Goaltending can a make or break a teams chances in the playoffs, and on Thursday night it not only made the break for the Colorado Avlanche but saved their butts as well.
Jose Theodore was the difference in game five of the Western Quarterfinal with the Minnesota Wild, as he faced 40 shots on his way to helping secure the Avs 3-2 victory and 3 game to two lead in the series.
The Avs top snowman turned aside all but two of those 40 shots a performance that had his team mates praising him afterwards, especially his remarkable stand in the Avalanche end of the rink in the second period when the Wild totally dominated the play.
Colorado struggled for most of the game to generate a lot of offence, mustering up only 17 shots at Minnesota’s Niklas Backstrom, and once again as it seems to be frequently in these match ups it was Andrew Brunette who did the most damage to his old team.
Discarded back in 2004, Brunette has gone on to find a home in Denver and is particularly fond of playing his old team it seems, for the third straight game he scored the first goal of the game, a key marker for a series that has ended in a 3-2 result in all but one game.
However, Thursday was all about Theodore, who has rebounded quite nicely from his early season struggles, a period of time that he may have had thoughts about his future in the Mile High City. The early disenchantment of the fans will be a forgotten period of Av history now that Theodore is in the zone, in every NHL season there is one goaltender that just gets on a remarkable run and can’t be stopped.
Theodore is putting forward his name for that campaign it seems, and judging from his play on Thursday he may be the one that will carry his team deep into the playoffs, at least that’s what they’re thinking in Denver right now.
Jose Theodore was the difference in game five of the Western Quarterfinal with the Minnesota Wild, as he faced 40 shots on his way to helping secure the Avs 3-2 victory and 3 game to two lead in the series.
The Avs top snowman turned aside all but two of those 40 shots a performance that had his team mates praising him afterwards, especially his remarkable stand in the Avalanche end of the rink in the second period when the Wild totally dominated the play.
Colorado struggled for most of the game to generate a lot of offence, mustering up only 17 shots at Minnesota’s Niklas Backstrom, and once again as it seems to be frequently in these match ups it was Andrew Brunette who did the most damage to his old team.
Discarded back in 2004, Brunette has gone on to find a home in Denver and is particularly fond of playing his old team it seems, for the third straight game he scored the first goal of the game, a key marker for a series that has ended in a 3-2 result in all but one game.
However, Thursday was all about Theodore, who has rebounded quite nicely from his early season struggles, a period of time that he may have had thoughts about his future in the Mile High City. The early disenchantment of the fans will be a forgotten period of Av history now that Theodore is in the zone, in every NHL season there is one goaltender that just gets on a remarkable run and can’t be stopped.
Theodore is putting forward his name for that campaign it seems, and judging from his play on Thursday he may be the one that will carry his team deep into the playoffs, at least that’s what they’re thinking in Denver right now.
CBC Sports-- Avalanche give thanks for Theodore
National Post-- Avalanche gain upper hand on the road
Calgary Herald-- Wild giant has Avs skating in the shade
Minneapolis Star Tribune-- This time, third period not worth wait
Minneapolis Star Tribune-- Gaborik's disappearing act is a big playoff predicament
Rocky Mountain News-- Theodore was astonishing, mythical
Rocky Mountain News-- Colorado thankful for Theodore
Rocky Mountain News-- Wild lacking goals, not confidence
Denver Post-- Avs defeat Wild 3-2 in Game 5
Denver Post-- Theodore's effort nets series lead
Denver Post-- Theodore steals show, win for Avs
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NHL.com-- Stats Pack
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