The Avs Hockey Podcast

Two Fan's Perspectives on Colorado Avalanche Hockey...and jerseys too.

The Avs Hockey Podcast, Episode #136

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In this show, James “Tapeleg” Gralian and Jay talk about Cale Makar’s greatness according to us (as well as his teammates), who should and who shouldn’t be dropping the gloves to protect their teammates, and they also break down the moves the Avalanche made at the trade deadline. Those topics and much more Avs and hockey stuff coming at you in episode number 136 of The Avs Hockey Podcast. Buckle up for the final stretch before the playoffs, friends.

Defenseman Josh Manson is working on being strategic with the feedback he gives Cale Makar. Great stuff.

Jay thinks the honkage on this goal should have began when Cale Makar picked up the puck at the blue line.
https://youtu.be/NnyrGy1r2O8
Minnesota’s Matt Dumba went for the big hit Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon didn’t hesitate to stick up for his teammate. MacKinnon ended up missing the next game. Should MacKinnon, Gabe Landeskog, or Nazem Kadri be fighting right now?
Shout out to Pierre Lacroix’s niece for hooking Jay’s Dad up with a couple Lacroix night warm-up pucks.

The Avs Hockey Podcast, Episode #135

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In this podcast, James “Tapeleg” Gralian and Jay talk about goaltenders stepping up, a great stretch of hockey for our favorite NHL team, and they discuss the “merits” of the NHL All-Star Game. Those topics and much more Avs and hockey stuff coming at you in episode #135 of The Avs Hockey Podcast. Thanks for your support, friends!

Here are the highlights from late in the game against the Bruins on January 26th. The Avs are winning games in all kinds of ways this season.
How about this feed from Mikko Rantanen to Gabriel Landeskog on January 30th. What a beauty.
The best update from Altitude regarding Peter McNab’s health.

The Avs Hockey Podcast, Episode #134

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In this show, James “Tapeleg” Gralian and Jay discuss a never boring month of Avalanche hockey, two gorgeous overtime game winning goals, all-star players (and a coach too), and Jay shares some seriously smokin’ hot takes. Those topics and plenty more Avs and hockey stuff coming at you in episode #134 of The Avs Hockey Podcast. Happy New Year and thanks for the support, friends!

How about some throwback hockey? We don’t get to see heavyweight bouts like this one between Kurtis MacDermid and Ryan Reaves (on December 14) very often at all anymore.

Cale Makar had a chance to end overtime on January 4 in Chicago and he did NOT disappoint. What a goal.
Too many men in Nashville on January 11th? It might be worth another look.

Check out Kukla’s Korner. It’s a good hockey resource which has been around for a very long time.

AHP Goal Pucks: Mikko Rantanen’s 8th Career Goal (2017)

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My passion for game worn jerseys and telling their stories has been well documented here for many years. I have quietly collected Avalanche game used and goal scored pucks throughout the years as well. These pucks, just like jerseys, have stories to tell. As expected, I really enjoy doing the research and exploring the details and figured it was time to share some puck history here too. Hoping you appreciate these small pieces of Colorado Avalanche history as much as I do.

Back in late January of 2017 us Avs fans were pretty excited about a new young talent that had recently joined the club after spending some very productive time in San Antonio with the Rampage. He had size, unreal hands, and could most definitely score goals. By this time in his career, Mikko Rantanen had a well deserved, permanent spot on the Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club roster. It was pretty cool to add Rantanen’s eighth career goal puck to the collection when it showed up on eBay later that season. First, the pics.

THE DATE: January 31, 2017

THE VENUE: Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

THE DETAILS: Mikko Rantanen at 5:13 of the second period. This goal got the Avs within one goal of the Ducks at the time. That was as close as the Avs would be the remainder of the game and was the only goal the Avs scored that game as well. This was Mikko Rantanen’s eighth goal of the season as well as the eighth goal of his career.

If you look closely at the picture of the back of the puck, there is a notch out of the top of the first zero on the NHL’s 100th anniversary logo. I tried really, really hard to photo match the puck to this photo on Getty Images, but I couldn’t quite get that done so I ended up, as I customarily do, trusting the team who taped, documented, and made the goal puck available to the public. Collectors have no choice but to trust our primary sources in the puck collecting hobby.

About a year after the puck beat Ducks goaltender John Gibson a local autograph collectibles business announced they were going to have a semi-private signing with Rantanen. I most definitely had to take advantage of that opportunity.

As usual with pro athlete signings, the 8th career goal and date inscription involved just a little extra money, but on a documented goal puck it’s always worth it and looks really cool too. It’s a nice touch for sure.

THE ASSIST: Mikhail Grigorenko

THE HIGHLIGHT:

Mikko Rantanen, as I publish this, is currently sitting on 143 career goals. It’s most definitely safe to say that virtually no Avalanche (or hockey fan, for that matter) is surprised by how many goals Rantanen has scored since he scored the puck above almost four years ago. It’s always a pleasure watching a young prospect grow into a top tier NHL winger, especially when that player plays for your favorite National Hockey League team.

Here’s to many, many more Rantanen (and Avalanche) goals, see you next goal puck post, and, as always, #GoAvsGo.