More stories in English

Monsters recap: The Heat series

Monsters recap: The Heat seriesThe Monsters played two times against the Abbotsford Heat last week.

I'm a little behind with the Monsters games, work comes in waves and apparently there is such thing as too much of a good thing. Today I'm gonna share some of my wisdom upon you so come close to grandpa and listen to what he has to say about what happened when the Monsters met the Heat.

First of all, the Lake Erie team is finally an exciting team that it's worth watching. Unlike in the past, when I was mainly watching them to see how a prospect or another is developing, now I really enjoy the games. The fact that the NHL and NHLPA are still playing games with our patience is a factor too, but even if the Avs were playing, I'd still watch the young guns from Cleveland.

So the Monsters are exciting, they're quick and aggressive, they're playing with a passion, but sometimes the same speed and passion pushes them to some mistakes and so seeing a 2-on-1 or a 3-on-2 against them was pretty normal against the Heat. Now the Heat is a great team, they have an insanely 1.000 PK percentage plus a SHG, scored against your Monsters, of which they got 3 points in two games. But with a victory in the second game on penalty shot and after leading for a long time in the first one, Lake Erie can hold their collective head up.

Now, to the names that made an impression on me in this two game series. First of all, the goalies are good. Very good. Even if he didn't get another SO, Pickard kept them in the 2nd game and took care of the penalty shots.

Sgarbossa is a very nice prospect, I've seen some good passing and some quick hands on that guy. And his penalty shot was a thing of beauty. He moved the puck so much that the goalie finally lost sight of him and he was beaten 5-hole.

I was surprised by the Austrian Pock. I don't know if he could crack the Avs roster, as the announcers were claiming, but he's a good addition.
Luke Walker and Malone continue where they left of last year, as do Elliott and Barrie. At least they get some ice time, unlike the vast majority of the Avalanche players.

Regarding the lockout, I bet we'll have NHL hockey in December. I just hope that if there is a season they learn a lesson from the NBA and don't try to cram as much games as they can in a tight schedule. Last season in the NBA was full of injuries so let's hope the NHL won't do the same mistake. If they manage to rise above the petty differences and get a season going.

Robert Ciubotaru regularly writes his personal views and opinions on the latest Colorado Avalanche news exclusively for the Eurolanche fan club website. He's also available for chats about the Green Bay Packers or the Chicago Bulls.

Robert Ciubotaru, Romania, eurolanche@eurolanche.com
06/11/2012 - 12:00
Eurolanche on Facebook
Eurolanche on Instagram
Eurolanche on X