'Just learning from them': Rick Tocchet is impressed with the Colorado Avalanche from the top down
From Nathan MacKinnon to Jared Bednar, Vancouver Canucks head coach had nothing but great things to say about the Colorado Avalanche.
Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports - 'Just learning from them': Rick Tocchet is impressed with the Colorado Avalanche from the top downThe Colorado Avalanche play the Vancouver Canucks for the second of three meetings tonight. In their first game head-to-head the Avalanche had the last laugh with a 5-2 score.
Both teams have had mixed results over the last 10 games — as their 5-4-1 (Avalanche) and 5-3-2 (Canucks) records reflect.
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The Canucks crumbled in the third period of their game yesterday against the Minnesota Wild. After the first 40 minutes they were up 5-2. The Wild scored five unanswered goals in the first 5:12 of the final frame before earning the win with a 10-7 final score.
Regardless of how yesterday afternoon's matchup ended, the Canucks are a formidable foe. Meghan Angley of DNVR Avalanche took to X (Twitter) to share some of Rick Tocchet's thoughts about the Avalanche heading into tonight's game.
The Canucks head coach believes they need to be wary of this team. They are a top team in the league with players who are dangerous whenever they are on the ice, "They're high level. [Nathan] MacKinnon at any time can strike," he said.
By simplifying their game and focusing on little details, they have a chance to shut down their high powered offense. "You have to make sure you manage the puck against this team. I don't see them very often get rattled over the years," the Canucks' head coach said.
From there Tocchet went on to Angley (and other press present) about the Avalanche organization as a whole saying, "They got a great coach, great organization and they got great players."
When it comes to the adversity that the Avalanche have faced over the last few years that culminated in a Stanley Cup — Tocchet took notice from his vantage point during that run.
"I've covered this team in the media for TNT — I was here when they won the Cup. Just the way they handled adversity was nice to watch from the outside."
If there is anything Tocchet can take away from that run and how they are playing this year so far it's their confidence and determination.
"To me it's learning from them, how they handle their resolve," he said.
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