What would happen if the Avalanche’s equipment all burned up?
“I usually wear a new pair of skates every couple weeks anyway, so it wouldn’t be that big a deal to me,” Avs veteran Darcy Tucker said.
On Friday, the topic of equipment was on everybody’s lips throughout hockey, when a fire in the Minnesota Wild equipment truck in Ottawa destroyed much of the team’s gear.
The Wild got some new equipment in time for Saturday’s game, but some players complained it would be a hindrance for a while until it was all broken in. The Avs play the Wild on Monday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul., Minn.
“I think the biggest adjustment would be for goalies,” Tucker said. “They’re pretty particular about it.”
But Columbus goalie Steve Mason said he usually prefers to replace equipment every few weeks, especially pads, which he said get too soft before long.
Getting close.
Avs winger Marek Svatos skated hard Saturday morning with the rest of the team but did not play because of a groin pull.
Svatos is still listed at day to day, coach Joe Sacco said.
Duchene better.
Avs rookie Matt Duchene said the three days in which the Avs didn’t play a game before Saturday allowed him to heal some bumps and bruises that had been hindering him.
Duchene suffered a charley horse in a game at Florida earlier this month, and it had been slow to heal. But he said he felt back to near 100 percent.
Adrian Dater, The Denver Post
