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Articles by Len Vlahos
Life in a Fishbowl Book Review
age 13+ Quirky terminal-illness tale mixes right to die, reality TV. Parents need to know that Life in a Fishbowl is a terminal-illness story with a large cast of characters. A few are teens, but most are adults, and the narration goes back and forth between lots of different points of view. Profanity includes "s--t," "f--k," and variations on both of those. Sexual stuff is rare but there's mention of depravity and prostitution without details.
4 Avalanche Predictions for 2023
We’re nearing the end of the calendar year, and as weird as it feels to say, there aren’t really many players on the Toronto Maple Leafs that I have a bone to pick with.
4 Avalanche Predictions for 2023 Original
The Colorado Avalanche will be finishing the first half of the 2022-23 season with a record of 19-12-3. Their 41 points are good enough for fourth in the Central Division and sixth in the Western Conference. It may seem like a lackluster performance for the defending Stanley Cup champion, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, Las Vegas odds makers still have the Avalanche as the team most likely to win the Stanley Cup.
3 Potential Trade Destinations for Blues’ Ryan O’Reilly
I always thought the St. Louis Blues would be at a crossroads with Ryan O’Reilly at some point this season. I believe that the Blues should trade him to receive assets in return. Losing him for nothing would be a bad move for the franchise, especially for the future. If the Blues stay out of contention, then trading him is the best move. Rentals like O’Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Ivan Barbashev should all be dealt in that scenario.
3 Takeaways From Avalanche's 4-2 Loss to the Sabres Original
The Colorado Avalanche welcomed the Buffalo Sabres to Ball Arena in Denver Thursday (Dec. 15) for the second and final regular-season meeting between the two teams. The Avalanche got the better of the Sabres in a wild game two weeks ago in Buffalo with a 6-4 win, but couldn’t get the job done at home last night. Colorado out-shot Buffalo 41-21, but the Sabres survived a late charge from the Avalanche to secure a 4-2 win. With the loss, they fall to 15-11-2.
3 Takeaways from the Avalanche's 5-3 Loss to the Flyers Original
The Colorado Avalanche traveled to the Wells Fargo Center Monday night to face a struggling Philadelphia Flyers team. The Flyers were losers of 12 of the last 13 entering the contest, with the least effective power play in the league, converting on only 14.1 percent of opportunities. But the depleted Avalanche lineup, already losers of two of the first three games on this four-game road trip, couldn’t handle the Flyers.
3 Takeaways from the Avalanche's 5-0 Loss to the Jets
The Colorado Avalanche took a depleted squad into the Canada Life Centre Tuesday night to face the Winnipeg Jets. The Avalanche, 4-0-0 on the road in November, were seeking to end the month with a perfect record away from home, but it was not to be. The Jets, behind a strong performance from goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, shrugged off 40 shots on goal from the Avalanche, to record a dominating, 5-0 shutout performance.
How to Excavate a Heart
Jewish holiday romances have largely been relegated to Christmas tales with some Jewish characters, Hanukkah love stories that wish they were Christmas love stories, or the rare Jewish holiday chronicle filled with lazy stereotypes. But not this delightful holiday romance by Jake Maia Arlow — no, this book is for the Jewish gaze (pun intended).
3 Takeaways from the Avalanche's 3-2 Loss to the Blues
The Colorado Avalanche ended a three-game home stand Monday night playing host to their division rivals, the St. Louis Blues. The Blues, who took the Avalanche to a sixth game in a hard-fought division series in the Stanely Cup Playoffs last season, came into Monday’s contest with a lackluster record of 5-8-0. After losing eight straight games, St. Louis had rattled off two straight wins and came into Denver like a team on a mission.
3 Takeaways from the Avalanche's 5-3 Win Over the Predators
The Colorado Avalanche returned to Ball Arena in Denver Thursday night from a two-game trip to Finland, and a four-day break, to host the Nashville Predators. It was the first game on home ice for Colorado since Oct. 21, 20 days ago. After getting down 1-0 early in the first period, the Avalanche rattled off five unanswered goals in the first and second periods, putting the game out of reach.
