Some days are better than others, and some hockey games are more exciting than usual. Then there are some days that are beyond great, and some hockey games that remind you exactly why you love the game so much. Last night’s game against Calgary was one of those games. Game 3 had so much excitement and electricity that it can only be compared to the playoffs of 2001. I was fortunate to attend every home playoff game in 2001, and this year, I had to make a grown up decision to stay in New York and go to work. I decided that flying out for one day, faking sick the next day when I actually would be flying back to New York was not the type of behavior a 33 year old should be partaking in. However, when the puck was about to drop and the infamous “Let’s Go Avs!” chant was echoing through the TV, the tears inevitably welled up… To hell with being an adult, I should be in The Can!
If I can’t be at the game, I can’t think of two other people to represent me than my mom and my brother.
However, the game was so exciting, I am thankful that I even got to watch a game like that. I had almost forgotten what such a beat down felt like. The Avs came out flying and never stopped. They put up 56 shots on net, the second most in the Avalanche franchise history, against the team who lead the league with shots against for the regular season. The most shots the Avalanche have ever put on goal was 57 in the Western Conference Semifinals vs. the Blackhawks in 1996. Needless to say the sputtering Flames could have used a little more fire power.
One of the keys to the Avalanche domination were their special teams, who finally were able to capitalize on the power play with two power play goals. Until last night, the Avs’ power play unit had been scoreless. It was MacKinnon, who had the OT game winner in Game 2, who scored the first goal on a 5 on 3 power play. He would get the second of the game shortly after, with Cale Makar, making his NHL debut at the age of 20, pounding in a goal late in the 1st period, giving the Avs a commanding 3-0 lead after one.
The Avs’ didn’t stop there, Nieto scored his second shorthanded goal of the series, but the Flames quickly retaliated, making it 4-1. However, the Avs didn’t slow down and got another two goals by Rantanen and Johnson. Brodie put in the final goal of the game for the Flames, where the onslaught would finally end at a 6-2 victory for the Avs.
To me, one of the greatest aspects of the game (and there were many) was the fact that the Flames didn’t play that badly, the Avs were just that much better. Smith made 50 saves, and didn’t stand much of a chance with everything the Avs were throwing at him. Calgary still won the majority of the face-offs, and scored a power play goal in one of their 6 chances. However, they did rack up 50 penalty minutes, where both Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk of the Flames received game misconducts in the third period.
Game 3 was all that hockey dreams are made of (depending on what side of the bench you are cheering for). It had a highlight reel of filthy goal after even filthier goal, with Makar’s first NHL goal that will be replayed on the jumbotron for years to come. However, one of the things that make playoff hockey so exciting, it the versatility of the game. It is a best of 7 series, where each game is different than the last. I suspect we will be seeing another type of game on Wednesday night. The Flames were the leaders of the Western Conference this year, and I have a feeling they will come out with fury. The Avs have to be ready to respond.
However, until tomorrow night comes, let’s all bask in the glory of all that last night was. It reminded exactly why I love the playoffs, and the Avalanche so fiercely. We have been through a rough decade, and then some. We have not won a playoff series since 2008, and this is the first time we have made the playoffs in back-to- back seasons since 2006. Last night, however, felt like we could have time traveled back to 2001, except now, I don’t have to have my mom drive me and my friends to the premier of the Pearl Harbor, while listening to Janet Jackson’s “All for you” in car. When I think about it, maybe it’s time to leave the past behind, and focus on the new era of the Avs. We will never be the All-Start packed squad we were, but that’s ok. Just like it is ok to never wear a pink terrycloth Juicy Couture jumpsuit again.
To the new era of the Avs! Long may it reign.