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Top 5 Colorado Avalanche Moments of 2014

By Nadia Archuleta |
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The last year was a busy one for the Colorado Avalanche. They made the playoffs, played some exciting games and saw some players come into their own. And all along they played Avalanche hockey.

Naturally, there were some low moments as well. However, as 2014 draws to a close, let’s look at the highlights of the year.

#1: Avalanche Players Win Medals in Olympics

Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene played in his first Olympic Games for Team Canada, winning gold. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Four Colorado Avalanche players made it to the Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Goalie Semyon Varlamov represented Russia, center Paul Stastny for USA, winger Gabriel Landeskog for Sweden and center Matt Duchene for Canada. That alone is impressive. Landeskog even served as alternate captain for Sweden.

However, two players came home with Olympic hardware. Landeskog earned a silver medal with Sweden. Of course, Duchene won Olympic gold with Canada.

Duchene in particular came back energized, saying, “I’ve learned how to win.” He really showed it for the rest of the season.

#2: Avalanche Make the Playoffs

The Colorado Avalanche clinched a playoff berth in a game against the San Jose Sharks. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

In the March 29, game against the San Jose Sharks, the Colorado Avalanche clinched their first playoff berth in four years. They beat the Sharks in a low-scoring but exciting game that saw goalie Semyon Varlamov make 47 of 49 saves. They took the game 3-2, helped by center John Mitchell’s goal and assist. Role player Cody McLeod even scored a short-handed goal.

One of the best parts of seeing the Avalanche make the playoffs was their touching celebration. They all rushed onto the ice and engulfed each other in a group hug with Varlamov at the center. They jumped up and down with giddy excitement, just like the ecstatic youngsters they were.

#3: Avalanche Win Exciting Game 1

The Colorado Avalanche won an exciting game one of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Avalanche won three out of seven playoff games against the Minnesota Wild, and, of course, all three felt great. However, the first playoff playoff game was a real nail biter.

Play started off right, with a goal from captain Gabriel Landeskog. However, the Wild tied the game up, and then they pulled ahead. The Avs tied on a goal from center Ryan O’Reilly, but the Wild tied scored two quick goals at the end of the second period.

The Avalanche came out strong in the third period. Winger Jamie McGinn got a goal to make the score 4-3 Minnesota. However, it rather looked like Minnie’s defensive style would end the game there, with the Avs down by one.

Then head coach Patrick Roy pulled the goalie, and the game got really exciting. The Wild almost scored an empty-netter to seal the deal. That puck was skidding down the ice, and it was going in.

Defenseman Erik Johnson saved the game. He flew down the ice and just prevented the puck from going in the net:

Stastny scored a few seconds later to send the game into overtime, and again midway through the overtime period to win game 1.

#4: Avalanche Win Trophies

Jun 24, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Calder Trophy winner Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche poses with the trophy during the 2014 NHL Awards ceremony at Wynn Las Vegas. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

While the Avalanche did not have the end to their postseason we had all hoped for, they did do well at the NHL Awards.

Three Avalanche players were nominated for awards. Nathan MacKinnon was up for the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year, Ryan O’Reilly for the Lady Byng for sportsmanlike conduct and Semyon Varlamov for the Vezina Trophy for goal tending. Head coach Patrick Roy was also up for the Jack Adams Award for coaching. The Avalanche were the most-nominated team in the NHL.

MacKinnon, O’Reilly and Roy all walked away with their trophies.

#5: Landeskog Participates in Captain Fight

Colorado Avalanche winger Gabriel Landeskog’s captain fight capped the 2014 year. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The other four events seem like real accomplishments. On the face of it, Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog’s fight against Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd may not seem in the same league. And maybe it is not. However, it was a significant and exciting moment in an otherwise disappointing first half to the season.

Not to linger on the negatives, but the Avalanche did not start the much-anticipated 2014-15 season the way the Avs Nation and they themselves had hoped. It took them far too long to even get to 500 hockey, and they didn’t manage to stay there for long. They had some really disappointing stretches, including a slump by Landeskog himself, and a time of getting booed in the Pepsi Center.

Those depressing facts did not change in the course of the Jets game, though the Avs did win. Rather, the fight between the two captains showed a spark from the Avalanche that many felt had been missing. It was a spirited fight to be sure, and one that Landeskog won by all accounts, including Winnipeg’s own media.

However, the significance of the battle came in the fact of the battle itself, the fact that the Avalanche had enough in them in the midst of the depressing season to still show some spark. It was the fact of our young, handsome captain throwing down with an older, more experienced player — and winning. It gave the Avs Nation hope for the team and for the season.

So, as 2014 nears its close, and with just one more game until the new year, let’s remember the positives from the year for Colorado Avalanche hockey. There have been some disappointments, but the Avalanche are our team, and they never stay down.

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