Avalanche Need to Look to AHL Eagles for Bottom-6 Help
Five of the Colorado Avalanche’s top six forwards are off to a tremendous start. Nathan MacKinnon has 19 points in 11 games, and six times in the young season he has tallied multi-point efforts. Mikko Rantanen’s seven goals in 10 games are tied for 12th in the league, and even Valeri Nichushkin, sidelined for the last four games with a lower-body injury, has five power-play goals, which is tied for second in the league. Evan Rodrigues and Artturi Lehkonen are off to strong starts as well.
Eight Nights of Flirting
In Hannah Reynolds’s latest young adult novel, Shira Barbanel creates a master plan to win over her crush during her family’s Hanukkah celebration. Sixteen and clueless about how to flirt, Shira knows she needs to step up her game to catch Isaac’s attention. The logical way to solve this problem: ask her former crush Tyler for flirting lessons. He’s charming and popular, so there’s no one better for the job.
3 Avalanche Takeaways From 3-2 Win Over the Rangers - 10/25/22 Original
The Colorado Avalanche traveled to Madison Square Garden Tuesday night (Oct. 25) to take on the New York Rangers in what many early prognosticators think could be a preview of the Stanley Cup Final. Both teams came into the game with identical 3-2-1 records, both with unexpected losses to weaker teams, and both with similar goals for and goals against stats. The game was played at a blistering pace with aggressive forechecks on both sides of the ice.
Beer League Chronicle: In Search of a Goal, the Finale
In previous editions of this column, I introduced readers to my brief career as a beer league hockey player. To catch you up in three short paragraphs: I’m entering my fourth season of adult league hockey in suburban Denver. I’m the captain of a team called Blucifer’s Devils (the B’Devils for short) in my local rink’s D3 league, which is the lowest level of play they offer. In the more than 60 games I’ve played with the B’Devils to this point, I have not scored a single goal. None. Nada. Nothing.
3 Takeaways From the Avalanche's 3-2 Win Over the Golden Knights
The Colorado Avalanche looked to snap a two-game winless streak as they skated into T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night to take on the Vegas Golden Knights. Colorado was coming off an overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night and a 3-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Friday. The Avalanche were outshot 38-20 on Friday night and looked very little like the team that won the Stanley Cup just four months ago.
3 Takeaways from the Colorado Avalanche's 6-3 Win Over the Wild Original
After opening the season with a win and a loss in back-to-back contests, the Colorado Avalanche enjoyed three days of rest before traveling to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul to take on the Minnesota Wild. The Wild, who finished second to the Avalanche in the Western Conference last season with a franchise-best 113 points, entered the game with an 0-2 record.
3 Takeaways From the Avalanche's 5-2 Win Over the Blackhawks
The Colorado Avalanche raised a Stanley Cup Championship banner at Ball Arena in Denver Wednesday night for the first time in 21 years. The ceremony at center ice featured the entire 2022-23 roster, as well as the Stanley Cup, which injured team captain Gabriel Landeskog paraded around the ice. The festivities also featured Mark Hoppus, bass player and vocalist for Blink-182. The band’s song, All the Small Things, became an anthem for Avalanche nation during the club’s run up to the championship.
Ken Dryden's The Series, A Must-Read for Hockey Fans Original
Move over, Dos Equis commercial actor, because former Montreal Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden just might be the most interesting man in the world.
MacKinnon Shines Bright at Avalanche Training Camp Original
The defending Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche took to the ice for a two-day training camp at Family Sports Center in Centennial, Colorado, this week. The sessions were open to the public, and this report focuses on the second day of camp, Friday, Sept. 23.
Beer League Chronicle: In Search of a Goal, Week 2
Last week I introduced readers to my personal hockey history. Having learned to ice skate in my 50s, I’m entering my fourth season of beer league hockey and have not yet scored a single goal. Sad, but true. I played defense in my team’s (Blucifer’s Devils) first game of the season and put only one puck on the net. Unfortunately, it was on my own net (a bad deflection of a blocked shot). Fortunately, it did not go in.
