Author Archive for J Scott Moore
I'm an irascible rec-hockey player, your typical ‘lunch pail’ player. A Colorado native, I was raised on Broncos football, with occasional minor league and Colorado (hockey) Rockies games thrown in. With the arrival of the Colorado Avalanche and my crazy idea to learn to ice skate (and eventually play hockey) at the age of 33, I fell in love with hockey, finally. You can find me here: Real Denver Sports and here: Twitter
Thank My Lucky Socks
On July 1st I prepared for the big day by putting on my lucky Colorado Avalanche socks. As the day progressed and the Avalanche made nary a ripple in the free agent pool, I reminded myself that this was a pretty good team last year. And the deafening quiet from the Avalanche front office is legendary…in [...]
Ryan Smyth and what if…
Nearly a year after the Colorado Avalanche traded Ryan Smyth I can’t help but think…what if?
What’s more irksome about the deal is that it was likely nothing more than a salary dump. Terry Frei of the Denver Post has said as much and has speculated that Greg Sherman would not have traded Smyth if he [...]
Avs Can’t Hold off the Sharks
The Colorado Avalanche didn’t start game six the way the wanted to, allowing an early goal by the San Jose Sharks. It didn’t end the way they wanted it to either.
The San Jose Sharks came out in the third with the Thornton line reunited and buzzing around the Avs’ net. It foreshadowed the future.
The Avs [...]
Avs as Ugly as a Great White
That was about the ugliest game I’ve seen this team play. As an Avs fan I’m tempted to think that the Avs made the Sharks look good.
If I’m a Sharks fan I’ve got to be thinking, “Finally, a dominating performance!”
Realistically it’s in between. The Avs really let the Sharks take it to them and were [...]
For Avs-Sharks, it’s About Time
Just over a minute into game four between the Avalanche and the Sharks, a goat found redemption and a hero became human again.
Dan Boyle was a very unlucky guy in game three. With a little help from the Avs’ Ryan O’Reilly he managed to score on his own goal and hand a win to the [...]
Sharks “Feel Good” About Themselves
Fans of the Colorado Avalanche can feel good about how this team is performing so far in the playoffs. The players obviously feel pretty good about how they have played so far. Despite the game two OT loss, there was little talk of one that got away, blah-blah-blah. They know the deal; they weren’t even [...]
Those Damn Kids, Can’t Tell Them Anything!
The Colorado Avalanche came out flying around in their first playoff game and looked great. That wasn’t supposed to happen. Did someone forget to tell the Avs they have no chance?
Was it just plain ignorance?
Maybe these guys haven’t been reading the papers? Cause if they were they would know better. They aren’t supposed to win. [...]
Avalanche in the Playoffs
If you are a fan of the Colorado Avalanche you have a vested interest in who they are going to face in the playoffs. But you don’t have any say in the matter. Doesn’t keep the fans from speculating.
Some argued that the Blackhawks are a vulnerable team with the defensive injuries and the questionable goaltending. [...]
“Skills Competition” Decides the East. And, so What?
I’m obviously in the minority here. I have no problems with the shootout. In fact I like it.
If it’s so wrong to have a player skate in alone on the goalie why not whistle a breakaway dead like an offside play?
If it’s so wrong to have a player skate in alone on the goalie why [...]
That’s Why They Play the Games
The Colorado Avalanche aren’t the only ones that have had an erratic week or two. The fans that live and die with this team have had a rough time as well. There’s been everything from declaring the Avs “done” to rationalizing that it would be a good thing to miss the playoffs.
Even Avs beat writer [...]
The Avalanche Control Their Own Clichés
In a game Wednesday night where the Colorado Avalanche still “controlled their own destiny,” it turns out they didn’t “play a full 60 minutes” or “do the little things” that they needed to do to “stay in the driver’s seat.”
That would be the playoffs driver’s seat in case you aren’t current with locker room jargon.
After [...]
Duchene Needs to Lead Avs into Playoffs
Sunday night the Colorado Avalanche played the San Jose Sharks to a 4-3 loss. The Avs certainly played a better game than the one in Phoenix the previous night, but the Sharks were playing their backup goalie, Thornton was out and Rob Blake took a maintenance day. Sooo…maybe not.
The Avs are in a slump and [...]
The Avalanche are Consistently, Inconsistent
Some things aren’t what they seem. Take the Phoenix Coyotes for example. Not as good as everyone would have you think right now. And the Sharks that were recently bumped for a mere day or two from their top spot in the division by the aforementioned Yotes? Yeah, they aren’t that bad either.
And the Colorado [...]
Joe Sacco’s Party Trick
You know that friend of yours that tells the same joke or does that same cheesy trick at every party? Everyone knows a guy like that, right? And the thing about it: it’s one of those “funny-once” things.
Joe Sacco is one of those guys.
But it’s no joke and the trick isn’t working.
Sacco’s “trick” is his [...]
