Colorado

SALVAS: Top Places I Want The Avalanche To Play Next

Published

2 years ago

November 4, 2022

SALVAS: Top Places I Want The Avalanche To Play Next

This week, the Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blue Jackets will take to the ice in Helsinki, Finland… wait… it’s not in Helsinki?!

(Rapidly Googles “Tampere, Finland”)

Look, from what I’ve all the time identified about (checks earlier sentence for location) Tampere, it looks as if a stupendous spot and a stunning metropolis of roughly 245,000, the third most populated municipality in all of Finland! And don’t even get me began on it being the sauna capital of the world due to its abundance of public saunas (probably the most of any metropolis on the earth)! I’ve all the time mentioned that about (checks earlier sentence for location) Tampere!

This little journey throughout the Atlantic acquired me fascinated with different locations I’d wish to see the Avalanche play video games. When placing collectively this checklist, I took into consideration just a few elements:

Would town have ties to the group? This might be by means of the franchise or a sure participant.
Is there an historic venue that would function the backdrop for a recreation?
Would there be a spot in nature that would play host to a recreation very like Lake Tahoe did in 2021?
Do I even must make guidelines for this checklist?
Lastly, and most significantly: is it superior?

So with all that rattling round in my mind, let’s get into the checklist.

Honorable Mentions

Thriller, Alaska: Look, the child Stevie Weeks can skate the river, however the Avalanche would go up there and completely crush that group and doubtless smash all the city for generations. This isn’t the Rangers and their one Stanley Cup in 82 years…
Thompson Area (Dartmouth Faculty in Hanover, NH): After I labored for the Dartmouth hockey group, I used to go away a seat for Joe Sakic within the press field each recreation very like Ricky Bobby left tickets for his dad at each race. Not like Ricky’s loving father, my good friend Joe by no means confirmed up. This could be a great way for my dream to come back true. Dartmouth and Avalanche legend David Jones may drop the puck and there wouldn’t be a dry eye in the home.

My yard rink, New Hampshire: In the course of the first yr of Covid, the Ivy League shut down all sports activities and I had weekend free time on my arms for the primary time as an grownup. I had a younger son who I wished to get on skates, so I made a decision to construct a yard rink. My downside is often that I don’t half-ass something, so I spent all of that newly discovered free time and made an superior rink… an superior 20’x24’ rink! We had restricted flat area in our yard, in order that was what I may get away with. I added retired quantity banners, Stanley Cup banners (simply two on the time), state and nationwide flags, a center-ice emblem and each emblem in franchise historical past on the boards in chronological order. We’ve moved and the rink has grown a smidge larger in complete space, however I nonetheless assume it may deal with the highest professional hockey group on the earth for a fast recreation.

THE LIST:

Lake Lucerne, Switzerland vs. New Jersey

Why? Nicely as a result of while you consider Swiss hockey, you clearly consider legendary Avalanche goalie David Aebischer and Devils captain Nico Hischier! Nicely perhaps not everybody, however I do know I do! This could be an important recreation for the New Jersey captain as a type of homecoming, however it could additionally give us a nationwide broadcast that might make at least 10 references to the Devils taking Hischier No. 1 general and passing on Cale Makar (as did three different groups earlier than my good friend Joe snagged him at No. 4). I fell down a Google Maps deep rabbit gap searching for the proper place to play this recreation and I believed I discovered it… but it surely seems this place is definitely in France:

So I regarded once more and realized I’ve been to Switzerland and of the best locations I’ve been is a metropolis on a lake with mountains because the backdrop… excellent! Lake Lucerne and town of Lucerne and its surrounding cities are unimaginable. I don’t care the place you discover a spot there… simply discover one. As a result of it appears like this:

Cole Harbor, Nova Scotia vs. Pittsburgh

Why? Nicely, if I’ve to reply this for you, you haven’t adopted the NHL the final decade. The 2 prodigal sons of Cole Harbor with 4 Stanley Cups between them are legends of their hometown (and nationally, too). You may play this recreation in Halifax on the dwelling of the Mooseheads and that might make a ton of sense as a result of the venue may host an occasion like this. However let’s play this on the native rink the place the 2 grew up enjoying: Cole Harbor Place. It’s a rink/library/fitness center/playground/the whole lot in Cole Harbor and above the ice hanging from the rafters are the retired numbers of Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby. Let the MacKinnons, Crosbys and native hockey households in, maintain the gang low-key to replicate the small-town really feel of the sport. Then, arrange a display within the parking zone and open it to the general public such as you see through the playoffs in Edmonton, Toronto or Denver (during the Final).

