OK, Here Goes, Let the TV Party Begin!

In the continuing (?) series of KTH show reviews, I present you, Armchair Martian. After the 'breakup' of Drag the River, rumors immediately started swirling that the Chair (I think I might have just coined that nickname) would be reforming for a show or two. Last night, at the 3 Kings Tavern, those rumors came to fruition. Following a pretty engaging whisky-fueled solo set by Chad Price of All/Drag, the Chair (there I go again) turned up the gain and let 'er rip. Many of the old classics like Xenophobe: A Car, Feets (the message in the 8 ball song), and Swinging with Jesus were played and sounded as sturdy as they did back in the late 90's when this band pretty much ruled the Front Range in a post-Fluid era. While the set could've been longer and there was a specific song or two that I would've added to the set list, hard to complain about to opportunity to reexamine these under-appreciated purveyors of the Colorappolis sound. I went to the show by myself and didn't know too many folks there, so that should tell you about the level of my fandom. I definitely wouldn't be bummed if this was more than a one-weekend occasion and more shows materialize.

The Nobodys played last (the order will be reversed tonight in Ft Collins I was told). They sounded pretty good, but I was in the back of the bar having a drink talking to girl about how she commutes from Denver to Cheyenne on a weekly basis to practice with her metal band.

DT - You're on the hook for the Times New Viking review for tonight.

Bakedog likes the idea of a 30-game winning streak

Nice little 2-run dong for J-Bake here in the 2nd. The Rox must be seeing the ball well off this cocksucker... Although, G-Dog has already been getting his LOB on.

Let's win this puppy (at this point I don't fear the post jinx)!!

How about some closure?

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/may/30/letter-implicates/

Who Screams Better?

According to Avs GM, Francois Giguere, the answer is Granato, who was announced yesterday as the man to replace Q on the bench and heckle refs. Admittedly, I wasn't expecting Q to get canned in the first place, but bringing back Tony is a tad bizarre and not terribly exciting. He was largely responsible for the Avs weak power play last year as an assistant and his prior head coaching playoff record (with a very stacked roster) is nothing to highlight on one's resume.

That said, Coach G(?), was pretty fiery on the bench last year, which is always good to see. Frankly, I'm still puzzled why Hartley got canned after his playoff success. At the same time, hockey is about the most difficult sport for me to see how the coaching affects the outcome, so what do I know. Line combinations and general schemes (will we still spend the majority of our time behind the goal when in the opponent's zone?) are visible, but I'm guessing a big part of whether someone is successful or not depends on how the players respond to the guy. Maybe Granato is the right guy from that perspective and has learned enough during his banishment back to assistant to now flourish as a head coach. I hope so. Sure, I (along with KTH Nation - Granato garnered 0% of the vote) was hoping for a sexier choice, but Tony is likable enough in my book. However, the real measure of whether this was a good move will be decided when the first GMC commercials air. He's got big shoes to fill in that department.

Hire Roy

Here at KTH, we ain't so much into the post-season breakdown of what went right, what went wrong. This is mainly a forum for complaining, moaning, bitching, and occasionally gloating. With the recent departures of the Avs and Nuggets from post-season play, I would certainly have put my scratch down on the bet that Coach Karl would be gone and Coach Q would be back. The Avs probably over-achieved (considering the injuries), while the Nugs clearly underachieved with what seemed like a disinterested coach.

Shows what I know. Coach Q is leaving town in a rocking GMC and (not so) Furious George is back next year. While my first vote would be to bring back Bob Hartley (why did he get fired in the first place?), there are already rumblings about Roy being considered to be starring in local GMC commercials. I must say I like this idea. The increase in goalie fights alone is reason for the Avs to pull the trigger on bringing St. Patrick back to town...Make it So....

Close Up View of the Carnage

I'm sure it looked bad on tv. Trust Steve and I, it looked horrible live, in-person, from 4 rows off the glass. Such a clinic by the Wings and now all I can do is prey the Sharks mount a miracle comeback so I don't have to, gulp, root for the Dallas freakin' Stars in the Western Conference Finals.

