Avs playoff push; too much pressure

It’s been an unexpectedly warm March on record for Denver, but on the ice it seems extra cold.

The Colorado Avalanche have lost 4 straight games, during the most inopportune time to go on a chilly streak. They’ve given away, surrendered, and just haven’t found a win to put the closing marks against teams that right there in the hunt with them.

The sharks (including San Jose) have now come and gone. And they have left the young, late-game resilient team to flounder around hoping for one last gasp.

With three games remain, two of which come at the Pepsi Center, the Avs sit just two points out of 7^th place. So they aren’t that far out of postseason play, and they have played as good as any team in the league during spurts this year, but it feels like they are a million miles away.

Every game is said be “the most important game of the year”, and then restated over and over again to no end.

You cannot expect a team to get-up for a game-7 type atmosphere night after night, and then say they have a do-over. (Even though us naïve sports fans would like to think they play with the same heart if Lord Stanley’s Cup were on the line.) It’s physically and mentally exhausting.

Colorado still has an opportunity to get 6 points and get into the mix. They will have to play better hockey to do so, and a little less pressure wouldn’t hurt.

Colorado Signing Day-Part 3, No Colorado love

Much like Embree’s first tumultuous season as head coach, one with seemingly more downs than ups, his first complete recruiting cycle didn’t finish without a few regrets. There are always a few fish that inevitably get away. 

But what Embree didn’t expect, especially in his first year when the changes around the program were more transparent close up, is that this bait would not work as well as it did inside the state of Colorado.  

“We didn't do a good enough job,” Embree said of his ability to keep kids at home. “We got three kids. We missed on some of them.”  

            The trio that the Buffs signed included Tyler Henington, from Mullen, Clay Norgard, from Mountain Vista and Derek McCartney, the grandson of former Buffs coach Bill McCartney. Several others in the state were undecided until the final moments but in the end chose to leave Colorado and play football elsewhere.

“When I say 'we', I mean 'me'. I've got to continue to try and figure out what it is that we need to do,” said Embree taking personal accountability for all things surrounding the program. “We'll continue to work at it and we'll keep doing our best at it and eventually it will turn."

This is the second year in a row that Colorado had a disappointing showing at home. Last year the only two Colorado-native recruits to come to Boulder were Brady Daigh and Marc Mustoe.    

Embree has made a consummate effort to recruit with the state, and keep the good talent, that happened to beat the Buffs a time or two this past season, on their side. But as Colorado begins its imminent climb it, a restoration of sorts, the ability to recruit the state will be much easier.  

            “As we get more successful, I hope that translates first off on kids wanting to stay home and be a part of it,” said Embree.

ESPN Ultimate Standings: Denver Sports Snub

Just another Denver snub.

People outside of the Mile High region have no idea what goes on in the beautiful city of Denver. We get stereotyped as ski-bums, granola mountain men, and amateur sports fans. When in truth the people are nothing near those.

And when someone questions our fan-hood, the way ESPN did by ranking the Denver Broncos #86, Denver Nuggets #42, Colorado Rockies #8 and Colorado Avalanche #64 there must be a strong reaction.

The rankings pit the popular teams against the not-so popular teams. It's the third grade grade talent show all over again, where the loudness of crowd determines the winner. Just because you are the loudest, doesn't mean you deserve to win. (That's right Jimmy, I said it. I want that ribbon.)

Also the way the categories are determined and ranked is completely subjective and ludicrous.

For example, there is a section on 'Ownership'. First, how is this in any way important? Secondly, how in the world can you rank owners of franchises? (Is there a fantasy draft I can join?). Yet, the Nuggets are ranked 51st, the Avalanche 72nd and the St. Louis Rams 80th in this bogus sub-sectoin and ALL are owned by the same person, Stan Kroenke.

Obviously the object of winning is going to factor into heavily how well eat team did, because if you are winning everything else doesn't seem so bad. The price of hot dogs appears reasonable, the quality of stadium can be rationalized; there is a general glaze over the fans eyes.

But this doesn't seem to be the case with Denver. This, our city, has one of the richest traditions of success in all of sports. (If not always in the form of Championships.) The Rockies 2007 World Series appearance, Nuggets 50-plus wins the last 4 years, Broncos 2 Super Bowls and Avalanche 2 Stanley Cups.

Most other cities don't win as much as Denver, and then get more publicity than Denver. Just saying.

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/teamrankings

For The Love Of The Game

It’s really kind of funny how some things come together… and here are a couple of them. (No pun intended, you’ll see why.)
[One of my favorite movies, probably ever, but has very little to do with this post.]

Today there were 2 major retirements; Peter Forsberg and Ronaldo.

Both outstanding players are, well were, some of the greatest in their respective sports. They played the game with great passion and respect that was palpable as we watched from afar. They adored the mental, physical, and emotional grind that comes with the fame and the game. And it brings both these men to tears to say that they will not be able to continue competing.

After being away from the NHL for 3 years, Forsberg came back to the game because of love, and he’ll leave due to the same exact reason. He made a promise to his wife to-be that he would not put his health at risk. Classic Foppa; loyal as they come.

Ronaldo is a worldwide icon and Brazilian hero. A lot like Forsberg he was forced to hang it up after physical ailments hinders the back-end of his career. And who did he retire from, Corinthians Soccer Club…

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

- 1 Corinthians 13

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone….

Foppa Should Stoppa

One of my favorite personal sports moments of all time came at Invesco Field at Mile High. And it had nothing to do with the Broncos.

So we’re walking out after the game and there are religious mavericks with Christ trademarked megaphones. They yell ‘Jesus Saves’, and right on cue, in perfect Alan Roach tone somebody says ‘And Sakic scores on the rebound’. Classic.

That reminiscent moment brings me back to the golden days of Avalanche hockey and the Peter Forsberg comeback.

If you have watched the first games of his return to the league where he gained fame and fans adornment, then you probably feel a lot like me, disappointed. Forsberg appears tentative, sluggish, and unproductive.

And I feel bad for the guy. All he wants to do is play hockey, and play it well. But at 37 years young his body, bad foot and all, won’t let him do what his mind thinks is still possible. The game has moved on and sadly, so should Peter the Great.

[And that gets me thinking… how personalities, both good and bad, get extended media coverage and everyone suffers.]