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Clutch…

It’s not a word that’s thrown around when it comes to sports.  It’s a name that’s undoubtedly earned.  Chris Drury earned being called clutch, ask any Avalanche fan and they’ll tell you.

Here are some examples as to why no Avs fan will ever hesitate in calling Chris Drury clutch.  There are some HUGE playoff goals in here.

If that montage doesn’t bring back some good memories Avs fans, I really don’t know what will.  That Forsberg/Drury combination was lethal to the Avalanche’s opposition.

Chris Drury created great memories and brought the Avs faithful, including myself, to our feet many, many times.  And it can be argued that the Avs haven’t been quite the same since he left.  Many fans will never forgive Pierre Lacroix for trading Drury to the Flames back in October of 2002.

Chris Drury will never have his number hanging in the rafters of Pepsi Center and he won’t be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but those two facts won’t keep Avs fans from having a special place in their hockey hearts for him and his uncanny knack of scoring big goals in big games.

Thanks for the memories Chris Drury.  You have always been missed here in The Mile High City for all of the right reasons.

Hello again Avalanche fans, James and I need your help.  Based on the performances of our favorite NHL team over the past 20 games it’s very difficult trying to find topics to talk about.  Game recaps and discussion about those games used to take up the majority of our show, but lately there’s simply nothing to talk about.  Game recaps about loss after loss would be pretty much pointless.  This is where you come in.  We need your support in helping us come up with topics to discuss on our upcoming podcast.

So…what would you like us to talk about?  Is there a question or two that you’d like us to answer?  Anything you’re wondering about us that you’d like to know?  Have a question about jerseys?  Let us know!  We can automatically build in shout outs and have some fun interacting with you at the same time.  Please help us bring you almost everything Avalanche by being a part of the next show.

There are several ways to get in touch with us: the big paragraph to the lower right of this post has my email address in it.  You can shoot us something there.  You can reply to this post on the blog of course.  You can also send a message or reply to me on Twitter.  My username is AvsHkyPodcast.  You can leave a post on the AHP’s Facebook wall as well.  We’ll take the best of the best and include them in the show.

Thanks for all of your support and hope to hear from you soon, James and Jay

I just thought this was going to be a normal day on Twitter.  Regular news from all the great people I follow…nothing more, nothing less.  I’m cool with Twitter like that.  Then I saw the rumblings and knew something was up.  These were the types of tweets that I had seen before.  All the tweets were the result of this article written by Mark Kiszla and promoted by Adrian Dater in his latest blog post.  There is a lot going on here.  I just wanted to give my random thoughts and perspective because that’s what blogs are for.

Let’s start with Dater and Kiszla.  I really do try and see their perspective as best I can without being in their shoes.  It is somewhat of a conflict of interest if they begin to smash the Avalanche organization for not promoting this team in a more productive way.  They have access to and interact with the team and its employees on a very different level than the rest of us.  They don’t want to throw anyone under the bus that may get them in deep water or worse.  This makes sense, but only to a point.

What doesn’t make sense is whenever the Avs play a game like they did last night, the fans, or lack of them, automatically become an issue.  The crowds are too small and those that are there aren’t making enough noise.  Blah, blah, blah.  What was there to cheer about for the first 48 minutes of hockey anyways, besides Kevin Shattenkirk’s first NHL goal during a first period power play?

I was there last night.  It was quiet and boring for a perfectly good reason.  The Avs were being outplayed by a Sharks team that was playing well.  What are the fans that were there, including myself, supposed to do?