Getting past the 1st round of the playoffs has to be considered a success for a team that has been so decimated with injuries all year, but ending the season by getting completely schooled by the Wings in a sweep sure doesn't feel like success.

Still looking for my McLeod sweater (and a win against the Wings)

Things getting bleak 'round here. Down 3-0 to the hated Red Wings...a chance tonight to salvage some pride (or mount only the 3rd comeback from 3-0 deficit in NHL playoff history).

Not sure though that they can even put a full team on the ice. Out=Stastny, Smyth, Forsberg, Wolski. as well as the holdover injuries from the regular season Svatos, Clark etc... I know no one likes a whiner (except me, Danny.) but it's pretty ridic.

Would like to see a good gutsy performance from the remaining troops. Avoid the sweep.

On a happier note I did catch one of the t-shirts that those Copper Mountain chicks throw into the Pepsi Center stands during TV timeouts late in game 3. You got to take something positive away from these games.

Hurtin' Crue

Too many injuries, too many soft goals, too much Johan Franzen. It's becoming pretty clear that if Forsberg doesn't come back for Game 3, this series is going to be over soon. Hate to play the injury card, but it sure doesn't help to have Forsberg, Hannan and Wolski on the shelf to join Svatos and Clark. Actually, it feels kind of good to play the injury card.



Maybe the Nuggets can establish a winning trend for the home teams at the Can this afternoon. Both teams are looking up at a 0-2 homecoming....

Scott Bowman Just Called Me, He's Rooting for the Avs

Hard to believe, but apparently S-Bow has the Avs in 6 in this series. He predicts a lack of octopus on the ice and Forsberg to be the difference. Plus, he says that Osgood is a little pussy that listens to Boyz II Men. Thanks for the insight, dude.

Seriously, while the Avs have a very uphill battle against a team that they have flailed against as of late, I kind of like their chances. This Avs team doesn't resemble the team that got completely smoked by the Wings in the Can like some dirt weed in a junior high parking lot recently. I like Theo over Osgood and I like Forsberg over McCarty. Let's Rumble!!!

I don't like Guite?

An extremely rare shorty from an Avs player....Ben Guite, no less. 1-0 after a period of play...let's close this deal.

Theodores Gone Wild

You'll want to buy this video. It features Jose Theodore videotaped while completely demoralizing would-be Minnesota Wild scorers. Even though the Avs looked timid and afraid during good portions of the 1st and 2nd periods, they did not get a dog or to go to church. Instead, they let Theo put them on his shoulders and carry them into the 3rd. Two early Avs 3rd period goals later and this was in the books. The Avs have a series lead at 3-2, but make no mistake, this team does not want to return to St. Paul. TD will be at the Can on Sat night hoping I can reverse my Game 3 fortunes. The Avs need to play much better and cannot expect another performance from Jose like he had last night. I'll take care of the multiple stadium beers thank you very much.........

The Timing is Bad, This Picture is Great

What the hell AI is doing in this pic? Melo screwed up and I'm glad AI has his back, but does AI really need to be sitting on the sidelines looking like Kid Rock's former sidekick and now deceased midget? Get a driver or a sober entourage, dude. Seems like somebody else should have had your back to drive your car the other night....Now let's get focused to take the Lakers to at least a 5 game series.

I'm sorry Mr. Schroeder, but you will never sing again....

Is there any chance of attending an Avs game without having to endure the Jake Schroeder National Anthem? Or hearing the red-neck contingent scream "our flag was still there!"? I hate that. Makes me embarrassed to be in the same building.

I've really got to make sure I stay down on the concourse, and time my initial entry to the 350 with better accuracy.

Tyler Mania!!!

Not that Arnason was solely responsible for the onslaught that is currently happening as the 2nd period winds down, but I wanted to invent some new, incredibly stupid-sounding phrase. This was exactly the type of game the Avs needed tonight. This could change the complexion of the rest of the series in the Avs' favor. While that remains to be seen, you can be sure that this is the type of game that Jacques Lemaire absolutely can't stand. Let's hope the Wild come unraveled (without totally gooning it up in the 3rd period) and Backstrom loses all of the confidence he built in Games 1-3. Enjoy this victory Avs, but come with the same fire on Thursday night........

I Like the Idea of No-Touch Icing

Well, rather than bitch about how the nhl should initiate no-touch icing (just ask Patrick Marleau after last night's game), this game probably boils down to a bad night for the power play and getting outworked in OT. Still, it stings to lose on a blatant icing that takes a strange bounce and sets up a game winner. Feel bad to waste such a good game by Theo. This series is being decided by bounces and tipped pucks and is as tight as a pair of 80's designer jeans. The Avs simply need to work harder tomorrow and get a crucial victory. Is every game going to end in OT? I suggest ST and DT bring a back up flask for tomorrow night's game. I sure wish I had one tonight when the beer sales ended....

Rough Night for 'Melo

Well, the Nugs get the win last night, but Carmelo has what I believe was his worst game of the year statistically. He followed that up with his worst driving night of the year statistically as well. Getting pulled over and arrested on I-25 for DUI...

Sounded like a pretty uneventful, peaceful, roadside scene which is about the only good thing to come from this news. Not exactly a distraction that the Nuggets need at this point in the season.

Anyways, 'twas in the Can for last night's game, and JR, AI, and Linas were picking up the slack, in a game that felt pretty securely in hand before halftime.

Loved the bewildered looks from my daughter, when some people in our section were referring to Iverson by the nickname "Ivey", and offering up some shouts of "C'mon Ivey!" The kid (Ivey) didn't know what to do with those requests, a 3 year old can only eat Dippin' Dots so fast, you know?

The Greatest Question Facing Mankind

Hypothesis: Yes, it's time to take one step back from a semi-heartbreaking loss tonight. Yes, the Avs lose and the excitement that was mounting after the tying goal with the goalie pulled was squashed within a minute of OT, but KTH was not only paying attention to the scoreboard, we were also carrying out critical science experiments. A question that has plagued the upright, walking primate since the early days of heavy metal has been what beer is best. I'm not talking about Michelob or Lowenbrau. This is the grandaddy of all cage matches: Miller High Life Light vs. Pabst Blue Ribbon Light. (Notice, I didn't use the over-cliched "PBR" reference. Unless you are uttering the slick line of "PBR me ASAP", please say Pabst to your bartender. Maybe the trendiness of this beer will die down and it won't cost $4.00 in a can some time soon.)

Results: I like Miller High Life Light better. Steve and SonicTooth like Pabst (BRL) better. Everyone agreed both beers offer quality taste and the promise of terrible beer farts the next day.

Conclusion: This series is going to be as close as any taste test between two of the most stellar swills around. I like the Avs in the long run and this loss hurts a bit, but Theo looks very solid and I'm confident we'll roll these pussies in 7.

Both Teams Need to Win

It goes with out saying that every team in professional sports strive to make their respective postseason. The thrill of winning Lord Stanley’s Cup or playing in the Fall Classic is what stands at the end of an already lucrative “professional rainbow” for pro athletes. It feeds their ultra-competitive ego-centric side and it cements their legacy as a “winner.”

Denver has seen its share of winners. It took a while to be sure, but in the past dozen years, teams and players have become postseason legends in almost all of the major sports.

Last season, Todd Helton, Matt Holliday, Tulo, and the Colorado Rockies captivated the city and its hibernating fan base with a thrilling and improbable run to the World Series before falling to the mighty Red Sox buzzsaw.

Countless spring evenings in Denver have been spent following the many Avalanche runs towards hockey’s Holy Grail. On two occasions, players such as Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, and Patrick Roy have become icons and indeed sprouted a legion of followers from a football-crazed populace by winning the ultimate prize.

The dueling Super Bowl titles by the Denver Broncos still fuel pride in today’s Denver sports fan. Although, a decade has gone by since those feats of amazement, the tale of those teams and of John Elway and Terrell Davis are still fresh.

