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Tuesday, November 3, 1998
No fun for Avs
Roy's play one of many problems
The latter seems impossible, since the club still features many of the same star players who won the Stanley Cup 21/2 years ago. But chemistry problems, weak goaltending and a running feud between general manager Pierre Lacroix and the Denver media have made for a truly dysfunctional family.
The crowds at the McNichols Sports Arena this season have not been patient with the 3-6-1 Avalanche. In fact, the patrons are ticked. Their boos are a reminder that Denver hockey fans haven't experienced a loser since Don Cherry coached the ill-fated Rockies in the 1970s.
"Hey listen, when you have expectations like everyone has for our team, then you should not have fun," Avalanche goaltender Patrick Roy told The Denver Post. "You should not laugh.
"It's fun when you win. That's the way it is. That's the only way I learned it was in Montreal, anyway."
Roy took last night off as the Avalanche defeated the Carolina Panthers 3-2. However, Roy, a three-time Cup winner, will be back in goal tomorrow night when Colorado faces the Maple Leafs at the Gardens.
To many observers, Roy has been one of the Avs' biggest problems this season.
He showed signed of improvement against Nashville on Saturday, but what does it tell you when a 3-2 loss to an expansion team is a confidence-builder?
Roy admittedly has struggled with his focus, to the point of spending hours watching game tapes to dissect his mediocre performances. The Colorado coaching staff has urged Roy to quit watching tapes and just relax.
But coaching is an issue in itself, with Bob Hartley having replaced Marc Crawford. Hartley has been accused of being in over his head, but the media critics have saved their sharpest darts for Lacroix.
Lacroix's list of alleged crimes are many, but it all boils down to the contention that he lets grudges and his ego get in the way of his judgment.
The most talked-about symbol of this is the fact his son, left winger Eric Lacroix, had to ask for a trade because he felt his presence in the Avs dressing room had become a focal point for the suspicions of other players.
"When you have a slow start in professional sports, little things sometimes become a bigger distraction," Pierre Lacroix said after Eric was shipped to the Los Angeles Kings.
"That's exactly what we are going through right now."
Added Roy, "I have to stop thinking 'It's bad luck and bad luck and bad luck.' Maybe we're feeling sorry for ourselves."
