Game One Was No Fun. That Rhymed.

At the conclusion of tonight’s tilt against Calgary I felt that this series could maybe, somehow, go the Avs’ way. And then Mike Smith sent a tape to tape pass to Matthew Tkachuk for an empty net goal. 

I want to feel like the Avalanche are in this series. Against the Flames the Avs came out running and dominated the first period. Mikko Rantanen looked good. Samuel Girard was feisty. Eric Johnson looked stout. And then attrition set in. 

Calgary has all but owned the Avalanche in their matchups this year. The Avalanche have held leads only to watch them evaporate. This time they never even had the chance. Mike Smith’s glove would not allow it. 

There is still hope. The Avs have plenty of chances; I doubt Smith can stand on his head forever. But this team needs to stand tall for all three periods to avoid playing catch up. 

Five Thoughts

1. Why does Matthew Tkachuk make me hate him?! 

There are few players in my life who I have admired more than Keith Tkachuk. His name is the sound of hockey.  Along with John LeClair and Jeremy Roenick, Tkachuk set the standard for cocky, brash, American power forward hockey players. These fighter pilots were a band of pricks that stood up against the Canadians. They were our douchebags, and I loved them—even when Roenick was busy getting shut down by Patrick Roy and John LeClair was Legion of Doom-ing around Philadelphia. 

Now along come the Tkachuk brothers, led by Matthew, and I have no doubt they will both have long careers scoring in tight spaces while punching as many throats as they can handle. That Calgary gets to enjoy Matthew’s services infuriates me and I can’t stop watching. He’s my spirit animal. 

2. Mike Smith has the dumbest goalie mask in the history of the game. 

Let me get this straight. At some point the decision was made to create a goalie mask in Jofa red-brown and then paint ears on it. Is it an homage? Is it a joke? Is Smith saving up for something better?

Something tells me it was created in earnest. That thing was designed and then held aloft before god and country for all to see! It looks like a beer league mask from the 80’s. But not the nostalgia inducing parts of the 80’s, the parts when your parents couldn’t afford a black helmet for midgets and instead borrowed a helmet from your weird cousin. 

And then painted ears on it. 

3. From the Peter McNabb files:

(Paraphrasing his observation after a Jared Bednar bench interview early in the first period): 

“That is what is great about Coach Bednar. He listened to the question and he answered the question. Those are just great coaching skills. What more can you ask?”

Nothing. I ask for nothing more. He behaved as a human should after being asked a question by another human. Perhaps he could teach that skill to other humans? Your observation was spot on Peter. Have a lollypop. 

4. So Patrick Nemeth showed up for the playoff game today. I forgot to mention him on my previous post but that’s the point. He’s a good, hard nosed, defensive player and his poke check on a charging Tkachuk in the first period was what the Avalanche need more of if they are going to stand a chance the rest of this series. It’s time to get punchy and mean!

5. The bright side of this loss today was that the Avalanche will remain in the same time zone as Denver when they play their next game of hockey. That’s it. That’s the bright spot. 

Bonus:

Mark Rycroft wore a blue checked suit with a hot pink tie and pocket square. In fact two of three of the Avalanche desk guys wore some kind of checked ensemble. I think Denver may want to ease up a little bit. Maybe take a step back, have some coffee, sober up a bit, and reflect on how they got here. I’m kind of worried for my city. 

Next up: Game two in the land where the cowboys say “eh”.