This brings me to my reason for writing. This town needs both of the Pepsi Center residents to make exciting (and even long) runs into the postseason. While neither team is looked at as one that could threaten the leagues’ elites, conference finals shouldn’t be out of the question, either.

The town needs the excitement. The Denver Nuggets organization needs the digits to support their nationwide “street cred.” As one of the country’s most popular teams (watch road games and there are jerseys everywhere) they have also become one of the most scrutinized. They’re like Anna Kournikova, all show, no dough. At some point, they have to start winning and this year is as good as any. They stand to break the 50-win mark (something they haven’t done in 20 years) and would come in with the momentum of simply qualifying. They have proven all year long that they can hang with the NBA’s best and the city is more than ready to throw its arms around a winning team.

Hey, after hitting up the Houston game this weekend, maybe even Sonic Tooth can become an NBA fan!

The game is HUGE....

The Western Conference playoffs have pretty much begun. Golden State/Denver exact same record, tied for the 8th spot....

You look at the remaining 3 games for both teams after tonight's tilt, and this could be a rather decisive game. Each appear to have a couple "easier" games and one that doesn't shape up in their favor. Then again, whoever wins tonight might just take the momentum with them and finish the season off with a bonafide winning streak heading into the playoffs.

I'll be making a rare (non-Avs) Pepsi Center appearance for Sunday's Rockets game...glad that for the Nugs, there remains something to play for.

This One's for Mike!

Some disturbing news surfaced yesterday on the eve of the first Avalanche playoff game. It was announced that Mike Haynes, the very likable TV broadcaster for the Avs, would undergo a major operation to address a brain aneurysm. Some pretty heavy shit to go down for part of the Avalanche family. Remember, Haynes would get into altercations with Red Wing fans at "the Joe" during the height of the Wings rivalry back in the 90's, when Haynes was on the radio. We'll miss your call for the playoffs....get well buddy. Strangely, the Avs' former tv guy, John Kelly, will be filling in for Haynes. Kelly will have no trouble announcing for the familiar names of Forsberg, Sakic, and Foote. It will be interesting to hear Kelly on the call again, but the circumstances are certainly less than ideal. I must make a major complaint though toward the broadcasting setup. Unless I'm interpreting my Comcast guide incorrectly, tonight's game will not be in HD. What hell, this is the playoffs!?!?! If we're stuck with low-def road games on Altitude throughout the playoffs, I'll be pissed. (Really hope I'm wrong about this....)

Puck drops in 10 minutes.....c'mon Super Avs!!

Gimme the Wild tomorrow...and in the 1st round of the playoffs

Nice piece of bedshitting tonight by the Canucks against the Flames. Their season was over before the game began...it did however influence the possible seeding for the Avs.

I'm going to go on the record and say I prefer the Wild matchup, as opposed to the Sharks. Though the Avs have admittedly not had success versus either team lately, the Sharks lineup just seems a bit more fearsome.

I'm not good with math generally, but I think if the Avs win tomorrow (or at least force OT), they will clinch a Wild 1st Round match-up. I like the possible momentum carry-over, as well as my latent Shark fandom from my Bay-Area 90's decade residency not becoming a conflict of sorts.

So Much Sports, My Head Is Spinning

What a night for Denver sports fans. The Rocks open the season with a close road win (see blakestreetbias for more), the Nugs get redemption for last night's "melt down" against the Suns, and the Avs are currently battling the Canucks in Vancouver to secure a playoff spot. At press time, the Avs are looking good up 4-2 in the 3rd. My main man Wojtek put the Avs ahead in the 2nd after the Avs fell behind 2-0 in the 1st period. If you're an Avs fan, try bad mouthing Wolski and witness instant results. Never fails, I swear.

Still a lot of hockey to play....let's make it a trifecta fellas!

Rivalry Monday Night

Packers vs. Vikings and the Broncos vs. Raiders on opening week. Anyone else a little bit stoked with this brilliant scheduling. Though I'm not a big fan of division games in week one (especially since there are only 6 division games in a season) the Monday night factor is just plain huge.

