COURT IS IN SESSION
Traffic in the lane, and outside Pepsi Center
This week will be the first time in the 2008-09 season the Avalanche and Nuggets will share the spotlight, as the NBA kicks off its season.
Minus Melo, the Nuggets start up on the road Wednesday at Utah before traveling to Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Friday.
Denver star Carmelo Anthony, who averaged 25.7 points and a career-high 7.4 rebounds last season, will serve a team-imposed, two-game suspension as punishment for his arrest in April for driving while ability impaired.
Anthony is expected to make his season debut in Saturday’s home opener against the Lakers at the Pepsi Center.
The NBA season begins Tuesday with three games, including a TNT doubleheader.
The Boston Celtics, the defending world champions, host the Cleveland Cavaliers and star LeBron James in the first matchup. The late game pits the Portland Trail Blazers against the bridesmaid Lakers. The Chicago Bulls also host the Milwaukee Bucks that night.
Turning to the ice, the surging Avs play the Flames on Tuesday at Calgary and Thursday against the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets.
After an 0-3 start, Colorado has won five in a row, including Saturday’s 2-1 shootout victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
The Avs’ five-game win streak is their longest since they won six in a row late last season, right after they traded for defensemen Adam Foote and Ruslan Salei.
Colorado center Paul Stastny has played a big part in the Avs’ streak, although he didn’t record a point in the Buffalo game, ending a seven-game point streak. Stastny’s streak to begin the season was the club’s longest since captain Joe Sakic had points in his first eight games in 1999.
Meanwhile, some little guys will skate at the Pepsi Center tonight. The championship game of the Quebec qualifier tournament begins at 6 p.m.
The winning Front Range squad ages 11-12 will be designated the Colorado Avalanche representative in February’s 50th Quebec International Pee-Wee Tournament.
The Quebec tournament is regarded as the biggest annual pee-wee event in the world, with 110 teams representing 16 countries.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
FRIGHTENING FRIDAY FOES
Mania at Magness.
Colorado College (4-0-2, 2-0-0, WCHA) will visit the University of Denver (4-1-0, 2-0-0) on Friday for a Halloween showdown between two of the top-ranked college hockey teams in the country.
The Tigers, ranked No. 1 last week, and the No. 2 Pioneers conclude their two-game series Sunday night at the Colorado Springs World Arena. The unusual day off was created to accommodate ESPNU, which will televise the series finale.
CC owned the Pioneers last season, going 3-0-1 in the Gold Pan series, which dates to 1949. DU, however, appears to have the better offense this season, although the Tigers might have the country’s top goaltender in sophomore Richard Bachman. Bachman has allowed just five goals in five games.
The polls will be released today. CC, which tied at Clarkson twice last weekend by 1-1 and 2-2 scores, could remain at No. 1. The Pioneers, who are coming off a two-game split at home against Ohio State, likely will remain in the top five.
TV GAME OF THE WEEK
Rays at Phillies, Game 5.
The World Series continues tonight with Game 5 at Philadelphia, marking the third consecutive night the Tampa Bay Rays play the Phillies in the City of Brotherly Love.
Tonight’s pregame coverage begins at 6 p.m. on KDVR-31, with first pitch pegged for 6:29.
The Series won’t last past this week. Games 6 and 7, if necessary, are Wednesday and Thursday at Tampa Bay.
TV GAME OF THE WEEK II
“Monday Night Football.”
The Indianapolis Colts (3-3) visit the Tennessee Titans (6-0) tonight for an AFC South showdown. Let’s just hope this “MNF” contest is more entertaining than last week’s, when the Broncos were embarrassed at New England.
AIR FORCE AT ARMY
Falcons hope for split in service- academy rivalry.
Bowl-eligible Air Force (6-2, 4-1 MWC) visits Army on Saturday, hoping to improve on its bowl chances and avoid a 0-2 result in the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy series. The Falcons’ last loss was to Navy, 33-27 in Colorado Springs. Young-and-maturing Air Force has won its past three games. Army is 3-5, and will begin its academy series against the Falcons. Army plays Navy on Dec. 6 in Philadelphia.
CELEBRATION IN THE SPRINGS
Five athletes, one team to be honored.
The Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame will induct its 2008 class Tuesday at the World Arena. The inductees: Art Berglund (USA Hockey), Jerry Carle (former Colorado College football coach), Chris Fowler (ESPN “College Football Game Day” host, below), Jim Scherr (USOC CEO/1988 Olympian), Erin Scholz (Doherty High basketball All-American/CU women’s star), Leonard Vahsholtz (Pikes Peak Hill Climb champion) and the 1965 Palmer High state baseball champions. Information:
