Colorado Avalanche: Christmas Gifts from the Team

Dec 7, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate the overtime win against the Minnesota Wild at Pepsi Center. The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Minnesota Wild 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Avalanche can be an infuriatingly exciting hockey team. Find out what I see as the biggest gifts from the team and from individual players.

It’s a little peculiar sometimes being a sports fan. You share in the triumphs and agonies of a group over which you have no influence.

There’s a great camaraderie in being a sports fan, though. You develop your own language with your fellow fans. Colorado Avalanche fans know what I’m referring to when I talk about partition pushes, Game 7 tears, rat tricks denied and the passing of the Cup.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Colorado Avalanche. The team has been doing a lot of publicity related to history, and I’ll admit it’s making me a bit nostalgic for the good old days.

However, the nostalgia makes me appreciate the current team as well. Thanks to social media, the Internet in general, and this gig here at Mile High Sticking, I follow the Colorado Avalanche closer now than I ever did in their heyday.

So, in this Christmas season, I’d like to share with you what the team’s biggest gifts are to me right now. I hope you’d like to share what you think of their big gifts in the comment section below!

Next: Heart Attack Hockey

Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Heart Attack Hockey

Ok, I’ll admit it. Sometimes when the Colorado Avalanche start blowing a game, I go fold clothes or otherwise occupy myself with a household chore. I just get so frustrated.

However, I’ve seen the alternative, and its name is the New Jersey Trap. I don’t know that the Devils invented the system in the 1990s, but they popularized it. And now the Minnesota Wild executes the trap to horrible advantage. Constipated hockey — all clogged in the middle.

The Colorado Avalanche played that style of hockey to beat Minnesota in the 20th Anniversary game. It was such a delight to see Colorado win. However, the game itself was so boring, even Minnesota forward Zach Parise stated it lacked “flow.”

Luckily that’s not Colorado’s usual style of hockey. They play a much looser game. And, yes, sometimes that leads to irresponsibility on the ice — the kind that reminds me there’s dishes in the sink. However, I wouldn’t even bother turning the game on in the first place if I had to watch the Trap every night — I’d just see if the score was 2-1 or 1-0 every night and go on my merry way.

Next: Avs Playing Their Style of Hockey

Say what you want about the Avs — they’re not boring.

Next: Dutchy

Dec 11, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) and center Matt Duchene (9) celebrate the shootout win over the Winnipeg Jets at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Jets 4-3 in a shootout period. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Duchene’s Commitment to the Team

Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene is a tremendously gifted offensive player. He executes the most beautiful dekes and dangles, and he’s especially renowned for his breakaway goals. Dutchy is just so fast!

However, there are a lot of great players, and fast players, too. Dutchy’s big gift to the team is his commitment to the team. He’s a pro, and he’d be committed to any team for which he played. However, we all know the story of how he was a big Colorado Avalanche fan as a kid, and how he celebrated when he got chosen by his childhood team.

I’ve loved the Colorado Avalanche since it was rumored Colorado was getting another NHL team, so it means a lot to me that Duchene loves this team, too.

More About Matt

• Duchene vs Tavares
• Duchene Scores Manly Goal
• Dutchy Answers Trade Rumors
• Top 5 Duchene Goals from 2014-15

Next: EJ

Oct 29, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) shoots against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Erik Johnson, Just That

In case you’re new to Mile High Sticking, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson is my favorite player.

ICYMI: That’s Our Condor

He’s nicknamed Condor because of his predatory skating, and I couldn’t describe it better than that. Also, he’s got the snarkiest sense of humor:

EJ’s gift to the team is that he plays like it’s Game 7 in the playoffs every night. Granted that means sometimes he gets overly excited and makes mistakes. However, he’s also one mean mudder on the ice, and he’ll make opponents pay if they want to get past him.

My favorite gift from him to the Colorado Avalanche is his coast-to-coast play. He drives up the ice, and it’s like he’s a juggernaut. Here’s that time he did it against the Detroit Red Wings:

Plus, EJ loves animals. How can you hate a guy who loves animals? (Unless he’s on the Minnesota Wild.) Oh, and EJ hates the Minnesota Wild. Bonus!

More About Erik Johnson:

• EJ Earns Contract Extension
• EJ’s Season in Iron Maiden Songs
• Johnson’s Number Retired by Former High School
• TBT: Johnson’s 1st Avalanche Goal
• Why Johnson Shouldn’t Consider the Wild

Next: St. Patrick