Let’s  move the focus to Denver as a sports town to maybe help explain the small Avs crowds.  There is a lot of competition for the sports fan’s dollar within literally miles of downtown.  We have the Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets, Avalanche, Rapids, D.U. Pioneers, and plenty of other affordable, yet very enjoyable teams to watch.  Fans have to make a choice concerning what they’d like to see and how much they’d like to pay for it.  It has been made very clear over the years that the Denver Broncos rule this city.  No matter how they play, they lead the news stories of that particular night.  Invesco Field at Mile High and Mile High Stadium have been sold out for years and that’s never going to change.  When fans only have to pay for a few pre-season games and eight regular season games that makes any ticket price seem like a fairly decent deal.  Ticket-holders have had the seats in their families for literally generations and that’s not going to change any time soon.  If anyone tells you that Denver isn’t “Bronco-town” they are fooling themselves.  It is and always will be.  As far as playing football, take a football, Nerf or leather, go out in the yard and throw it around and you’re “playing” football.  Every fan has done that.

The Colorado Rockies play 81 home games a season.  Their tickets are way more affordable than basketball or hockey.  They also went to the World Series three seasons ago.  They have two Gold Glove and Silver Slugger players in Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki.  They also have one of the best young pitchers in baseball, Ubaldo Jimenez, that just finished third the the NL’s Cy Young voting.  People love America’s pastime.  The team also, with a few exceptions, plays outside when it’s warm.  Who wouldn’t want to watch sports in this atmosphere?  On the other hand, people aren’t that excited by how many star free agents the organization goes after and pays, but they go to the games anyway.  The Rockies had the 10th largest per game average in attendance in the Major Leagues last season.  That was the largest average attendance for the team since 2001.  People go to Rockies games in Denver.  It’s what they do.  People have played baseball as well.  It’s easy to.  Go to any park with a couple gloves, a baseball or two, and a bat and “play” baseball.

The Nuggets have one huge thing going for them, which the Avs used to have plenty of and more, and that’s star power.  People aren’t very pleased with Carmelo Anthony not signing his offer of a contract extension from the Nuggets, but they still go to the games to watch him because the guy can flat play the game.  People go to Pepsi Center to watch hometown hero Chauncey Billups as well.  We are proud of who he is, what he has accomplished, and couldn’t be happier that he’s back home where he belongs.  The Nuggets tickets are expensive as well, but they put on a heck of a show.  Nuggets games are fun and entertaining, there’s no doubt about that.  Rocky, one of the best in the mascot business in all of sports makes a difference for the kids and the adults as well.  He is awesome.  And as for playing basketball, go to the majority of parks and/or schools with a basketball and “play” basketball.  That’s simple.

And now we get to the Avs.  The last of the true Hall of Fame quality, get you on your feet talent, left last season when Joe Sakic announced his retirement.  Names like Forsberg, Roy, Bourque, Blake, etc. are now gone and have been replaced by the next generation of Avalanche greats.  It’s hard to tell if any of the current Avalanche players will ever be Hall of Fame caliber type or legendary players.  They don’t come around that often at all.  Along those lines, small star power equals small crowds.  That’s the way it goes with pro sports in many cities with plenty of choices with pro sports teams.  High ticket prices are an issue as well.  When the team charges the same price, or actually more than they did in the “star power” days, that’s an issue in today’s economic environment.  And who, at least regarding the generation who can buy tickets on a regular basis, has played hockey?  I grew up in Denver and played hockey growing up.  I had one other good friend that played as well.  Back then (the early to mid eighties) there were maybe four or five sheets of ice to play on within the city and we needed a ride to get there because hockey gear is heavy.  This isn’t like football, basketball, or baseball.  Going down the block and playing just isn’t an option.  Ice time is at a premium.  Hockey equipment is expensive.  There’s no doubt that things are growing, though.  Hockey is very popular and still growing here, but this is a process.  It’s going to take some time to really get things going.