Jenny Lake / Grand Teton Nationwide Park vs. Seattle

Why? Google this spot when you don’t already know what it’s. It’s one of the vital lovely locations I’ve ever been and I’d return once more in a second if given the chance. It’s additionally one state away from Colorado so I assume the Avalanche may declare it as their territory (however I’m certain Vegas will dispute that since they’re already attempting to assert all the West as theirs… heavy eye roll). Play this recreation in opposition to the Junior Avalanche (Seattle) and also you’d have an important match-up. This would wish a Tahoe-esque arrange on the aspect of Jenny Lake to get the Tetons within the background. Or you may signal Pierre-Édouard Bellemare again and play on the lake and provides him what he’s all the time dreamed about… in opposition to the man who crushed his desires throughout that press convention.

Lake Louise in Banff vs. Calgary

Mainly the identical kind of venue as No. 3, however most likely extra well-known. I’d love this recreation for therefore many causes, not the least of which might be how a lot it could piss off so many individuals wanting the Battle of Alberta to play right here. You already know what? That is my checklist and I don’t need to see the Oilers play. I don’t need Evander Kane to have any enjoyable, so I’m placing this recreation there between the Avs and Flames. Kadri and Zadorov in opposition to their former group. Cale Makar enjoying “at dwelling.” The battle between two groups that after traded Dean McAmmond to one another twice in the identical season with out realizing that you just couldn’t really try this… This historic match-up has all of it!

(That commerce with Calgary that despatched Chris Drury and Stephane Yelle to the Flames for McAmmond, Jeff Shantz and Derek Morris remains to be the one commerce that haunts me 20 years later…)

Quebec Metropolis vs. Montreal

Why? As a result of this can be a no-brainer. A slam dunk. For those who didn’t assume I used to be going right here, you then haven’t learn any of my earlier items. I’ve invested an excessive amount of of my life into following, obsessing over and blindly loving the Colorado Avalanche that I couldn’t return to my childhood group — the Quebec Nordiques — if the NHL ever figured it out and acquired them again within the metropolis the place the river narrows. That is certainly one of simply two video games I don’t have exterior. As an alternative, I would like it performed within the model new rink they constructed just a few years again that’s dwelling to the Ramparts now. Put the Avs of their unique Retro Reverse jerseys in order that the Nordiques emblem returns to the ice in Quebec, however nonetheless showcases the colour scheme of its Colorado life cycle. The very best of each worlds. Taking part in it in opposition to the Canadiens is a good homage to the previous rivalry, whereas additionally giving Avalanche followers the possibility to experience the truth that two in-season trades with the Habs led on to Stanley Cups (Patrick Roy and Arturri Lehkonen).

There may be magnificence in all the venues in Nos. 5 by means of 2, however there can be nothing extra lovely within the eyes of many hockey followers than seeing the Nordiques emblem (albeit an altered one on this situation) again the place it belongs.

Make it occur.

Video games I Don’t Care in regards to the Avalanche Taking part in in:

Colorado vs. Columbus anyplace
Colorado vs. Columbus in Finland

Might We See Historical past?

Within the lengthy, storied historical past of the Colorado Avalanche, they’ve by no means gained an everyday recreation exterior of North America! Are you able to imagine that?? That might all change this weekend with the Avs taking over the Jackets and attempting to erase this lengthy, painful a part of our franchise’s nice historical past. This unlucky streak has reached the insufferable determine of two and dates all the way in which again to 2017. Rattling you, Senators! You took our blissful, beloved and positively not disgruntled Matt Duchene with you and used him to beat us!

Many individuals are saying {that a} pair of victories this weekend may flip across the Colorado Avalanche franchise that has been reeling since that journey to Sweden 5 years in the past. Certain, some good issues have occurred since then… however the bitter style of that weekend in Stockholm nonetheless looms over the Colorado Avalanche and its fan base to at the present time.

The place would you need to see the Avs play?

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Colorado

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

Published

6 hours 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

Documentary on fentanyl crisis premieres in Colorado

Published

14 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Press Room

Documentary on fentanyl crisis premieres in Colorado

COLORADO SRPINGS, Colo. — The film’s director stresses, “We can do something about it.” A Colorado-produced documentary takes a hard, in-depth look at the fentanyl crisis in our state.

WATCH: A check back in on Fentanyl data in Southern Colorado

With the financial backing of Weld County rancher Steve Wells, Mountain Time Media spent the past 18 months creating Devastated: Colorado’s Fentanyl Disaster.

