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Colorado Avalanche: Top 5 Moments of 2014-15 Season

By Austin Manak |
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I would say this Colorado Avalanche season was memorable. Despite the slow start, and a few weaknesses that prevented them from reaching the playoffs, there were plenty of standout moments.

How about Jarome Iginla leading the team with 29 goals? Ryan O’Reilly putting up points like a maniac over the final six weeks of the season was pretty awesome, right? Oh yeah, and that young stunner, Calvin Pickard. He surprised a few of you guys, and won over some fans this season too I’m sure.

At Mile High Sticking, our goal in these next couple of days is to celebrate the Avalanche season, as we get used to the reality that we won’t be watching our Avalanche play until next fall. There will be plenty of time to break down the team, analyze draft prospects, swoon over free agents, and look to the future.

For now, let’s just sit back and enjoy the top 5 moments of the 2014-15 season.

5. Jarome Iginla’s game winner in the finale

Apr 7, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Jarome Iginla (12) celebrates his goal with center

Matt Duchene

(9) and defenseman

Tyson Barrie

(4) in the second period against the Nashville Predators at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Iginla was a rock for the Avalanche all season, leading the team with 29 goals. On Fan Appreciation night in Denver, in the regular season finale against the Blackhawks, Jarome Iginla was vintage number 12.

Iginla gave the Avalanche the lead in the 2nd period on a power play goal, but it didn’t hold up. Chicago rallied, and seemed to have a bit of momentum in the 3rd period, which culminated in a tying goal for the visitors with under 5 minutes to play. The Avalanche didn’t blink.

The Avalanche got another man-advantage with minutes to go, and sent their 2nd-to-worst power play in the league on the ice, one last time. With 30 seconds left in the game, Iginla pulled the trigger from the top of the left circle — BINGO!

Avalanche fans rejoiced (although some pulled their hair out because the Avalanche dropped from 8th to 10th in the draft standings) on the goal. Either way, it was a fun way to cap off an impressive season for the ageless Iginla. It’s also

ALWAYS

fun to beat the Blackhawks.

UPDATE: I’d also like to give a shoutout and honorable mention to Danny Briere’s last second game winner in Boston. It’s hard to include every great moment in a finite list, but Briere has had an outstanding career. His shining moment with the Avs deserves a mention!

4. Semyon Varlamov‘s 54-save shutout in Chicago

April 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) defends the goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Semyon Varlamov. The dude really is the backbone of the Avalanche. I personally would go as far as saying he is their clear MVP.

The Colorado Avalanche got out-shot 54-24 in Chicago on January 7th, 2014. It didn’t phase Varly, who did what he usually does – bail the Avalanche out.

This was his Mona Lisa performance. The 54-save shutout was an NHL record for a road goaltender. Varlamov was spotted a two-goal lead thanks to Nathan MacKinnon and Max Talbot finding the back of the net in the first 1:17 of the game, and that was more than enough. He stymied an onslaught of Chicago pressure, and kept them off the scoreboard for 60 minutes.

Semyon Varlamov. The dude really is the backbone of the Avalanche. I personally would go as far as saying he is their clear MVP.

Perhaps Varly’s performance should be higher on this list. In retrospect, he probably should be. I think people take for granted what this guy does for this team, and I might be falling into that trap as well. Varlamov gives this team a chance to win games, even when they are significantly outshot. The Avalanche were one of the worst teams in the NHL in shots allowed, yet somehow they still reached 90 points.

I think Avalanche fans almost have come to expect great things from Varly, so when he does something as amazing as stop 54-shots in hostile Chicago, he doesn’t even make the top-3 moments of the season.

These next 3 better be pretty special!

 3. Calvin Pickard celebrates with style after Avalanche comeback win to beat the Jets

This game was especially memorable for me, as it was one that I was fortunate to attend this past season.

The Avalanche needed a spark on this night. They hadn’t played great hockey, and were fighting to turn their season around before the Christmas break. Gabriel Landeskog looked to provide that spark, as he dropped the gloves with Andrew Ladd in what became known as The Captain Fight.

Boy what a fight it was!

The Avalanche still found themselves trailing 3-1 in the third period, but in trademark fashion, the team came back late. Jarome Iginla cut the gap to 1 with just over 7 minutes remaining, and Ryan O’Reilly equalized with under 3 minutes to play.

In the shootout, the Avalanche got goals from Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene. Calvin Pickard was a perfect 2-for-2 making saves in the shootout, and the Avalanche went home happy. Picks also really engraved himself into the hearts of Avalanche nation, with his memorable “

come at me bro

” celebration after the game. It was also fun to watch Pickard jump into the arms of Gabriel Landeskog! Avs win! Avs win!

2. Nathan MacKinnon’s first career NHL hat-trick

Feb 22, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates his hat trick goal with left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) in the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

It’s always fun seeing the hats fly on the ice. Especially in the home arena.

Avalanche fans hadn’t witnessed a hat-trick since November of 2011, when Matt Duchene had his first career 3-goal night. They hadn’t witnessed one at the Pepsi Center since March of 2010, when Chris Stewart got one.

For MacKinnon, it was fun to see him smiling again. The Calder trophy winner hadn’t had the scoring touch everyone was hoping for in his sophomore season. His February 22nd performance against the Lightning showcased that the dynamic player we all know and love is in there, and it busted out in a big way.

MacKinnon wowed us with speed and finishing ability on the first goal. He showed off his reflexes and hand-eye coordination on goal number two. His third goal was a bit of an encore. MacK was sprung for a breakaway by his buddy, Ryan O’Reilly. Nate the Great was precise and didn’t miss. He wasn’t particularly flashy, but had that goal-scorers vibe. I’m gonna get you, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

The Avalanche ended up beating the Lightning 5-4 on this night. Unfortunately, MacKinnon went down with a broken foot a few days after this game. At least he gave us a great memory before the bad luck struck!

1. Joey Hishon‘s first career NHL goal and the ensuing water bottle bath

Apr 7, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Joey Hishon (38) is sprayed with water after recording his first NHL goal in the third period against the Nashville Predators at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Predators 3-2.Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

I might be a little bit biased. I’ve followed Joey Hishon’s story closely, and have a spot in my heart that’s been rooting for him since his career got derailed during his playoff run with the Owen Sound Attack.

It’s been a long road to recovery for Hishon, and seeing him light the lamp, and light up in a smile after scoring his first career NHL goal was awesome! This is an amazing success story of perseverance, hard work, and determination. It’s why I love sports.

It also turned out to be a very important goal. Not only was Hishon the Magician’s wrister a thing of beauty (magical, if I may…), it also proved to be the game-winner.

The legend of the goal is also aided by Gabriel Landeskog helping Joey celebrate with a face full of water as he went down the fist-bump line on the bench. Random aside… I must say, when making this list, I realized that Landy is turning in to quite the captain for this team.

There may have been a few more impressive moments for some bigger names this season. But for me, seeing a good-guy who has gone through so much score a goal in this league is what it’s all about. Well done Joey! Honorable mention to Freddie Hamilton, Dennis Everberg, and Borna Rendulic for scoring their first career goals this season as well.

As I’m sure Joey Hishon would tell you. It’s not easy to score a goal in the NHL. I’m glad Hishon’s was one for the highlight reel!

Next: Bittersweet End To A Bizarre Season

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