Here’s my issue with Dater’s and Kiszla’s points of view:  Why are they scolding the fans and what good, if any, is this going to do?  Are readers supposed to read the perspective they provide and say, “You know what?  They’re right.  I need to drop a couple hundred dollars and take my family of four to a game a little more often because we’re not doing our part to support the Avs.  I’m going to be a “better fan” because you guys told me so.”  That makes no sense at all.  I have been going to hockey games here in Denver with my Dad for over 25 years.  We go back to the original Colorado Rockies, Colorado Flames, Denver Rangers, and finally the Avs.  Dad and I go as often as we can to games and are the type of fans that don’t need a whole lot of entertainment to really enjoy what’s going on out there.  Our entertainment has always been good hockey (and the “Kiss Cam” too.  That’s always been a favorite ever since Scott Mellanby kissed Doug Weight when the Blues were in town many years ago.)  When it comes to entertainment though, we’re in the minority.  People who aren’t hardcore hockey fans need something fresh.  They need to be entertained by something other than hockey to feel like they got their money’s worth when they leave the arena.  It’s no secret that the Avs struggle with their in-game entertainment.  It always seems like the same old shtick.  Useless promotions that serve as crummy commercials, (shout out to all my “A Christmas Story” fans out there with that reference), the same music during stoppages in play no matter how the game is progressing, and a constant barrage of “Make some noise!” and “Get on your feet!” and “If you came to scream your head off you may proceed” gets really old after a while.  I’ll get on my feet and scream my head off when my team deserves it, not just because the scoreboard told me to do it.  And in the words of Steve Harvey, “I paid $62 dollars for this seat (which my Dad and I do).  You get up and scream.”  (or something to that effect.)

Dater and Kiszla have gotten almost too good at blaming the fans for not showing up to hockey games in Denver.  They wrongly assume they’re going to guilt people into going to Pepsi Center for hockey games.  I suggest a focus on letting the fans know what they’re missing.  Make potential fans want to go watch hockey for all of the right reasons.  There’s plenty of blame and finger-pointing to go around when it comes to the small crowds for Avs games, but focusing on all of that is a waste of energy and won’t do anyone any good anyway.  Let’s get people excited about this young team.  Let’s get people to appreciate the game for what it is.  Let’s all work together to create passionate hockey fans, rather than fickle home-team fans who live and die with every win and loss.  Sure, it takes time and effort, but in the end everyone will be better for it.  That, in a nutshell, is why I make my podcast.

And as far as Kiszla’s “How does the Winnipeg Avalanche sound to you?” comment that he closed with, it’s plain ridiculous.  Comments like that won’t put people in the seats either.  Why even go there?  What’s the point?  Comments like that make it sound like media members have control to spare when it comes to the team staying in Denver when that’s nowhere near the truth.

And maybe, just maybe, the reason many people choose to stay away from Avs games in general is the overwhelmingly negative and pessimistic attitude that’s portrayed by Dater in his Twitter feed and Kiszla with pieces of writing like today’s article in the Post.  Using the word “fans” with quotations around it is a total swipe at anyone that roots for the Avs.  It was unnecessary and something that needed to be addressed by real Avalanche fans, and has been all day long.

This would normally be the place where I would talk a ton of stuff, but I just can’t do it.  This would also be the place where I whine and cry about being on the wrong end of a loss, but I can’t do that either.  According to the radio voice of the Avalanche, Marc Moser, Friday the 13th was the day that I was supposed to quit golf.  As of right now, I’m still planning on playing plenty of golf and I’m a bigger Avalanche fan than I’ve ever been.  Those are two very good things.

The date: Friday the 13th of August, 2010.

The place: Green Valley Ranch Golf Course in Denver.

Tee time: 12:58 p.m.

Weather: As good as anyone could ask for.

The Moser Golf Challenge, Part 2, the challenge issued via Moser on Twitter, was on.  It was a close match the entire day with no team ever leading by more than two holes.  The golf was fun.  There were some great shots, and there were some not so great shots.  That’s the game of golf sometimes.  The teams were well matched and all of us had to grind for any advantage we gained on the opposition.  That’s how an even match works.

