Avs Lose to the Canucks, Still Own Series

I love doing these as the game goes "liveblogs." Even though the rest of the hockey world knows what happens, I don't, and it's kind of fun.

1st Period
The shots come quick, but so does the first fight of the game. Laperriere isn't going to take it from anyone tonight. I'm kind of surprised he didn't take an extra two for instigating, since he dropped his stick before the fight.

Yep, Brisebois as the defensive scratch.

Goal? Hell of a break for the Canucks if that counts. If it doesn't, the Canucks are going to feel robbed, and they should. No goal??? That was highway robbery, plain and simple. I'd be mad if that had happened to the Avs. Any Canucks fan who feels screwed by that call deserves to. Even though it was a distinct kicking motion, it wasn't kicked at. The motion looked like a kick, but come on. Even I don't buy that one.

Here's something I don't understand. The Canucks fans seem to love the vintage blue and green jerseys being worn tonight, but just use them for a few games. Like the Buffalo Sabres, fans love these jerseys, but the fans are ignored, and

The Avs have shown the kind of energy and relentless work the Flames showed against them a few games ago. If they can keep it up for sixty minutes, they have a good shot at a win. Give up against a hungry Vancouver team, and it spells doom. You have to wonder if this kind of play worries the Canucks. You have to think the Canucks are going to come out of the dressing room with some serious energy.

A little 4 on 4 play, with Sakic and Burroughs both in the box six seconds apart. 15 minutes in, and the Avs are outshooting the Canucks 11-2. Sakic comes out of the penalty box with the steal, but with a 1 on 3, there wasn't much chance of anything happening. But it sure was great to see.

The last few seconds get me worried. The Canucks pour on the pressure, and the Avs don't take their men. Theodore with a great save at the end of the period. I expect the 2nd period to be harder for the Avs, but the 1st belonged to the good guys.

2nd Period
OK, surprise time for me. What the hell is Budaj doing in net for the Avs? Theodore didn't look bad or injured. Maybe he's feeling sick? I hope he's just sick, otherwise it doesn't make sense.

Two penalties in a row for the Canucks, they can't feel good about that. A penalty kill can be a good rallying point, but you have to think this has to be a buzz kill to whatever was said in the locker room.

Theodore is out with a "hip injury," whatever that means. As athletic as the last save was, I can't think anything serious happened to hi,.

The "Keys to the Game" on Altitude (the Avs TV network) included discipline and staying out of the penalty box. That didn't happen. They almost killed off the two penalties (including a minute of 5 on 3), but a Sedin knocks one home with 3 seconds left on the PP, taking the rebound five hole on Budaj.

Period ends 1-0 Canucks, and I can't wait to see what the 3rd holds.

3rd Period

It's run and gun for the Avs coming out of the gate. The intensity is still up, and the game is still antibody's.

GOOOOOOAAAALLLL!!!!! Liles with a great read on the play, takes a chance on the pass and it pays off. That's a tie game, fans.

The work down low continues. The traffic the Q wanted in front of the net a while ago is happening with a fury. It's the kind of thing that Ryan Smyth has made a living at, so who can complain about success.

Another penalty for the Avs. That makes 3 in a row, not the way to build on the tying goal. And the Canucks make the Avs pay. Avs couldn't clear the zone, and that was that.

Sakic burst out of the box for the breakaway AGAIN, but with the room, Luongo is equal to the task. Still, it's sooooo much fun to watch. Twice in one game,

Hejduk is having as good of a game as you can without putting it in the net. Wherever this Hejduk was last season, they should take away his travel privileges.

McLean tries to put a pass through the skates of a Canuck, which results in a loss of possession. Small play, nothing special, right? Those kind of plays are the kind that can kill your comeback. Every second counts at this point, with 5:00 left, and one goal to make up.

Sakic takes his third penalty of the game, but this one is just one you had to take, with the empty net available for the Canucks to take a shot on and breaking in. Three for Sakic is a ton, though. So much for this year's Lady Bing Trophy.

See, hope springs in turtles (again, it's a John Bowman quote. He's a comedian, you should check him out). Canucks penalty with 5.7 seconds left. But to no avail.

Final Score: Canucks win 2-1

Overall, not such a bad loss with the win in Edmonton, but the frustrating things is that the Avs had such a good game, but the PK let them down. Luongo was great in net tonight, being the total difference maker, when the Avs getting 41 shots on goal. If the Avs can maintain this kind of game for the rest of the season, which is a tall order, they can look like a contender. I wish I could feel bad about this loss, but this is the kind of loss I don;t mind, one where the Avs work hard, do the right things, and have that one thing that needs a fix. Even Leopold looked pretty good for being out for so long. He looked calm and in control his whole game.

Blue Jackets are next here in Colorado. Taking this kind of game to them will be fun to watch.

Scoresheet

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