Race for the Calder
The Calder trophy talk shifts and alters throughout the season as wide-eyed rookies adapt, or don’t, to the reality of playing 82 games against the best hockey players in the world. It’s a challenge that deserves admiration; the dedication both mentally and physically that is exacted on these young men is immense.
Let’s take a look [...]
Avs Falter vs. Frantic Flames
The Avs played with a lot of hustle and toughness but not a lot of smarts. But there’s a silver lining. Let’s break it down…
Hustle
It took the Avs nearly half the game to get their motor running. But it was the unlikely line of Ryan O’Reilly, Kevin Porter and Marek Svatos that suddenly gelled like [...]
Mueller?…Mueller?…Mueller?…
I’ve been wrong before. It happens. And most of the time I have no problem admitting when I’m wrong.
When the Colorado Avalanche traded Wojtek Wolski for Peter Mueller I was skeptical that Mueller was going to contribute much and I said as much. He had a nice rookie year and it been all downhill since.
So [...]
The Revenge of Wojtek Wolski
Just the day after the Avs and Phoenix swapped players Wojtek Wolski and Peter Mueller, the teams faced off in Phoenix.
The game started with Cody McLeod reminding Wojtek Wolski that he now played for the enemy. McLeod gave Wolski a few rough shoves in front of the net within the first minutes of the game.
Wolski [...]
Avs Bring Yelle Home
Avs fan favorite Stephane Yelle has come home. Frankly I have no idea where Yelle lives, but no matter, the Avs fans feel he is one of ours. I can’t disagree!
Yelle was a part of two Stanley Cup-winning teams with Colorado.
While the opinion on Twitter about the Wolski trade was about 50-50, the Yelle trade [...]
Wojtek Wolski traded to Phoenix
The Colorado Avalanche have pulled the trade-day trigger in what is bound to be a bit of a controversial move for the next couple seasons.
Wolski for Coyote forwards Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter.
While Wolski has been loudly chided by many in this town as a guy that lacks heart, there is no denying that he [...]
Memo to the Avs: Red Wings Healthy Again
Much to the Avs fans consternation, the 3rd jerseys, a.k.a. the Blueberries seem to be the customary threads on alumni night. So show up to see your favorite Avalanche players of the past and then watch the young and talented Avs of today struggle under the weight of these cursed sweaters.
The youthful energy managed to [...]
John-Michael Liles in a No-Win Situation?
A few years ago Avalanche fans, the media and management, in other words everyone, couldn’t stop talking about the speed and scoring ability of the Avs young defenseman. JM Liles was going to be the new Sandis Ozolinsh. Who cared if his defensive skills were… shall we say, average?
Eventually people care, especially after a player [...]
The Curious Case of Marek Svatos
Svatos seems to be playing his NHL career in a rather curious fashion. Svats first year in the league saw him playing like a crafty veteran, slipping between the defense to set up in front of the net. Snipping was his game and he was good at it, putting up 32 goals in the 2005-06 [...]
Veterans? We don’t need no stinkin’ veterans!
The Colorado Avalanche kicked the pants off the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday night. And they did it with the wily rookies. After a slow start in the first, the Avs got things going and spent enormous amounts of time in the Columbus zone cycling the puck.
So much time that the BJ’s iced it out of [...]
Avs Slumping
The Colorado Avalanche are on a three game skid. No one seriously thinks that the wheels are falling off, at least no one that you should take seriously. But something’s just not right in Avs Country.
Goalie Craig Anderson is looking ordinary. This team relies on Anderson to keep them in games on a regular basis. [...]
Avalanche Meet the Rangers
The Avs are coming off a couple of disappointing back-too-back games. The Minnesota Wild, a team that isn’t likely to make the playoffs, nonetheless beat the Avs in the season series 5-1! As the saying goes, you gotta beat the teams that you are supposed to beat! C’mon guys! So much for the Avs six [...]
The Avalanche “Get It”
Was a time, earlier this season that the Avalanche faithful were loath to see a two goal lead, especially going into the third period. The Avs had a way of giving up those leads and often losing those games. There’s a great little analysis of it over at Mile High Hockey. It’s well known in [...]
And the Rookies Regale
Going into this season the Colorado Avalanche knew they were going to be depending on rookies. And they knew they were going to be playing them in key positions and for respectable minutes.
The experts knew this too and the last thing they gave the Avalanche was respect.
They were predicted to finish anywhere from 14th in the [...]
Predators @ Avalanche
As the Avs head into this game, the thing they need to concentrate on is momentum. They’ve won seven of their last ten. This team has thrived lately on wins, their own as well as that of the Predators.
The Preds have won six of their last ten. They’ve recently been on a mini-tour of the [...]
Avs Hammer the Oil
After a great performance on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils, Avs fans were wondering if this team would keep their foot on the pedal against the Oil or play down to the competition.
Going into tonight’s game against the Oil I couldn’t help but be a bit surprised by this quote by Ethan Moreau, “We’re [...]
