The Colorado Avalanche fell to the Minnesota Wild 4-0 Saturday afternoon. Just one single word is needed to describe the loss.
Devastating.
The Avalanche had the opportunity to close the gap between themselves and the Wild in the standings to one point. With a game in hand, a win would have given them control of their own destiny. Instead, after an excellent first period, as has all too often been the case as of late, the team collapsed and was badly outplayed in the second half of the contest.
“After they scored that first goal we just didn’t play as well,” said head coach Patrick Roy. “We weren’t as focused, as sharp. We had something good going on, and when they scored that one, I just thought our game went in a different direction.”
That direction was down. The Avalanche simply could not stop the bleeding. Afterwards, a bewildered team sat shocked in the locker room, attempting to come to grips with what their poor effort may ultimately cost them.
“We just kind of … I don’t know what we did,” said defenseman Tyson Barrie. “We just laid an egg.”
Now, the Avalanche find themselves five points behind the Wild for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Though they do have a game in hand, and there is still a chance they will make the playoffs, they will have to climb over the Wild; and the grade is steep.
“It’s a tough road ahead, but we’re not going to feel sorry for ourselves or give up,” said forward Jarome Iginla. “There’s seven games and we’re down two and a half game, five points … A lot can happen in the next seven games.”
Though recent performances may not show it, the Avalanche are capable of come backs. This team has overcome adversity before, even earlier this season.
“When you think about where we were in November, we never quit,” said Roy. “Why should we quit today? I know the schedule doesn’t favor us. I get it. I hear that. But at the same time, we have a game at hand. Let’s play our games and play the way we are capable of.”