Beer League Chronicle: In Search of a Goal, Week 1
Hockey fans are not like other fans. Sure, some people are passionate about football, basketball, and baseball, but they’re individuals who love a sport. Hockey fans are a tribe. A rabid, opinionated tribe, but a tribe. We argue about our teams, about the intent behind a certain hit, about the draft, the trade deadline, and free agency. But at the end of the day, we’re like a family.
Av's AHL Affiliate Eagles Looking for Another Strong Season Original
The Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League (AHL) are the Colorado Avalanche’s main affiliate to feed them talent. The club, located just under an hour north of Denver in Loveland, is coming off a successful season. The team made it to the Pacific Division finals (third round) of the Calder Cup Playoffs, losing the best-of-five series 3-1 to the Stockton Heat.
5 Colorado Avalanche Predictions for the 2022-23 Season Original
The Colorado Avalanche will enter the 2022-23 season as the odds-on-favorite to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions. The team has kept most of their core group intact, with Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, Mikko Rantanen, Valeri Nichushkin, Artturi Lehkonen, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews all returning this fall. Still, winning back-to-back championships in any sport is an uphill battle, and the Avalanche will be put to the test.
3 Avalanche Storylines to Follow Heading into 2022-23 Original
The opening game for the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 12, at home against the Chicago Blackhawks, is just 50 days away. The club and its fans will celebrate raising the Stanley Cup Championship banner to the rafters of Ball Arena that night, where it will join similar banners from 1996 and 2001. For the third consecutive year, the team also heads into the new season as the betting favorite to win the Cup.
All the Shining People
Skip to main content Jewish Book Council, founded in 1944, is the longest-running organization devoted exclusively to the support and celebration of Jewish literature. Get the latest reviews, news, and more in your inbox. Fiction Kathy Friedman Review By – July 5, 2022 Kathy Friedman’s All the Shining People is a raw, moving collection of stories sure to keep readers engaged.
Avalanche's Game 2 Win Over the Lightning, By the Numbers
The Colorado Avalanche looked to hold onto home-ice advantage as they hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final last night at Ball Arena in Denver. The Avalanche—winners of a hard-fought, overtime contest in Game 1—put on a clinic, dominating every facet of play, and blowing the doors off the Lightning with a 7-0 victory.
Scouting the St. Louis Blues in Round 2 vs. the Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues, the first two teams to advance out of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, will face each other in the second round beginning this week. The Avalanche were the number one seed in the Western Conference, finishing with 119 points in the regular season. St. Louis was seeded fourth with 109 points, but entered the postseason having won 12 of their final 15 games.
As If On Cue
By – March 3, 2022 School budget cuts often focus on reducing the size and scope of school arts programs – a hotly contested and highly emotional issue within local communities. Marisa Kanter’s new novel makes a compelling case for schools to prioritize arts education, including arts extracurriculars, using creativity and ingenuity to compensate for the sometimes-unavailable funds.
Alma Presses Play
By – February 24, 2022 Written in verse, this lyrical novel follows thirteen-year-old Alma Rosen, who is going through relatable life changes. Alma describes difficult events, including friction with friends, her parents’ impending divorce, and the feelings of angst and uncertainty, as she reflects on her past and forges a path towards her future. The author incorporates some unique elements, which enhance Alma’s narrative.
Avalanche 2021-22 Second-Half Predictions
The Colorado Avalanche finished the first half of the 2021-22 season with 68 points in the standings, and the best winning percentage (.773) in the NHL. They are first in the Central Division and Western Conference and have at least one point in seventeen straight games, a franchise record. The club has a record of 15-0-2 over that stretch.
4 Takeaways from the Avalanche's Overtime Win Against the Bruins - 1/26/22
The Colorado Avalanche hosted the Boston Bruins for the first time since October 2019 on Wednesday and came away with a hard-fought, 4-3 victory in overtime. After taking an early 1-0 lead, the Avalanche surrendered three unanswered goals in the second period, as the Bruins took control of the game. But they scored twice in the third, including the equalizer 37 seconds before the final horn to force overtime.
