Don't believe the hype

After thrilling series, Avs go out with a whimper

First times are always memorable and often more so because of the buildup than the eventual act. Take a minute to think of some of the firsts in your own life. Did the anticipation match the reality? Well, it certainly did not in the first Game 7 between the two teams that comprise the NHL’s most riveting rivalry.

Fans and players alike were looking forward to this defining moment. Two shots into the game, however, Patrick Roy was lobbying for a do-over. No such luck. By the end of the first, Roy had seen four of eight shots elude him and with those misses went the Avs' hopes of defending their title.

Instead, Colorado had little to offer. Beaten up physically entering the game, it was obvious early that those battle scars went deeper than flesh and bones -- mentally the Avs were spent. Conversely, the Red Wings were physically strong and mentally refreshed after a convincing performance in Game 6. They didn’t want to change anything and they didn’t have to adjust.

The Wings' veterans and coaching staff maintained an even keel throughout the series, even when they weren’t getting the desired results. On this night, their approach was the same and they got those desired results -- and then some -- because the Avalanche couldn’t answer with the same focus and drive.

Chalk it up to the cumulative effect of the Red Wings’ high level of play throughout the series. Colorado's injury total was evidence of Detroit’s physical torment. The Avs' collective reaction to the first two shots on goal going in exposed the mental toll exacted by their enemy over the course of the series. They knew they had to be perfect and when they got off to an unexpected shaky start, they folded. Intensity was lost and so too was inspiration. Those ingredients had to be in evidence along with exemplary exploits from Roy, Peter Forsberg, Joe Sakic and Rob Blake. The game ended while Colorado was on a power play -- time mercifully winding down -- with all of those luminaries on the bench.

That scenario -- hard to imagine hours earlier -- had to be a first for them as well, proving some firsts do accurately portray the outcome.

Three Stars

1. Tomas Holmstrom: His fine deflection on the game’s first goal foreshadowed what we now know -- the Wings wanted this more than the Avs and were prepared to do more from the outset.

2. Steve Duchesne: He followed up an inspired Game 6 performance with another energetic effort.

3. Dominik Hasek: Hasek was able to deliver the confidence Roy couldn’t provide for his team. In the process, he set the all-time mark for shutouts in a playoff season with five ... and counting.

Darren Eliot, a former NHL goaltender, will provide Stanley Cup Playoffs commentary throughout the postseason for CNNSI.com. Eliot will be joining Sam Rosen and Gary Green on NHL Radio's broadcasts of the Stanley Cup finals.

 

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