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Yes, no NHL, but there's still hockey to enjoy.
I was supposed to be back with the start of the NHL season, but there's not too much chances for that to happen too soon. Still, thanks to the internet connection, some money that I really needed, but chose to spend on hockey and some very little spare time, I'm able to watch some of the Avs prospects.
Robert Ciubotaru, Romania, eurolanche@eurolanche.com
14/10/2012 - 15:00
Prospects news
Yes, no NHL, but there's still hockey to enjoy.I was supposed to be back with the start of the NHL season, but there's not too much chances for that to happen too soon. Still, thanks to the internet connection, some money that I really needed, but chose to spend on hockey and some very little spare time, I'm able to watch some of the Avs prospects.
I watched three games lately, involving the Plymouth Whalers, the Saskatoon Blades and the Monsters.
First of all, the Plymouth Whalers and Garrett Meurs, 5th round choice by the Avalanche. A hard working guy, Meurs is not one to dazzle you with his skills, but I haven't seen him making any big mistake either. Plus, after the big names like Tyler Seguin left the Whalers, the former 1st round draft pick in the OHL is getting more ice time. So I'm looking forward to see more of the Whalers games, who by the way lost against Owen Sound Attack - yes, Duchene's former team - but only because their goalie was amazing.
Second game, which I have to admit I didn't see until the end is the Saskatoon Blades versus the Red Deer Rebels. Here I was looking for Duncan Siemens to shine. And Siemens had at least one huge intervention but he also miscalculated his steps when he dove to stop a Rebel, on a 1-on-1 attack. That being said, Siemens looked very decent as far as I've seen him, trying to do his job on his own end and to join the attack whenever possible. The Blades also lost the game.
The most important game from the Avs perspective is of course the Monsters' one, where the bulk of the prospects are. And they faced an Oklahoma City Barons team that features the likes of Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, plus the reigning goalie of the year in AHL, Yann Denis. The Avs have some new faces send to gain some experience in AHL, the new goalie tandem, Aittokallio-Pickard, plus Mike Sgarbossa and Mitchell Heard, alongside Barrie, Olver, Elliott, Gaunce, and Hishon, who unfortunately is still concussed. The star of the night was obviously Aittokallio who's ready to prove he's just as good as people said he is. He stopped 29 out of 30 shots and got his first win in the AHL, with the help of Thomas and Agozzino, who scored for the Monsters. For those of you that love statistics and would like to bash the Avs management for not trying to convince the crowd to come to Pepsi Center, Lake Erie (remember, an AHL team) played in front of a home crowd of 12,000 people. Make what you want of that.
Next week I'll talk some more about the prospects and let's hope we'll have news about the end of the lockout. But considering how none of the sides is really eager to start to actually negotiate and talk about the issues, don't hold your breath. I don't blame the owners or the players as much as I blame Gary Bettman and the Fehr brothers. But that's another story and it's not today's subject.
Robert Ciubotaru regularly writes his personal views and opinions on the latest Colorado Avalanche news exclusively for the Eurolanche fan club website. He's also available for chats about the Green Bay Packers or the Chicago Bulls.
Robert Ciubotaru, Romania, eurolanche@eurolanche.com
14/10/2012 - 15:00