Bad Luck Bridesmaid
By – January 10, 2022 Marriage? Forever love? Commitment? These notions haunt Zoey Marks as she endures serving as a “bad luck bridesmaid” at three failed weddings. She is currently bracing herself for another go-around at her best friend’s upcoming nuptials. Bad Luck Bridesmaid is an entertaining, readable, and witty novel celebrating many aspects of love, but it is not your predictable, happily-ever-after romcom story. Zoey is a new kind of complex modern heroine.
5 Avalanche Players Who Probably Won’t Be Back Next Season
After a slow start (4-5-1), the Colorado Avalanche are the hottest team in hockey. They’ve gone 13-2-1 in their last 16 games, winning their last five in a row. Most impressive, they’ve done this while still battling the injury bug, with captain Gabriel Landeskog and first-line defenseman Devon Toews the latest to be sidelined. In short, the team is finally using its skill and depth to live up to its Stanley Cup aspirations. It’s a good thing, because the Avalanche are built to win this year.
3 Takeaways from the Avalanche's 3-2 Win over the Panthers - 12/12/21
The Colorado Avalanche handed the Florida Panthers only their fifth loss in 27 games this season, with a 3-2 victory Sunday night at Ball Arena in Denver. It was Colorado’s fourth straight win and the 12th in their last 15 games. They are currently in fourth place in the hotly contested Central Division, only five points out of the top spot. The two teams played a high octane, physical, and remarkably even contest that had the feeling of a playoff game.
3 Takeaways from Avalanche's 7-3 Victory over the Rangers - 12/8/21
The Colorado Avalanche wrapped up their five-game road trip with a visit to Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night to face the surging New York Rangers. After surrendering 20 goals in the first four games of the trip, a familiar refrain this season, the team was in desperate need of a strong defensive showing. While the Avalanche limited the Rangers to three goals, defense wasn’t the story.
Big Questions Surround Avalanche Goaltending
When Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper suffered an injury during the morning skate this past Tuesday in Toronto, it exposed a number of questions about the strength and depth of the team’s goaltending corps. Those questions were exacerbated when backup goaltender Jonas Johansson turned in bad performances in two of the team’s last three games.
3 Takeaways from the Colorado Avalanche's Loss to the Maple Leafs
In a game that was hyped as a possible Stanley Cup preview, the Colorado Avalanche made their first trip to Scotiabank Arena in two years and were beaten handily by the red-hot Toronto Maple Leafs.
This Could Be Erik Johnson's Last Season in an Avalanche Sweater
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson is quietly putting together an impressive season. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound veteran has two goals, five assists, and a plus-9 rating in 18 games. While those are good numbers for a player on the blue line, they’re not great, especially compared to his teammate Cale Makar. But Johnson’s game isn’t based on offensive production. On a defense made up of fast-skating and sharp-shooting finesse players — Makar, Samuel Girard, Devon Toews — Johnson is old school.
Avalanche's Gamble on Nichushkin Is Paying Dividends
In nine games this season, Colorado Avalanche right winger Valeri Nichushkin has five goals, four assists, and a plus/minus of plus-9. It’s the most productive nine-game stretch of Nichushkin’s career since he had 10 points and a plus-11 in December 2013, his rookie season. And it is by far the best start to a season Nichushkin has had since joining the NHL.
3 Takeaways From the Avalanche's Convincing Win Over the Predators
In the first meeting between these two division rivals in nearly 21 months, the Colorado Avalanche had no problem handling the Nashville Predators in Denver Saturday night, winning 6-2. In a contentious game, Colorado exploited Nashville’s undisciplined play to prevent back-to-back losses and to notch their seventh victory in their last eight games. Colorado once again had contributions from up and down the roster, with 10 players tallying at least one point.
8 Colorado Avalanche Players Likely to Participate in Olympics
Fans of the Colorado Avalanche will have a lot to watch when the men’s ice hockey tournament in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Bejing open on February 9. While team rosters are not yet set, projections show as many as eight Avalanche players are likely to participate in the games. This is the first time in eight years that NHL players will participate in the Olympics, and while it seems increasingly likely it will happen, it’s still not a done deal.
