Avs and Red Wings rivalry still goes on

 

Stephine Chavez (HV)

 

Colorado hosted Detroit on Jan. 9th, 2007 at Pepsi Center. "Every game against them (Detroit) is a big game for us. For sure the rivalry is still there. It is always a good match-up for fans as well, " Skrastins speaks of the rivalry against the Red Wings which always has fans cheering and on their feet. The Avs played a good, solid game against Detroit but lost in the shootout 2-3. When the Avs hosted the Wings for a second time this month on Saturday, January 20th @ Pepsi Center things went a little differently.

 

For one, goaltender Dominic Hasek did not play as he had just played the night before and was given a rest. Joey MacDonald was in net for Detroit and put up a good fight with 28 saves but it wasn't enough to hold back the Avalanche. The Avs would go on to win 3-1. During the game on Jan. 20th against Detroit, Skrastins got his 5th assist for the season during the first period. Skrastins shot the puck and MacDonald made the initial save, but the puck came loose and he wasn't able to maneuver fast enough to stop Ian Laperriere from flipping a backhand into an open net at 9:45 of the first period. Speaking of the Jan. 20th game against the Red Wings, Skrastins remarks, "We played a very good game. We knew they (Detroit) played last night so we had to play a high-tempo game. They are a good team. I think we had a lot of scoring chances and had good specialty teams tonight. Every game to us now is like a playoff game. We need every two points. Tonight is a big win especially before break." I asked Skrastins what the win tonight against Detroit meant considering that the last 7 games the Red Wings played at Pepsi Center they (Detroit) won.

 

Skrastins says, "It's a good thing because it gives us confidence that we can win against them at home." Before tonight's win, the last time the Avalanche beat the Red Wings at home was Feb. 8, 2003. “It’s a big win, especially against a team like Detroit,” said goaltender Peter Budaj, who finished with 27 saves while making his 11th consecutive start. “It’s much sweeter because it’s a rival.”

 

Photo: Karlis Skrastins. © Stephine Chavez (HV)