Don't think I'm going to pony up for the Ticket this year. Probably would be a lot healthier on my constitution if I became a little more emotionally detached from the Pack. Seems like Bushwoood CC is already filling the void.

Free extra innings hey?......I'm guessing the Rox have two off days and 3 day games during my free week. Either that or they play the Dodgers in a 4 game set.

"It's going to be a great year"

Coach Q Could Learn Something from Johnny Fever

As confirmed yesterday by DT and myself, Coach Q's often-aired "GMC Rocks" commercial starts with some rather curious DJing...."You're on the air. Let's go to the phones." What?!?!?! In addition to this spot being way over-played and highly annoying, it doesn't even make sense. Makes me pine for the days of Bob Hartley yelling at an engine block "YOU QUIT ON ME!!"

More importantly, the Avs scratch out a much-needed point on the road against the Wild. While two points would've been sweet, considering they quickly fell behind 2-0 and the Wild's defensive style of play, this was a "good" OT loss on the road. With Calgary losing last night to the Canucks, the 6-8 spots got even tighter. A win in Vancouver Tues would be huge!

SUPER JOE! SUPER AVS!

Holy Shit...that game was a doozy. Besides offering up the 1 point to the Oilers it had it all. Lead changes, lots o' goals, and division rivals scrappin'.

What about the heroics from the GOD DAMN most clutch hockey player in this NHL era? There could be some stats that prove me wrong on that point, but I don't know and don't care for hockey stats, all I know is sitting in my chair or in the stands over the years watching Avs games since the move to CO, I have seen nothing but hope spring when the dude is on the ice. Look at his goal totals during this injury-fucked season, there ain't many...however, a large majority of those goals were crucial. Joe is the obvious hero, but props to Brunette too, he's been a huge part of this late season run of success.

Tonight was exhilirating hockey. Glad to know TD, Mrs. ST, and Sumo were kickin' it in the Can for the spectacle. Our nation's indifference towards hockey needs more games like that to sway the non-believers to the good-side. whoo-wee.

Lappy felt like bringing it tonight...

Das Boot whips Adair Group Inc. and Hans Hurt His Hand

HANS'
HAND

Hey there Young Bear....I got your Das Boot post right here.

Don't recall you actually doing what is seen to the right, even though you earned one...we really need to keep on top of homerun related Boot chugging responsibilities. Perhaps that duty could be part of the lineup card each week? Killer victory tonight against a team that took themselves way TOO seriously for the most part. Allow some joy into your softball evenings fellas....even when you're enduring 13 run innings thrown at you by a bunch of beer swilling scallywags.

Roberto is a suit

Stating the obvious, obvi, but t'was great to see this suit get pulled before the end of the 2nd period. ST and TD get their little jinx ended, which I assume will be followed up by a full report. I'm sure they both had a great time at the game, but maybe not as much fun as I had at a kickass avs party... which coincidentally was at TD's pad: some high definition, a couple of pooches, and some HLLs (I owe you some beers).

Anywho, that was a huge win against a team that is also fighting to keep their postseason hopes alive. Everyone contributing, and props to our checkers. Guiete and McLeod both with goals, and Lappy practically killing that one penalty all by himself. And of course, a big game by The Duke as well. On a side note, as Mike and Peter kept on mentioning during the game, Dallas sucks now, so the Northwest teams could eliminate the Stars before the playoffs even start. (huh? whammy?)


The heck with this 8th seed shit!

You will respect this shutout too.

After a poor goaltending performance this weekend, Jose comes up with a pretty crucial shutout. The Avs are just straight up looking like a feistier team tonight. And as TD pointed out a few weeks ago, it must be playoff time, as I'm shouting loud enough during Av goals to be freaking out my slumbering canine. The game definitely had the playoff feel, at least it did in my TV room.

And the Nugs win as well, to have the Can teams at 2 for 2 for the evening. J.R.'s kind of been dishin'em lately.

War the NW still within reach.

(Dupe post approaching?)