3 Takeaways From Avalanche's Dominant Win Over the Kraken
The Colorado Avalanche scored seven unanswered goals to beat the Seattle Kraken in the team’s first ever trip to Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. It was the fourth consecutive win for the Avalanche and the sixth consecutive loss for the Kraken. The goal scoring onslaught from the Avalanche chased backup goaltender Chris Driedger from the game in the second period, giving former Avalanche netminder Philipp Grubauer a chance to face his old team.
Bednar Poised to Become Winningest Coach in Colorado Avalanche History
It’s a long forgotten fact that the first coach of the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise was NHL legend, Maurice “Rocket” Richard. Richard agreed to take the head coaching job for the inaugural season of the Nordiques, who were joining the newly created World Hockey Association (WHA) in 1972. But Richard quickly found he had no stomach for coaching and tendered his resignation after just one game.
3 Takeaways From the Colorado Avalanche's Win Over the Sharks
Prior to the start of the regular season, most pundits had picked the San Jose Sharks to finish near the bottom of the league, projecting the team to finish behind even the expansion Seattle Kraken. It was surprising then that the Sharks entered Ball Arena Saturday night with a 7-5-1 record in what has turned out to be a hotly contested Pacific Division. But that early season success wasn’t enough to handle a Colorado Avalanche team that is finally finding its rhythm.
Nathan MacKinnon's Slow Start Is Cause for Concern
Any regular viewer of Colorado Avalanche games will agree there’s something special about watching Nathan MacKinnon skate. His cheetah-like bursts of speed, the almost incomprehensible quick release of his shot, and the deadly one-timer from the left face-off circle create electricity on the ice that stokes the best hopes of fans and strikes fear in the hearts of opponents.
3 Takeaways from Colorado Avalanche's Overtime Loss to Blue Jackets
The Colorado Avalanche surrendered a two-goal lead to the Columbus Blue Jackets in Denver Wednesday night before coming back to tie the game at 4-4 with 52 seconds left in the third period. But the late-game heroics weren’t enough, as Columbus defenseman Jake Bean scored his second goal of the night at 1:12 in overtime to give the Blue Jackets the 5-4 win. The overtime loss snapped a two-game winning streak and dropped Colorado to 4-4-1 on the season.
Many Colorado Avalanche Fans Still Shut Out of Watching Games
If you live in Metro Denver and want to watch the Colorado Avalanche play hockey or the Denver Nuggets play basketball, your options are limited. Contracts between Altitude Sports, the regional sports network (RSN) that broadcasts Avalanche and Nuggets games, and the three major pay television providers — Comcast/Xfinity, DirectTV, and DISH Network — expired in September of 2019.
3 Takeaways From the Colorado Avalanche Shootout Win Over Lightning
The Colorado Avalanche ended a very difficult three-game road trip with a visit to the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning. Having lost three straight, something the team did only once in the regular season last year, the Avalanche were desperate to come away with two points. The game went all the way to the sixth man in a shootout, with the Avalanche prevailing when Cale Makar pushed a quick, sneaky shot through Andrei Vasilevskiy’s five hole.
Ken Dryden's "The Game," Still a Classic
If you look at a list of all-time great books about hockey, invariably, Ken Dryden’s The Game will be in the top 10. The book is actually number nine on Sports Illustrated’s list of the 100 best sports books of all time. The only other hockey book to crack that list—which, complied in 2002, is admittedly old—is Game Misconduct by Russ Conway, which comes in at number 92. One list calledThe Game “the best sports book ever written by a participant.” The accolades are well deserved.
3 Takeaways from the Colorado Avalanche loss to the St. Louis Blues
On a night when the Colorado Avalanche honored their former president and general manager, the late Pierre Lacroix, hoisting his banner to join the Avalanche elite in the rafters of Ball Arena, little went right for the home team. The Avalanche lost to the St. Louis Blues 5-3. MacKinnon, Landeskog, Other Key Players Out The problems for Colorado started before the game began. Four Avalanche regulars, including three of their most important players, did not dress for the game.
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