For the Avalanche faithful who watched Andy carry this team from the season’s opener versus these Sharks at Pepsi Center (a 5-2 win) all the way to a playoff birth, through two epic games in San Jose, and back to Pepsi Center for a crucial Game 3 win, Craig Anderson has come full circle.
The Avalanche had their chances, moving the puck well, attacking with speed through the Neutral Zone, and generally controlling the flow of play. However, Colorado simply failed to convert good scoring chances into goals throughout the game.
Despite an early-season demotion to Lake Erie (AHL) and a shoulder injury at Dallas, the Avalanche expect great things from young Master Stoa in coming seasons.
It may have surprised Avalanche fans when 18-year-old Ryan O’Reilly started his rookie season in the NHL, but Ryan has an impressive resume to back up Coach Joe Sacco’s decision. In fact, Ryan O’Reilly has been on the fast-track to the NHL for years.
Listen to this recipe for disaster… Your Captain just retired. Your GM just turned over the coaching staff and brought in a host of inexperienced young players. You start the season with two games at home; one against last year’s best regular season team (the San Jose Sharks) and the next against division rival Vancouver. [...]