The Great Wall of Theo

Talk about coming up big when you need to....The Avs, led by another brilliant job in net by Jose, come up with a very, very large victory against the Flames. It was a very blue collar effort by the Avs, who were solid defensively and saved by Theo when there was a rare breakdown. Getting a shutout against Iginla and that f*ck Phaneuf. Thank god, we were able to capitalize on a couple of the few opportunities and put a couple past Kiprusoff. Good to see Peter back on the ice, who didn't have a great game, but provided some spark. Things got rather chippy in the 2nd period. Would've been nice to see Footer involved in the many scrums that were breaking out. Get that hip fixed, my friend.

Avs fans can now exhale, for the time being......things are so tight in the NW Division, the stress ain't going to subside anytime soon. Let's hope myself and ST can reverse our inhouse luck at the Can on Wed.

Caller: Cindy from Westminster

HUGE win for the Avs tonight, and a mighty solid one at that, I must say. Great Defense. Great Goaltending. No need to call up a trio of unknowns from Double-A to get these points.

Obvious effort in the defensive zone from Wolski, not sure I've ever noticed him playing D with such purpose?? Great night from a couple guys I don't think of as difference-makers usually, Tyler and Jordan (I use their first names because they sound fruity & gay) The insurance goal had some fucking amazing assist-work from Smyth and Stastny.

Theodore was money. That shutout was a good one. Let's keep this momentum on the upswing for Wednesday night's game against the Nux. I know me and TD would appreciate it up in da' 350.

I'm currently in talks with a couple labels for the rights to release the debut of my one-person doom metal, stratified dark guitar landscapes project, "Salei's Eye", it sounds like Ruslan's right eye looks.

This Game Blows...

Not how I intended my Sat afternoon to unfold. The Avs look timid and sloppy and Theo had a pretty rough 1st period. C'mon Super Smyth, this is your house!! Didn't we just trash these guys 5-1 last time? I'm not turning it to the Rockies-DBacks game yet, but I'm getting tempted. Seems like a month since the Avs last won.

So Long Jason...

...and bring your weird religious-football-novel-writing-crap with you down to Hotlanta.

Seriously, people really like to have gods and such, so I shouldn't bring that into the conversation I guess, and Jason Elam was a cornerstone of Broncos football for years, of that there is no room for argument. (unlike any religion debate)

The dude holds the franchise records in games played in a Broncos uniform to begin with, and I was really wishing he would be back. He was totally clutch last year for a team that pretty much blew, and that probably allowed him to get a 4-year (wow!?!) deal out of Atlanta. The Falcons though do seem to love an aged kicker. see: Morten Andersen

Hard to get too nutty bent out of shape about the departure of a kicker, but #1 will be missed and he will definitely wind up on the Ring of Fame. Rich Karlis and David Treadwell can't say that...

Now for a photo that I'd prefer to have as a lasting image of Jason Elam, Denver Bronco...kicker.

Forecast calls for Das Boot

A great day in sports, especially if you're working at home. You got fantasy golf scores on my PC and the tourney blaring on the TV. But what has this town so jacked up is opening day for a certain group of champions. Of course, I'm talking about the same team that took this town by storm last October by winning the E/D League championship. To compliment their run to glory, the local MLB team also had nice little end to their season around the same time. But Das Boot fever is brewing again in this mile high town. Let's get it on!!

How about a little defense now....

Can the Nugs employ a defensive strategy of some kind? As fun as that Sonics beat-down was...you just won't score 168 points everynight...and apparently if they don't, they won't win many games.
Granted the final shot tonight was a tad flukey...

That's alot of points...

To the right is the only existing evidence of defense being played in tonight's Nuggets/Sonics game. Crazy shit. Quite fun watching a Nugs game only being concerned about how badly you kick a team's ass. Pretty much able to nestle into that comfort-zone by halftime.

Franchise records getting broken all over the damn place, triple doubles getting thrown up on the boxscore, and basketball on my TV with no mention of bubbles or brackets, on a day that it was freaking unavoidable for the most part.

Oh, and by the way, in that picture, K-Mart got called for a foul which resulted in 2 made free-throws, so may not technically be a true defensive play. Ruling?