Avs host the Devils, What NOT to Wear
It’s no secret in Denver that the third jerseys are a flop. The Avs have yet to record a regulation win in the new duds. Yep, the new duds are a dud.
Saturday afternoon the Avs host the New Jersey Devils and will try to blind Martin Broduer with their fashion statement. It might be the [...]
Who is Ryan Wilson?
Let’s just get the basic data out of the way, Wilson, a native of Windsor, ON shoots left and is listed on the Avs roster as 6’1” and 207, he is 22 years old. Wilson was an undrafted defenseman playing for the OHL’s Sarnia Sting when he was signed by the Calgary Flames in 2008 [...]
Avs @ Flames pregame
The Avs and Flames battle for 1st place tonight in Cal-Gary. If the Avalanche registers a regulation win and get the same from the Preds vs. Vancouver, we’ll be golden and sitting atop the Northwest. Take those sloppy seconds, Calgary! But there is a bigger picture here: just one point by the Avs tonight means [...]
Avalanche Split the East Coast Trip
Friday night the Colorado Avalanche continued their road warrior ways, leading the NHL in road games the Avs played back-to-backs at Carolina and Buffalo.
Joe Sacco appears to be warming up to the conventional thinking of most coaches of playing the backup in these situations. Previously Sacco has ridden Craig Anderson through nearly every game of [...]
The Curse of the Smurf
Avs fans have had enough of these cutsie-smurf jerseys. Grant Beery, the author of Hockeyism.com has written about the frustration of the Avs fans with this new third jersey. The Avs rolled out these horrible new jerseys just this season. Jerseys have been burned in Denver before; the Denver Broncos burned their second-hand jerseys, including the infamous [...]
Colorado Avalanche’s Matt Duchene is December’s Rookie of the Month
Matt Duchene led all rookie scoring in December with 13 points, five goals and eight assists. While Duchene started off the season at a rather pedestrian pace he has picked it up as his comfort level in the league has increased. The fact that he is playing with better line mates doesn’t hurt either, swapping Marek Svatos [...]
Tough Road Trip for Liles, Not Bad for the Avs
The Colorado Avalanche hit the road on a 3-game trip, facing Ottawa, Detroit and Columbus. But for John-Michael Liles, it was a road trip to forget. Youngster Kyle Cumiskey returned to the line up from an injury and Coach Joe Sacco found himself with too many healthy defensemen. Someone had to sit. Not too many [...]
Avalanche Fans Want a Winter Classic in Denver
Chris Botta over at FanHouse talks a little about the dangers and fears that the NHL face when staging an outdoor event. If you don’t live in the Denver area you might think it’s too warm here to host the Winter Classic. Even some people that live here don’t think that it would be a [...]
A little 1st place in your stocking
Frank Sinatra sang:
I’ll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents ‘neath the tree
Here in Colorado we have snow, mistletoe and the best present ‘neath the tree a hockey fan could ask for, 1st in the Northwest.
But who’s at home for Christmas isn’t who we thought it would be. Earlier [...]
David Koci is about to be run out of Denver
Oh please, please say it isn’t so! After Colorado fans have stood by their fallen comrade, Steve Moore for years, please say that Colorado isn’t the home of the newest, most evil, most hated, boo-when-he-touches-the-puck villain in the league! David Koci’s hit on Mike Green is the talk of the town. And word is Koci [...]
The Avs D needs to get tougher
The Colorado Avalanche have starting goalie, Craig Anderson back in net tonight after missing four games due to an injury inflicted by goalie killer, Keith Ballard. If players continue to run Craig Anderson then I think it’s time a message was sent to the league. And I don’t mean the front office.
The Avs take on [...]
Avs Eastern Conference Road Trip
The Colorado Avalanche took a three game run through the Eastern conference picking up three points out of a possible six. Not bad, not great. The Avs took it to the Lightning in the first game and Matt Duchene caught fire, seemingly appearing out of nowhere with 7 points in the last 5 games. Chris [...]
Colorado Avalanche at the halfway mark in division
The Colorado Avalanche wrapped up the back-to-back against the Minnesota Wild this weekend in poor fashion. Limping away with a mere one point, the Avs aren’t the only ones limping. David Jones, second on the team in goals is effectively done for the season with a torn ACL. The winger has been struggling with injuries [...]
Avalanche Have Great 2nd Period Against Nashville
The Colorado Avalanche got a point tonight in another up & down game. With the Nashville Predators in town for a pre-Thanksgiving game, the Avs decided to take the first period to work on tomorrow’s menu.
Just 3 minutes into the period the Preds were on the power play and made good on it for the [...]
Rooting for the Guy in Orange
Being a long time Bronco fan I’m used to rooting for guys in orange. The Broncos basically abandoned the orange in 1997, not that the fans did.
But now that Ian Laperriere is playing for the Philadelphia Flyers, I have no choice but to root for the guy in orange once again!
Lappy played in a Colorado [...]