The big story of the match was that it was an absolute blast.  Marc Moser is every bit of who he is on the radio while he calls games and then some.  The guy basically lives and dies on every shot that he and his partner hit.  I had the extreme pleasure of looking over after a few of my shots during the round to see him bent over like he was about to throw up.  Kyle Keefe was great to play with as well.  He was the calm one in their pair to say the least.  They, together, accomplished something I never, ever thought would happen during a round of golf, they actually helped me become an even bigger Avalanche fan.  For those of you that know me pretty well, that’s not an simple task at all.  I have to give these guys an absolute ton of credit.  Putting themselves “out there” and giving unheard access to regular old Avs fans like myself and my partner was such a cool move by them on many levels.  We talked about commercials, specifically the famous John-Michael Liles “Hot Pocket” Altitude spot, what buildings are the best for them to work in, what it’s like to have inside access to the team we all love, and many things in between.

I’ve met many hockey players through the years and I don’t believe I’ve ever been let down by any of them.  They have all been kind and pleasurable.  It’s all part of that hockey culture that any hockey fan appreciates.  Kyle Keefe and Marc Moser were no different.  A HUGE thanks to both of  them for taking time out of their schedules to play a round of golf with my partner and me.

After the match was completed, the word “rematch” was mentioned more than a few times.  I hope we can make that happen sometime soon.

The Moser Golf Challenge Part 2 is scheduled for Friday, August 13, 2010.  It will include yours truly and another Avs fan on Twitter taking on the radio voice of the Avalanche, Marc Moser, and his partner, Kyle Keefe, from Altitude Sports and Entertainment.  We’re not sure of the format, but we are sure of the time and the location.

Moser made part two of his golf challenge official on August 9 at 1:45 PM with this harmless tweet.  (By the way, I’m @AvsHkyPodcast and my partner, Arbon Reimer, is @RhymeswCarbon.)

It’s official. Next Moser golf challenge is officially this Friday as Kyle Keefe and I take on ——> @AvsHkyPodcast @RhymeswCarbon

And then things quickly turned ugly with this tweet posted by Moser, one minute later, on August 9 at 1:46 PM:

Mark it down on your calendars…this will forever be known as the day that —-> @AvsHkyPodcast @RhymeswCarbon quit the game of golf.

I only have one question when it comes to a statement as bold as that, does this look like the face of someone who’s capable of ending someone’s golf career?

Image courtesy of the 2000-2001 Colorado Avalanche Media Guide.  “The Mose” is lookin’ pretty darn serious.

My partner Arbon put it best in his tweet posted on August 9 at 1:54 PM.  Moser is @avalancheradio on Twitter.

@avalancheradio : Marc picked the right business: he has a face for radio.

Enough said.  I’ll let you guys know how things go on Friday afternoon.  I’m looking forward to it and I’m sure we’re going to have a great time.  Talk to you later.

We all deal with the end of the season a little differently.  Me?  I choose to make a video to get me excited about the season that just ended and to get me excited about seasons to come as well.  With some help from a program called Animoto, some music from Apple’s Garageband (which you’ll recognize from my show if you’re a loyal listener), and images from a few different places, I was able to create this so I could share it will all of the people that follow me here, on Facebook, and on Twitter.  I hope you enjoy and it helps you get through the end of the Avalanche hockey season.  I know it helped me.

Thanks for a great season AHP fans.  Your support means a lot.  Next up, a season-ending podcast coming at you this weekend.  Talk to you then!

Let’s get one thing straight here Avs fans, I’m as frustrated with Wojtek Wolski’s inconsistent performances over the past few seasons as all of you are, but the comparisons to former Avs players need to stop.  I have heard one too many things lately and just wanted to throw some facts, thoughts, and comparisons at all of you to see if they may change your mind just a little bit.

The main thing that inspired this post was a recent conversation on my buddy James “Tapeleg” Gralian’s, Rink Podcast.  Every once in a while he has guests from Twitter that call in and they record a special podcast called a “Tweetcast.”  He recently had an Avs representative, James from Denver, who goes by the username of BleedBurgundy on Twitter.  The link to the Tweetcast podcast is here in case you want to give it a listen.  In the show, James compared Wojtek Wolski’s lack of production to the Avalanche career of Alex Tanguay.  So much talent and it just seems like they don’t do as much as they can on a consistent basis for the team.  All I hear is that they could have been/can be so much better if they just played with a little more passion.  I felt the same way about both of them until I looked at the numbers.  The stats rarely lie.

