DanO’s Avs Game O’ the Week 1/28/10
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild in-depth analysis
Wojtek Wolski played a solid game but failed to score
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Colorado played a decent game, if not for the bad line change right before the only goal.
You could say they played near-perfect defensive hockey, but the Trap is predicated on taking advantage of any mistake. The most remarkable thing about our offense is that the Minnesota goaltender played just one game and wasn’t that spectacular. The vast majority of the shots he faced were not difficult, and he wasn’t being bombarded. John Michael Liles had an exceptional game, especially good since he’s been in my doghouse recently. Our defense held the Wild pretty much in check the entire time until Sacco put the 4th line out to play Minny’s 2nd line for a minute with disastrous consequences (the only goal in the game.)
Offense was a different story all together. Apart from the top line, we couldn’t get any consistent pressure. While the defense was great in the D-zone, they managed the blue line poorly by letting far too many easily-played pucks leave the zone. Ryan Wilson was particularly frustrating to watch, as he was served two one-timers in the third with a clear line of site and fanned on both of them. Wojtek Wolski had a decent game, but pushed the puck wide from 15’ on his best scoring chance of the night. Stas and Stewie had their chances too, but could only get a really good shooting situation once between them. (A goal of the Trap is to take away all the good shooting situations).
In the 2nd period, the Avalanche got a two-on-one via a center try by Mikku Koivu that deflected out to Hannan in perfect position to make an outlet pass. The defender played it terribly, allowing the pass from Stas to Stewie and then failing to take the shot away. Stewy went top shelf far side against a moving Harding and nearly made it work. It looked like a lucky save to me. A more talented goaltender who was a bit smaller would have missed it. Then again, that’s why they pay big men to be goaltenders.
I’m not too terribly disappointed in the Avs’ performance… although they should have won. These game will happen, and the more the league move toward control hockey, the more the Avs will get easier games to make up for these. I like where the Avalanche have themselves, and I think in a month when the Canucks make their way back to Vancouver, the ‘Lanche should be right back in front of the Division. However, when the Avs play Columbus next week keep in mind: the deck is loaded.
