An Avalanche is fast-approaching the upcoming NHL season, straight from Colorado!
The Colorado Avalanche have an all-new lineup and the rigor to prove themselves this year. Critics and hockey fans alike consider this a promising readjustment and are enthused about their back-to-back pre-season games with rivals Minnesota Wild.
Get a hold of Colorado Avalanche tickets for a chance to witness exciting contests, and many more as well.
Standout Moments in Colorado Avalanche History
First Stanley Cup Win 1996 – Everyone was expecting the Colorado Avalanche to put on a stellar performance in the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals at the McNichols Sports Arena and the Miami Arena. However, no one was expecting them to completely sweep the Florida Panthers. The Avs entered the finals series with a ferocity never seen before by a team that had just relocated.
Patrick Roy went toe-to-toe with Florida Panthers’ goalie John Vanbiesbrouck throughout the series. Vanbiesbrouk stopped a hundred and ten shots from Roy. Uwe Krupp’s Stanley Cup clinching goal in the third overtime of the last game became the deciding factor in the end.
Gaining a Franchise 1995 –The defining moment in Avalanche’s history was when the Quebec Nordiques headed over to Denver, Colorado. By 1995, the Nordiques were a franchise that had seen their share of ups and downs. They had the experience which Denver lacked at the time and Denver, in turn, would give the fresh start they desperately needed. A perfect match was struck and the Colorado Avalanche was founded. A later trade with the Philadelphia Flyers gained the new team Mike Ricci and Peter Forsberg, solidifying their lineup even further.
New Stadium 1999 – In the October of 1999, the Pepsi Center opened in Denver, Colorado. It became the Colorado Avalanche’s new home even though the center hosts many other events as well. The state-of-the-art arena has been renovated many times since and is a great place to enjoy some of the best ice hockey games in the US.
Colorado Avalanche Arch Rivals
Detroit Red Wings Detroit and Colorado first met in the Western Conference Finals in 1996 where the Avalanche was the underdogs. The Avs however, began on a high point and won the first two games. While Detroit defeated them in the next two games, the Avalanches won game six and advanced to the finals. Along with this neck-to-neck competition, Avalanche’s Claude Lemieux started the most intense rivalry of modern ice hockey after he smashed Kris Draper’s face into the side railings. The Red Wings have not forgiven this intentional hit and the two teams have had frequent brawls during their games ever since. Their most notable brawl took place on March 26,, 1997, when the game had to be stopped altogether because too many fights were taking place on the rink.
Minnesota Wild – During the 2013-14 season, the Colorado Detroit rivalry was more or less non-existent. However, the Minnesota Wild filled this spot after the Avalanche beat them 4-1. The rivalry became physical especially after Minnesota’s Matt Cooke took down Tyson Barrie.
Greatest Players in Colorado Avalanche History
Initially a part of the Quebec Nordiques, Valeri Kamensky is from the original Avalanche lineup. Adding 66 playoff points for the Avs, Kamensky scored 261 regular points for the franchise. The Avalanche’s first Stanley Cup was mainly due to the efforts of Kamensky’s 28-point streak in the decisive game. Uwe Krupp too is immortalized in Colorado history because of his winning goal at the Avs first Stanley Cup win. His final shot gave the Avs a 4-0 series victory over the Florida Panthers.
Claude Lemieux is a hero amongst Avalanche fans because of his animosity towards the Detroit Red Wings. Lemieux’s contributions also extend to the scoreboard. Scoring 267 regular points, Lemieux was the Avalanche’s ultimate defense in the rink— protecting key players from opponents, even if it meant getting physical or putting himself in harm’s way.
Colorado Avalanche Live Games
The Colorado Avalanche share the Pepsi Center with the Denver Nuggets. Inside the arena, you'll find some of the most loyal and knowledgeable hockey fans in the league. These fans come out and cheer their team on at any point throughout the year.
Be a part of the excitement with NHL Preseason tickets. Fans can also a great culinary experience at the Land Rover Denver Club and the Peak Pub House.
With two pre-season games lined up against the Minnesota Wild, there’s only one question on everyone’s mind, When do Colorado Avalanche tickets go on sale?
The answer is Right Here! Right Now!
