December 6

The waveless Beech left the snow covered Avalanche with the eye of the hurricane in their dressing room. That hurricane did not have that quiet eye that stood in the shocked Avs room, because 20 minutes prior, the torrential wind was coming out of the sails of Kaptain Ken. The doldrums turned into a violent, but emphatic storm, that lasted only a short time; but all of the sailors that were on board for the 20 minute cruise endured … in other words Kris Beech had 3 assists in beating the Colorado Avalanche 5-4. The record of 2-21-2 coming into the game resulted in the CBJ winning their 1st game in regulation over Colorado at NWA in franchise history.

Nash with two highlight goals, Zherdev adding his 10th, "You walk'em" (Joakim) Lindstrom hit a pinch hit single, and Norrena came in on relief for Pascal Leclaire who was thrown a life preserver during the between period squall. Dan Fritsche buttoned down all the hatches with the game winner @15:55 of the third, enabling the ship to cruise into port with all survivors wiping a sweaty brow. One for the ages!

"We have to find the energy" was the theme in the morning skate and prep. There are ways to find that quality, but getting the energy comes to players in many forms… tonight it took a toll on Hitch's vocal chords!!... the end result? "Bizarre"… after the heart to heart the emotion needed to be invoked somehow, someway and by someone.

The players found the way to success by getting dirty again by checking. The table was set by the second effort of Dan Fritsche, who really took it upon himself with tenacious puck pursuit in his first on ice opportunities in the 3rd period. The team then became "reckless" in the high traffic areas of the pond and tonight the group found pay dirt!

How about Ryan Smyth? The talk about the CBJ killer having a plaque placed off the glove side post of NWA was all talk… it is now being embedded in the blue of the crease where Leclaire calls home. That non call led to the 3rd goal for the Av’s. Smyth left the game tonight with 14 goals and 19 assists in 25 career games against the CBJ. Welcome to the CBJ Wall of Shame Smytty!

We certainly did not miss the heroics of Joe Sakic who was out for his third game with a groin pull. The Burnaby, B.C. product has 13 goals & 21 assists in 23 games against the CBJ. His plaque will be embedded between the high glove and the cross bar… no time soon.

Kudos should go out to Captain Adam Foote. Footer had an assist on Nash's first goal, 27:40 of ice and the vision of Ray Bourque holding Lord Stanley embedded in his mind as his most memorable moment as an Avalanche player. The true captain stood tall tonight!

Jiri, Manny, Vybs, Duvie, and Freddy hurry up and join us. We miss all of you!

Things will be Wild on Saturday! Stay tuned!

*Throughout the season, AAA will bring you the Broadcaster's Blogs - "Davidge Dishes" and "Rimer Ramblings". The Columbus Blue Jackets broadcasters will try to keep you update on all the behind the scenes action through their blogs, especially when the Blue Jackets hit the road. The next road game is 12/15 @Boston.