Missing the hockey...

Having moved recently (to New Jersey), I haven't been able to watch any Avalanche hockey... it's been incredibly sad. Although I think they're something like 2 and 1 since I moved, including a win that was something like 9-5 vs the Blues. Holy crap that must have been a good game! How would you like to be at a game where 14 goals are scored??? Even better would have been if it was 7-7 and went to a shoot out (that called for extra shooters).

Starting this weekend, I'm going to use the online NHL radio link on the Avs website and listen to the games. There's at least that, you know? Until then... Oh am I missing my Avalanche hockey.

Avalanche @ Kings

This was an excellent game! The Avs played strong and really bounced back after their San Jose loss. I was impressed. Especially since they did it without Sakic, among other players who were out. Smythe was great and Stastny picked up a few points as well. God it was a lot of fun watching this game.

Theodore was really good in net, I thought he moved well and had some really beautiful saves. There was a bit of a scary moment when Smythe fell over the Kings goaltender and he (the goaltender) laid on the ice for a few minutes. He seemed ok when he got up, but was replaced. I'm guessing it was a "just in case" although I haven't checked today to see if he suffered any manner of injury when it happened. I didn't hear any mention of an injury during the game though.

Avalanche @ Sharks

Last nights game was a good effort, except for the 1st period. It just looked to me like the Avs spent most of the 1st scrambling to catch up. They came out for the second ready to play though, and that was good. Too many penalties on both sides, but Hejduk getting a shorty was nice. Giving up 2 PP goals wasn't. So the Avs lost to the Sharks 3-2. That last period was really exciting. It would have been nice if the first period had been as well.

Hannan being booed was disappointing. I mean, why? Did he badmouth San Jose? No, he just went to another team via free agency. What's so bad about that? Ok, he left. And so will most of the players on every team, they'll go to other teams. Why? Lots of reasons, more money, a better shot at the Stanley Cup, a desire to play on a team with a specific player... there are a lot of reasons. I'm sorry, but how many canadian born players do you know would turn down Joe Sakic when he calls them up and says "hey, you know, the Avalanche is a great organization that would love to have you."

I don't know, I just don't get the booing thing. I can understand booing a player if they did something like badmouth the town, the fans or the team on their way out the door. Or if they made a comment like "well I just go where the money is." Yeah, by all means, boo away. Hell, I'll boo right along with you. But to boo a player because he was traded or left via free agency... seriously, why?