Go ahead, make your "ugly tie" jokes. We're used to it.
After the team record 12-game winning streak crashed to a halt,
Colorado started up with a brand new pattern.
Right when everyone was starting to say, "They'll never lose again!"
the Avalanche sputtered and lost a dull game to the always pesky
Flames, who seem to win three games a year, all against the
Avalanche.
Keeping up with the frequent-nemesis theme, the Coyotes - who've
suddenly discovered, after years of futility, how to beat Colorado
every time -- visited town and, as always this season, stomped
Colorado. The Avalanche wasted a couple 5-on-3 power plays and the
full-game absence of Keith Tkachuk.
After being manhandled by Phoenix, Colorado faced a daunting task:
the arrival of the mighty Flyers and a few thousand of their
transplanted fans, all loud and drunk. (The fans, not the Flyers.
Well, maybe the Flyers, too.)
All the fans -- those who weren't kicked out for fighting in the
stands -- witnessed a mighty fine game that left absolutely no one
satisfied.
The Avs came out and scored. Then Philly dominated for about 30
minutes (including a goal by former Av Keith Jones -- with his foot
in the crease! Ptah.). Then the Avs stormed back with three
third-period goals to take a 4-3 lead. Then John LeClair tied it
up.
Both goalies were amazing in OT, and it stayed a tie, and everyone
left -- the Flyers fans chanting "Let's Go Flyers," me giving the
finger to everyone in a Lindros jersey (except when they were
bigger than me).
On to Nashville, where the Avalanche had way too much trouble
earlier this year -- and again this time around. Colorado needed a
Joe Sakic hat trick to storm back from a 4-2 third period deficit
and tie again.
Then back to Dallas, where Colorado stole one a few weeks ago.
Patrick Roy played through a strained groin and matched Ed Belfour
save-for-save, as Colorado eked out a tie.