What many Avs fans fail to realize about Alex Tanguay is that he’s the fourth leading scorer in Avalanche history with a nice round 400 points.  Adam Deadmarsh is next on the all-time scoring list with 129 points less than Tanguay with 271.  Tanguay trails two future Hall of Famers (Sakic and Forsberg) and Avs long-time stud Milan Hejduk and that’s it.  Could Tanguay have been better overall?  I’d say yes.  Did he play on some amazing teams with all kinds of talent around him?  Absolutely.  Has Tanguay been far from great ever since the talent around him has been nowhere near what it was when he was with our Avs?  Yes.  Did he get the job done though when he wore an Avalanche sweater?  I’d have to say, based on the numbers, a pretty strong yes to that as well.  Those Avs names are serious company and pretty much anyone would look like they’re not that great in comparison to some of the players Tanguay played with here in Denver.

We can also compare Tanguay’s numbers to another Avs fan favorite, Chris Drury.  By comparison, Drury scored a little over half the points with the Avs than Tanguay did (222).  Sure Drury scored some huge playoff goals and has been appropriately labeled “clutch” for those performances, but when we look at the postseason numbers they both have the same exact amount of Avs playoff points with 50.  Do Wolski and Tanguay really compare?  I actually hope they do someday.  That would be really nice.

And while we’re at it, let’s talk about a new reality Avs fan need to get used to.  Just because Wojtek Wolski shows promise as a young talented offensive player does not mean that he is going to put up Sakic-like, Forsberg-esque, or even Tanguay-like numbers any time soon or even ever.  That’s what we’ve been used to and spoiled by in the past as Avs fans and it’s definitely time to adjust that perspective a little bit.  It’s time to look at the whole situation in a realistic way, Wojtek Wolski’s just not that good (and I even hesitate to throw a “yet” in here.)  Believe me though, I want Wolski to be one of the guys that leads the Avs back to the promise land and I’m definitely rooting for him to do so.

On the other hand, we can look at the bright and youthful side of the Avs organization.  Here are the ages of some of the Avs on the current roster:

Wolski: 23  Paul Stastny: 23  Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly: 18  T.J. Galiardi: 21 Cody McLeod and David Jones: 25  Chris Stewart: 22 Kyle Quincey: 24 Kyle Cumiskey: 23

Based on the team’s performance this season so far and the ages of the players listed above, the thing we have on our side as Avs fans is time.  Let’s be patient with this team (and with Wolski and Stastny especially as they’re only 23) and see where time takes us.

So…sit back, relax, and look down the road.  Looking back, appreciating, and even comparing to the past isn’t necessarily a bad thing, let’s just do our best though to keep everything in perspective.  Things are looking good, it’s just going to take some time, and we have plenty of that on our side.

Hey everyone…just wanted to keep in touch with you regarding the show. I know it has been a while. My wife and I had our first baby in late March and I’ve been focusing on being a Dad for a while now. Based on the end of the season it was easy to step away from the show for a bit to focus on what really matters.

I am still planning on posting a season ending show sometime after the June draft so please hang in there. I definitely appreciate your patience while I get used to the new addition to our family. I am also currently planning on continuing the show through next season, so if you like what you’ve heard the past few seasons, I will definitely be back to help you stay up to date.

Until I post my next show, please don’t forget to join me on Facebook. Just become a fan on “The Avs Hockey Podcast” fan page to get all the latest from the Avs’ official site and my favorite Avs blogs from around the web. Let me hunt the stories down for you, all you’ll need to do is join me there. I’m doing my best to make it your one stop shop on Facebook for everything Avalanche. Please join me and all of the AHP fans there!

Take care, thanks for another great season, thanks also for your patience in the delay for the latest show, and see you next time on the Avs Hockey Podcast. See ya!