Avalanche Fans Feel Confident Against Oilers

It was a gloomy, wet and cold trip into Ball Arena this afternoon but it’s going to electric when the puck drops for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche.

The Avs are fresh off an emotional win over the St. Louis Blues Friday night and head into tonight’s game once again healthy (minus Sam Girard who is out for the remainder of playoffs)

We checked in with a few Avs fans to get a pulse on how they felt seeing Darren Helm score with 5.6 seconds left in Game 6, concerns about this upcoming matchup and of course, series predictions. Spoiler Alert…Avs fans feel good.

The last time the Avs were home, they blew a 3-0 lead and lost Game 5 in overtime to the Blues. Nathan MacKinnon’s third goal for now, stands as the loudest goal scored in Ball Arena for me. I could not hear myself think.

Andrew Jones was 10 years old when the Avs moved to Denver and he’s been a fan ever since. The word to describe Darren Helm’s goal with seconds left? “Elation,” said Jones. “Jumping up, scaring the cats, annoying the neighbors.”

With his first goal of the 2021-2022 playoffs, the Avs were sent to their first Western Conference Final in 20 years against the Oilers. Matt Alvarado, who has also been a fan since the Avs moved to Denver, think the biggest challenge in this upcoming series will be the scoring.

“I think it’s going to be very high scoring, so that has me concerned. I think who ever has the las goal, is going to win a majority of the games. So we have to be on top of our game and score lots of goals,” said Alvarado.

Leslie Lucero has been following the team since 1995 but only recently has she become a hardcore fan. “I was kinda worried about the second round because you know how we have that little curse out there, so I was getting kinda worried, especially when we lost Game 5.”

When you play as well as this team did in the regular season and then match it in the playoffs, you are going to be the talk of the town. Nick Beeson moved here in August and was an Avs fan immediately. “I am new but I don’t know how you can live in this city and not be a fan.”

The matchup is highlighted with McDavid vs. MacKinnon. The “new” Ovie vs. Crosby rivalry. Feeling amongst fans was if you can shut him down, the team can win the series and head to the Stanley Cup Final.

“If Edmonton is going to have any chance, it’s going to be McDavid taking over the series,” said Jones.

The Avs are halfway there to hoisting the Stanley Cup. It’s not going to get easier. Eight more wins and they are lifting Lord Stanley in front of Avs faithful.

Series Predictions :

Andrew Jones – Avs 4-1

Nick Beeson – Avs 4-2

Leslie Lucero – Avs 4-1

Matt Alvarado – Avs 4-2

Kelsey Hammond – Avs 4-1