News5 spoke with the documentary’s director, Steffan Tubbs. Below are excerpts from that interview:

“Putting this film together, the one thing that I had to do as a filmmaker was to give justice to the families, the family members that you know decided to talk with a complete stranger and talk about their most devastating moments of their lives. And the one thing that has never been lost on me and I think will stick with me the rest of my life is these families in Colorado wanted to share their stories in hopes that other Colorado families would never ever have to experience the grief that they’ve gone through.”

“When you have children, they are your most precious asset. And my two sons are in their early 20s. And we focus on young teenagers that are never going to see their 21st birthday. And I think just as a concern Coloradan most certainly as a concerned father. So as a parent, I would just urge you, you don’t even have to like the film, but have the discussion. And the one thing that I will always have with me from these parents is yeah, it may be a tough conversation to have. But you’d rather have the tough conversation than plan a funeral.”

“We’ve got to crack down. And I will say… one of the leading prosecutors in the state of Colorado against the fentanyl epidemic, not thinking that the drug cartels are victims here, or drug dealers are victims, and that is Colorado’s fourth Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen… He understands it in the Colorado Springs area. The Fourth Judicial District, you all understand most of the prosecution’s dealing with fentanyl and fentanyl-related deaths or death resulting cases as they call it. It’s happening in Colorado Springs, we need to take that model, and we need to have it go coast to coast. This is not going away. The problem is only getting worse. And we can either all stand by and watch and go to another funeral in Colorado. Or we can do something about it.”

The film premieres in Colorado Springs May 18. The premiere is sold out, but anyone interested in watching the film can watch it onlinefor free.
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Colorado

Fieldside Chat | Midweek check-in with Cole Bassett and Chris Armas | Colorado Rapids

Published

21 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Press Room

Fieldside Chat | Midweek check-in with Cole Bassett and Chris Armas | Colorado Rapids

On the win over Vancouver

It was another tough game for us. We came out ahead on the night against a good team, it’s nice to see the boys win in a different way, to manage the game the way they did. After halftime being up a man, I thought it was a mature performance in the second half, which is never easy just because you’re up a man. I saw some good stuff there in the second half and we had a lot of control. Yes, it’s a shutout, which is really important. It’s a victory here for us at home. The fans once again came out. Pride night is so important to our club, to so many of our fans, and to our team. So yes, even extra special on the night. We look forward to a few days from now. We know what’s coming up.

On the upcoming contest with Real Salt Lake to clinch the Rocky Mountain Cup

I wish we were hosting this one. This Rocky Mountain Cup is such an important cup to us as a team and to our fans. It would have been nice if maybe we played one on the road and then one at home, or one home and one on the road. To have the first two on the road, it’s tricky but that’s what it is. The fact that we have the slight edge at the moment is what it is, it’s an edge. We have a lot of work to do to go there and get the trophy. However, I think you can go through an entire season and not really play for a trophy, and now we are 12 games in or so. The fact that we have a chance to bring one home this early in the season, that we’ve put ourselves in that spot, is a really big positive. We know Salt Lake, they’re a really good team. We’ve played them and we’ve gotten a look at them, but they also have managed a busy week. What team do they put out? It’d be hard to predict that and then even prepare in detail without knowing exactly who they’re putting out with two days [to go]. I think the most important thing is that we went there, we had a victory, and the guys have some confidence that we can go there again. To be clear, we will be going after that. It’s important to our fans. After the match tonight, I can’t say how many were chanting “Beat Salt Lake”, so we will go after them with everything that we have. I can promise our fans that.”

On the significance of winning the Rocky Mountain Cup to Rapids Homegrowns

If you ask those guys, they’ll tell you there’s extra motivation. Every game is a game, but it means a lot to our Homegrowns in our club, it’s ingrained in their blood and what they’ve been brought up with through here. It means a lot to our club, our Unified Team is gonna go for it as well. We’re going for it. Our Homegrowns are always extra motivated for that one. We have a lot of respect for what they’re doing. But we will go there, no doubt to try to bring home the win.

On Connor Ronan, Jonathan Lewis getting back from injury, updates to Djordje Mihailovic’s condition after being subbed off against Vancouver

Always good getting guys healthy, getting guys back on the field, getting the minutes to get deeper in the roster. I trust the guys that we have. You can see that that each of them brought what we thought. [Jonathan Lewis] all of a sudden becomes a guy in transition and in spaces can make something happen, and in those moments and we need to do better. But it’s good to see him back out there. And of course, I think we can all appreciate Connor Ronan’s quality that in that very moment, that he helps control things even more in the middle of the pitch, his decision-making and we’ve missed that. It was good that we could use that on the night. With Djordje Mihailovic, I haven’t gotten all the details yet, but it looks like right after the shot he felt that heel [injury] which is what he was battling recently. I would say it’s fairly minor and we’ll have to see how that responds.

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