{"id":173278,"date":"2025-08-25T03:03:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T03:03:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/173278\/"},"modified":"2025-08-25T03:03:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T03:03:11","slug":"good-vibes-and-memorable-moments-at-the-avalanches-alumni-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/173278\/","title":{"rendered":"Good Vibes and Memorable Moments at the Avalanche\u2019s Alumni Game"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everyone was in good spirits at Magness Arena, as the Avalanche and DU Pioneers took part in an Alumni Game to kick off early celebrations for the team\u2019s 30th season in Denver.<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t really have expectations going into this thing. But I\u2019ll admit, it was a lot of fun.<\/p>\n

The Pioneers won 8-7 in an entertaining back and forth contest that ended in a shootout.<\/p>\n

The Avs were always one of the newer teams in the league growing up. And they still technically are. But it\u2019s nice to see they\u2019ve actually got 30 years of history to celebrate now. They have three Stanley Cups, a long list of Hall of Famers, local legends, and several generations of fans. All of that was present at Magness.<\/p>\n

Hearing the roar of the crowd for Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg\u2019s introductions was really nice to see. They\u2019ll forever be legends around here. But it was also great to see how well represented DU was in the crowd \u2014 how Denver has very much become a great college hockey town with a storied Pioneers club that has become one of the best in the nation. Matt Davis got an incredible cheer from the crowd when he was introduced. That was cool.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:\u00a0New CBA Changes Likely Won\u2019t Affect Cale Makar\u2019s Next Contract with Avalanche<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

As for the game, there were quite a few things that stuck out.<\/p>\n

Dan Hinote was having so much fun. I mean the guy smiled when he was introduced before the opening puck drop and didn\u2019t lose that smile for the entire game. You could see it from every seat in the house. Even when he was dropping guys behind the Avs net in a no-contact Alumni Game.<\/p>\n

Andrew Cogliano still looks like he loves playing hockey. He scored the Avs\u2019 first goal and did an overexaggerated celebration. It felt like he was out there for more than 20 minutes, which was probably good for some of the older guys. He was, of course, reunited with Darren Helm. But he got to play with Milan Hejduk and Forsberg.<\/p>\n

Speaking of which, Hejduk with pads on looks like he did 15 years ago. He truly hasn\u2019t aged. Forsberg on the other hand, has aged, but it\u2019ll never not be fun to watch him skate. He was getting more competitive as the game went on. Davis stopped him on the breakaway during the second period.<\/p>\n

The jumbotron was doing tributes to some of the team\u2019s legends all throughout the game during commercial breaks. When they did Forsberg\u2019s, the crowd erupted and celebrated the legend. It was much deserved.<\/p>\n

I enjoyed seeing John-Michael Liles and Tyson Barrie out there. Those are two guys who played similar games, wearing the same number, for different eras.<\/p>\n

Peter Mueller recently retired from professional hockey and he was here to be part of this thing. That was honestly one of my favorite random appearances. He\u2019ll always be a story of what could have been. But in his short time with the Avs, he became a fan favorite from the moment he took off after the trade from Phoenix.<\/p>\n

It was also funny that he wore No. 8 instead of No. 88. That was a mistake by whoever had the jerseys made.<\/p>\n

If this is a sign for what\u2019s to come this year, I\u2019m excited to see what the team has in store when it comes to celebrating 30 years of Colorado Avalanche hockey.<\/p>\n


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