It all started New Year’s Eve, when resolutions are made but often forgotten as soon as the clock strikes midnight.
The Avalanche lost 5-2 to the San Jose Sharks the night before, dropping its record to 19-17-3. To coach Joel Quenneville, his team exhibited zero passion for its job, and he was about to show the players some.
Before the Avs’ game with the Phoenix Coyotes that night, in the visiting dressing room at the Glendale Arena, Quenneville let them have it. Start looking like you care, Quenneville screamed. Quit playing like a bunch of automatons. Quenneville did everything but tell the Avs to win one for the Gipper, but whatever he did worked.
“I think that game (against San Jose) got everybody’s attention,” Quenneville said. “I think we all needed to know that, hey, in order for us to be effective, we’ve all got to play a certain way and we’ve got to play with some emotion.”
The Avs since have won seven consecutive games. Suddenly, the playoff spot that was a worrisome subject seems like a toss-your-head-back-and-laugh afterthought. Of the team’s next seven games, six are at the Pepsi Center.
The Avs suddenly have turned into a team that frustrates opponents with its high-pressure defensive system, creating offensive chances more from turnovers and less from complicated strategy.
If there have been defensive breakdowns, the Avs are getting what they weren’t before – good goaltending to bail them out.
“David (Aebischer) has been excellent; our goaltending has been strong through this stretch,” Quenneville said. “Our lines have been in place almost through this stretch of games, and we’re getting some consistency and production.”
Avalanche defenseman Rob Blake is one of the many players who responded positively to Quenneville’s tongue- lashing. It was the right message at the right time for the whole team, he said.
“We weren’t doing the right things at all,” Blake said. “Sometimes you have to move to the very bottom before you can move up. I think that’s where it hit, that San Jose game. Some guys that always take charge of this organization did, and it’s turned around.”
Blake just hopes nobody gets too satisfied by the winning streak.
“We’ve got to build off of these games,” the 16-season veteran said. “Sometimes that happens when things get shaken up. It’s the way you respond from it that’s important.”
There seems no danger Quenneville will become satisfied by the winning streak. He said he believes the Avalanche can be better still, but is proud how the team responded to his challenge in Arizona.
“It was one of those defining games where the response was the big thing we were looking for,” Quenneville said of the 5-2 victory over the Coyotes. “It’s basically been in the locker room since.”
Avalanche captain Joe Sakic said the team has recaptured the discipline and work ethic that was there early in the season.
“We’re playing more as a five-man unit instead of being a little too all over the place,” Sakic said. “We’re not giving up as many big chances. And our goal- tending has been great. Abby’s been real good in net, and we feel good about the way we’re playing right now.”
Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-820-5454 or adater@denverpost.com.
