The Avs Hockey Podcast

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

AHP Goal Pucks: Toews for the Late Tie in Ottawa (2021)

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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.

Getting this puck in my hands took some significant time and effort. As we all know, working alongside the United States Postal Service can be a little complicated at times. Things worked out eventually though, and here, in all its glory, is the latest addition to the game used puck collection.

THE DATE: December 4, 2021

THE VENUE: Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

THE DETAILS: Devon Toews scored this hockey puck (with an extra Avs attacker on the ice) at 18:40 of the third period to tie the game at five. This was Toews’ fourth goal of the season and the 24th goal of his career. The Avalanche eventually lost this game in overtime, but the point they earned was a well earned one as they were down by three goals (5-2) about halfway through the contest. As sports fans know, any points gained away from home are always good points.

Even though this is one of the new tracking pucks the NHL has implemented this season, there were no statistical details included with the puck. I would love to know how hard this shot was because it was a missile (or a “Toewser Laser”, if you prefer) from the blue line.

THE ASSISTS: Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog

THE HIGHLIGHT: I included the first tying goal (scored by Gabriel Landeskog) which was called back after an Ottawa challenge. I suppose two game-tying goals are better than one.

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club has had a notable 2021-22 season thus far. One of the main reasons for this is emerging NHL superstar Cale Makar. Anyone who follows this team has quickly realized that one of the main reasons that Makar is playing so well is Makar being paired on the blue line with Devon Toews. Toews recently played in his 200th career NHL game. Anyone who watches him play would guess that he has played in way more games than that. I am biased, but I dare to say that Toews is the perfect partner for Makar. I’m also willing to put Toews in the top ten defenseman in Avs history right now and he’s just getting started here. He still has two more seasons left on his four-year contract here in Colorado. I’m thinking it’s going to be an entertaining next few years.

Until the next goal puck post, please take care and #GoAvsGo.

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: Sammy G in the Nick of Time in Toronto (2021)

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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.

There have been many changes in the goal collecting world the last few seasons. In turn, trying to keep up with what each hockey club is doing with the goal pucks from their home games takes some time and homework. Now that teams are playing every other team in the league again it was time for me to jump back into the goal puck game. Luckily, just before the last Toronto Maple Leafs game used auction ended, I came across a link that led me to all the goal pucks from the Avalanche/Maple Leafs game from earlier this month. The Avs scored three goals that night, two of which were scored by former Leaf Nazem Kadri. Here is the other Avalanche goal from that game.

THE DATE: December 1, 2021

THE VENUE: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

THE DETAILS: Samuel Girard at 19:58 of the first period. This was Girard’s second goal of the season and the 19th goal of his career. This goal gave the Avalanche some hope at the time, leaving them down 3-1 going into the first intermission. Discussion regarding the rest of the game is not needed. Let’s just say the Maple Leafs played well that night.

The new tracking pucks the NHL is using this season, along with the trackers the players wear behind their right shoulders in their jerseys, provide some pretty cool details/analytics for us collectors. (You can tell this is a new tracking puck because of the little circles around the Maple Leaf logo on the front of the puck and the NHL logo on the back of the puck.) As seen on the certificate the Maple Leafs provide with each goal puck, Girard was ten seconds into his shift at the time he scored. As for the other details, I believe the speed of the shot is accurate. The other two details, however, are incorrect on the card. He scored on a one-time snap shot (rather than the wrist shot listed on the card) and beat Maple Leaf goaltender Jack Campbell low glove side (rather than the “low middle” detail that is listed on the card.) Even with the incorrect details, it’s a really good looking certification that comes with the goal pucks. Well done, Toronto.

THE ASSISTS: Nathan MacKinnon and Logan O’Connor

THE HIGHLIGHT: Please fast forward to Sam Girard’s jersey number 49 seconds of the video to check out the highlight.

The hockey world, as well as the world in general, has been through a lot the last two years. It’s good to see the schedule, as well as goal puck collecting, starting to get back to somewhere near normal. While the recent shutdown is discouraging there’s nothing like a new goal puck for the collection to help things feel like they did a while back.

Thanks for checking out the post, friends. I will post another one soon.

Until the next goal puck, please take care and #GoAvsGo.

The Avs Hockey Podcast, Episode #133

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In this podcast James “Tapeleg” Gralian and Jay talk about all the players who stepped up big when Nathan MacKinnon went out, Nazem Kadri’s best stretch of play as a member of the team, a heathy (and spectacular) Cale Makar, and the current list of injuries that’s WAY too long. Those topics and much more Avs and hockey stuff coming at you in episode #133 of The Avs Hockey Podcast. Thanks for listening, friends!

Cale Makar’s out here making more history and being mentioned with the greats of the game. He’s just getting started too.
Congrats to The Captain for joining some exclusive Avalanche company.