Thursday, January 12, 2006

Sakic laces up for number 1200

Mr. MVP Joe Sakic, pulled on those blades again on Wednesday night, marking the 1200th game that the quiet leader has played in the NHL. He became the 64th player to reach that plateau in the history of the game.

For a while though it appeared that his momentous moment would be all the Colorado fans would have to celebrate, as Cristobal Huet once again stoned the opposition, taking a 1-0 lead into the last ten minutes of play before the roof caved in on him and his Montreal team mates.

Huet who last gained attention with a remarkable performance against the Ottawa Senators, once again had to hold the fort on his own for a fair amount of time, as his fellow Habs found ways to give away the puck and far too many opportunities . Stopping 35 shots (eighteen in the first period alone, compared to the Habs paltry four shots) before Colorado would tie the game on a Marek Svatos goal at 10:30 of the third period, Huet looked impressive but eventually the Avalanche pressure would yield the go ahead and winning goal as Ian Laperriere put the game away with 3:36 to go.

David Abeischer had another fine game in the Colorado nets, turning back 25 shots on the way to the Avalanche's sixth consecutive win and Abeischer's fifth straight victory in goal. He was particularly solid in the dying seconds of the game when Montreal pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker and a flurry of action in front of the Colorado net.

A milestone for Sakic and another big win for the Avalanche, all in all a pretty happy night in the mile high city.

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