The Avalanche were the first team in the league to hit the two games (in North America, where things count) mark, and played what look like two vastly different games. I was able to record and watch the first game (Stars at Avs), but was only able to experience the second (Avs at Predators) through the magic of the internet, and the calm, cool, informative demeanor of message boards. Let’s do a little breakdown:

Stars at Avs:

This was a game that was flat out owned by the second line of Paul Stastny, Andrew Brenette, and Jaroslav Hlinka. Owned. With massive internet misspelling (pwned, onwed, ow3nd, create-your-owned). Wojtek Wolski, who had a lot of questions about him, answered some of them right away. The biggest disappointment was the first line, of Sakic, Smyth, and Hejduk, if only that they didn’t light the place on fire and play heavy metal music. In fact, they were a little slow, and not that creative overall.

Peter Budaj stood on his head at times, and even though the Stars made a comeback, the last few minutes of play were nerve-wracking due to the intensity, but Budaj made the saves, and did the do. Hard to complain.

I have thoughts on the penalty kill that are brilliant and insightful, but they would involve video and arm waiving, neither of which are available to you over this internet connection. Still, the first power play goal by the Stars (which was the second goal) was not the fault of the Avalanche player closest to the goal scorer, it was the fault of those who were far from the goal scorer (did I just blow your mind?).

Overall, a good game, with the first career hat trick for Paul Stastny, and two points in the hip pocket.

Find you blogger based game recaps at:
JibbleScribbits
Mile High Hockey
In The Cheap Seats
Colorado Avalanche Talk

Avs at Preds:

But, the good times can’t last forever. Sometimes, they don’t even last for a day.

The game trudged on while I was at work, out in the audience, so I could only keep track via the NHL.com scoring machine (which I am no fan of in it’s current incarnation), and the fore-mentioned message board. As far as I can tell, said board was in complete freakout mode, and the Avs did not show up for the game. I heard of lazy skating, a tired Budaj, and classic Coach Q line changing.

Budaj was replaced by Tyler Weiman, who will be sent down promptly when Jose Theodore is standing and skating on both legs. Weiman stopped all ten shots that came his way in his first ever regular season Avs game. Weiman, whom you will be hearing more about here in the coming days, will most likely be spending the rest of the season in Lake Erie (not in the lake, see, the team is…oh, nevermind), unless someone really pisses Coach Q off, and gets his ass sent down (fat chance, at least at the sending).

So, two points one night, being shut out the next. Thems the brakes.

Game recaps from your friendly neighborhood Avs bloggers will be posted when they are available. Hey, you get the linky when I get the linky. No sooner.

I’m not worried. I don’t panic early, I wait until the third period. It’s a long season, gotta pace myself.

EDIT: Game recaps are trickling in:

Colorado Avalanche Talk

JibbleScribbits

In The Cheap Seats

Mile High Hockey

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