Author Archives: levelhead
Rinne remains; Avalanche surprise even themselves and re-sign Rinne
When Colorado acquired Jacob Markström earlier in the off-season, it was assumed by fans and management alike that Pekka Rinne would be plying his trade elsewhere during the 2019/20 SHL season. As it turns out, Colorado retained the services of their superstar (and expensive) netminder…
Colorado hovers above playoff bubble
After falling in the Western Conference Final to the San Jose Sharks in five games, the management staff of the Colorado Avalanche evaluated their off-season needs: offensive stalwart on the blueline, upgrade between the pipes, and a philosophical shift on the bench. Blueliner Tyson Barrie.…
Colorado wins OT thriller, moves to second round to face Detroit
Game Six of Colorado’s first round ended with an overtime goal. Unlike Game Three, which saw the Avalanche fall early in the extra frame, this game ended with handshakes and Colorado celebrating an incredibly tight six-game triumph over the St. Louis Blues. “The hard work…
Avalanche roll through Blues in 5-1 win
“Another whole-team effort,” observed Colorado head coach Matthew Barnaby. “When we play together, we win together.” Cliche aside, the Avalanche have put together two consecutive games of Barnaby’s so-called “whole-team effort” and are one win away from moving on to the next round after a…
Four-goal first period leads Colorado to Game Four triumph
Shortly after his team’s Game Three overtime loss, Colorado head coach Matthew Barnaby talked about needing a “whole-team effort” in order to win their first round series against the St. Louis Blues. Consider the message received. “Oh yeah,” said Patrik Laine, who scored his first…
Colorado special teams fail to secure Game Three victory
On a night in which the Colorado Avalanche outshot their opposition 35-19, the part of the scoreboard that mattered most reflected a 3-2 loss and, more importantly, a 2-1 series deficit. “We took it to them,” coach Matthew Barnaby said in his post-game press conference.…
Avalanche stars rise to the challenge
That huge sigh of relief you heard Tuesday evening coming from the west likely was the entire management staff of the Colorado Avalanche exhaling after the Colorado Avalanche scored just 64 seconds into their Game Two match-up against the St. Louis Blues. That second huge…
Game One quickly goes off-script
“Not the start we imagined.” Those were the words of Colorado head coach Matthew Barnaby shortly after the Avalanche skated off the ice at Pepsi Center to the tune of a 4-2 loss in Game One of their Western Conference quarterfinal series against the St.…
AVALANCHE TRANSFORM ROSTER WITH ONE MOVE
After years of collecting high draft picks and blue-chip prospects, Colorado now seems to be dishing them out like dumplings at Thanksgiving dinner. Only four weeks after sending up-and-coming sensation Vladislav Namestnikov to the Rangers for sniper Jordan Eberle, general manager Lance Lavelle on Sunday…
COLORADO ADDS SCORING WITH ACQUISITION OF EBERLE
Over the summer, general manager Lance Lavelle explored ways to upgrade his team’s scoring through free agency or a trade. Ultimately, he chose the status quo. That status quo lasted all of six games into the new season until Jordan Eberle become the newest member…