Colorado

After “riding the emotional roller coaster,” former Avs center Matt Duchene’s quest for a Cup includes knockout of former team

Published

2 years ago

May 18, 2024

Press Room

After “riding the emotional roller coaster,” former Avs center Matt Duchene’s quest for a Cup includes knockout of former team

Of course it came down to the puck on Matt Duchene’s stick.

It figures because of his history in this building and this state.

It figures, too, because he had his fingerprints all over Game 6.

Double overtime. Running on fumes. A week that turned the Avalanche’s season upside down.

It’s been a long time since Duchene played for Colorado at this point (although, fans still boo him at Ball Arena). It’ll be a long time before he forgets this one. He just has to remember exactly what happened, first.

“I don’t even know. I think I ended up on my knees,” said Duchene, who did indeed drop to the ice, make a big heart shape with his arms and then punched through it before getting mobbed by his teammates. “I have no idea, to be honest with you. It’s just elation, right? Hard-fought series. They’re a hell of a team, obviously.

“They were really good the last two games and they pushed us.”

The 33-year-old was the No. 3 overall pick by Colorado in the 2009 draft, then played the first nine years of his career for the Avalanche before he asked to be traded and was eventually dealt for four players and three draft picks in November 2017.

Two times before he slammed home the game-winner from point blank range 91-plus minutes into the night, Duchene nearly helped the Stars to victory.

In the first overtime, he won a faceoff and posted up in front of the net, tussling with Cale Makar. Mason Marchment ripped a shot cleanly past Alexander Georgiev, but Duchene was called for interfering with Georgiev and the call withstood a long review.

“I haven’t seen the replay, really, of the no goal,” Duchene said. “I’ll leave it at that. I think you just stay with it. It can be a little tough to reset after you think it’s over and you hope it’s over. It’s a gut punch a little bit, but that’s what we do.”

Early in the second overtime, Duchene got a walk-in chance on Georgiev but couldn’t find the back of the net as the goaltender splayed out to make a stop.

Then, finally, he put Dallas into the Western Conference Final. He’s rarely been part of a run like this during his 15 seasons.

That’s nine years in Colorado, one-plus in Ottawa, a stretch run in Columbus and four in Nashville before signing with the Stars in the offseason.

“At 33, I think there’s a certain level of appreciation that you have that you wouldn’t have had as a young player,” Duchene said. “… I probably let it stress me out more than it’s been fun at times just because you want it so bad, but I’m starting to relax a little bit more and it’s getting to be a lot of fun as we go on here.”

Now the Stars are into the final four and the veteran center will be a key part of the puzzle as they try to find eight more wins.

“Really happy for ‘Dutchy’. He’s ridden the confidence roller coaster here in the second half (of the season),” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said. “Some high highs and some low lows. It was probably about as low as he could be after Game 5. That’s why our group is special. I thought they rallied around him and he was maybe our best player tonight.”

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Colorado

Colorado teen who survived shark attack walks runway at Avalanche charity event

Published

2 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Colorado teen who survived shark attack walks runway at Avalanche charity event

DENVER (KDVR) — A Colorado teenager who lost her leg in a shark attack isn’t just walking again; she’s sharing the spotlight with one of her favorite hockey players.

Seventeen-year-old Annabelle Carlson took the runway Sunday at the Colorado Avalanche’s annual charity brunch, an event that raises money for community programs supported by Kroenke Sports Charities. The fundraiser, now in its third decade, is considered one of the team’s most impactful events of the year.

Carlson walked arm-in-arm with Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, drawing applause from a crowd of more than 450 attendees.

Standing tall again has been a long journey for the Colorado high school student. Carlson lost her leg after surviving a shark attack during a family trip to Belize in 2024. Since then, she has undergone multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.

“I think being negative about things like this — it takes such a toll on how you view yourself and how you get through things,” Carlson said. “But I’d rather see everything like, not everything you lose is a loss.”

Carlson has now returned to skiing and hopes to pick back up with playing her favorite sport, lacrosse. But it took a lot of guts and resilience to get to where she is now.

“In my eyes, she’s extraordinary,” Landeskog said. “What she’s gone through at that age, it’s not easy to do.”

The charity event highlights children who have overcome serious medical challenges, pairing them with Avalanche players for a runway walk to spotlight their strength. Players also served brunch and helped auction off team gear and game tickets.

“It was really cool to meet him,” Carlson said of Landeskog. “It’s definitely a flex. Not everyone gets to meet the Avalanche. I’m super lucky and super excited to be here.”

Having gone through some injuries of his own, including damage to his knee, which took him out of play for several seasons, Landeskog said Carlson’s attitude is remarkable.

“She’s young, she’s brave,” he said. “I feel like she’s got a better head on her shoulders than I do, so I feel like I can learn a lot from her as well.”

The team said many players stay in touch with the children and their families long after the event ends, adding that the annual brunch is a day the whole team looks forward to each year.

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Colorado

++[LIVESTREAMS]TV!! New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Live 𝖲𝗍𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗆

Published

14 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC live: New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC look to seize control of thrilling New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC . Every team in the New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC has two wins apiece as we go into the final two game weeks. New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will host New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Park Stadium with the New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC a single point ahead of New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the standings and just one behind leaders New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC .

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Colorado

+)WAY TO WATCH Ｆｒｅｅ New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC LIVE

Published

1 day ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC LIVE GAME: New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC look to seize control of thrilling New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Every team in the New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC has two wins apiece as we go into the final two game weeks. New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will host New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Park Stadium with the New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC a single point ahead of New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the standings and just one behind leaders New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

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