Whatever, a truly smile-cracking game of B-ball. Long live offense.

Not atop the Northwest any longer...

I don't like these teams...I wish they wouldn't win any more hockey games. (WTF, Do I need to add the freaking Oilers to this list too? They just ended the Sharks 11 game win streak tonight and are actually looming in the NW cellar)

Viva the Northwest....the best division in hockey.

Atop the Northwest

With all of this blog construction I've been doing lately, I figure why not do a quick early game avs post. Going into tonight's game in 1st place in the Northwest Division, and a win tonight will mean we remain at that spot. Sounds like the avs will be shorthanded yet again tonight, with the exception of Salei (pretty ruthless blackeye he's curretnly rocking). Budaj will be in net, bringing his 4-0 record versus oilers into this evening's game. I guess Jose doesn't play well against Edmonton.

It's been about a week since I've seen an Avs game, so I'm ready to watch this red-hot hockey team. With the crude winning seven of their last eight (and being just as red-hot), it should be quite the battle tonight... Come on Super-Avs!

("I don't like All-Access Night!!!")

Hurdle & Company Have Moved

From now on, Rockies-themed posts will be happening at the new sister site: Blake Street Bias. See the link on the left.

Dancing animated Dingers coming soon.

Rumble with the Ducks

Big game tonight at home against the red-hot, reigning Stanley Cup champs, the Anaheim Ducks. Hopefully the also rather red-hot, home team can rise to the occasion, all games at this point in the season are important, especially with the bottom of the West's playoff picture as tight as it is, and a win against the Ducks would continue this nice upward trend in momentum.

So....let's see some pre-playoffs, playoff style of play, Avs!

Fairly encouraging news on the Smyth front. Depressing news on the Svatos front.

Peter's Line Looks Good To Me

I didn't get a chance to see the 1st period, but the 2nd period action has been entertaining, with exception of that unlucky PP goal by the Canucks. The Sakic-Forsberg-Hejduk line seems to be gelling like it were 2000. Kind of troubling that they have no goals to show for all the slick passing. (As the YB pointed out, you can almost hear fans yell "Shoot It" through the TV.) That will come soon, no doubt. Hopefully here in the 3rd period.

Win or lose, it's great to see Sakic and Forsberg skating again. Go Avs!!!

3 More Years of Hawpe

Sounds like the Rocks and Hawpe have agreed to a 3-year deal (going through the arbitration years) with a team option to extend into the first free agent year. Another move that looks like the team has a plan to commit multi-year deals with a sizable amount of jack to good young players, without totally breaking the bank.

If Holliday and Atkins get extension deals, Rockies fans might have to change their tune about management....keep up the good work boys....

Five days until DT and myself head to Tucson to check out some Cactus League action.

Put Your Helmet On, Son

Jesus, that hit was brutal. Not dirty, just a brutal hit on another Av player. Hope Smyth is alright. Great win, but kind of costly. Not too much Svatos, too much Svatos better be alright. And here's to Ryan Smyth knowing what country he's in...I dedicate tomorrow's headache to RS.

I'm Now the Old Guy at the Meat Puppets Show

A couple of nights ago, the legendary SST band and KTH darlings, the Meat Puppets graced the stage of the Gothic Theatre in Denver. It's been about 15 years since I've last seen the Puppitos play live and I must say they did not disappoint. While the set was a tad short (they were opening for Built to Spill), the set list was pretty satisfying. After opening with the epic Touchdown King, they ripped through other classics such as Lake of Fire, Up on the Sun, Sam, and Plateau.

And while the band didn't seem to have skipped a beat (even with a new drummer), there was something distinctively different about seeing the Pupps again after all of these years. At past shows, I always seem to remember being a youngster at a show largely populated by an older crowd. Well, I guess I've now become that older guy who is probably a little too stoked when I hear the opening bars of Up on the Sun. I wondered if many of the 20-something crowd even noticed that Curt Kirkwood is now playing a Strat, instead of the classic sunburst Les Paul. Well, I surely did, but I'm just one of those old dudes at a Meat Puppets show.........rock on brothers.