Scott Wedgewood’s injury and resulting anger could spark the Avalanche

Watching a player writhe in pain might have been the best thing for the Avs’ mental health.

On Thursday night, goaltender Scott Wedgewood fell awkwardly on Sabers forward Zach Benson, who was pushed into the net. With Wedgewood in agony, the officials refused to stop play as the puck raced toward the corner.

Coach Jared Bednar blew a gasket. This moment, as unfortunate as it is, could serve as a wake-up call for the Avs. They finished the game angry, rallying from a two-goal deficit with 3:51 left.

Talk to the people in the building, and it sounded like a playoff game. The crowd was full. The tension was real, amplified by Wedgewood’s injury and the wraparound goal allowed while he lay on the ice.

We all know the Avs are talented and are in a better position with two new goalies (fingers crossed Wedgewood won’t miss much time as Mackenzie Blackwood’s backup).

But can it become a catalyst, a moment we will look back on like the night the scenario changed? The Avs own a six-game winning streak and are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, leaving them in a wild card spot. They’re better than that. This game can serve as a reminder, allowing them to remember who they were and can still be.

With the Avs trailing by two goals, Nathan MacKinnon was coaching during timeouts with blood dripping from the top of his nose. He had the smile of a Cheshire cat. We had a feeling he wasn’t going to let the Avs lose. Two wrist shots and a breakaway later, the Avs earned their most improbable victory of the season. But I think it was more than that. It felt like the start of something we’re going to talk about in June.

The joke is on NBA: Nikola Jokic became the 33rd NBA player to reach 15,000 points before turning 30. There’s reason to believe he’ll win at least one more MVP, meaning he should be among the top five players of all time. For those who followed the days of Orlando Woolridge and Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Jokic will never be taken for granted.

Cam the Aries: Many Broncos fans want Denver to select Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo after his eye-opening performance in the Sun Devils’ Peach Bowl loss to Texas. He played his guts out, vomiting to the side. He’s not the first student to vomit and rally. As for the draft, I like Skattebo, but not until the third round.

SEC Fine Whine: The SEC can be insufferable with its arrogance and “It Just Means More” slogan. This makes their whining after bowl season and the early rounds of the playoffs more palatable. There’s only one SEC team left — and it’s freshman member Texas. Michigan mauled Alabama — if an NFL general manager picks Jalen Milroe as his future quarterback, he should be fired — and Notre Dame smothered Georgia. With zero money available across the country, it is clear that the SEC has lost its grip on college football.

Mail time

Not to beat a dead horse, but the running backs should have been fresh (in overtime against the Bengals) since again it was a committee. …And I would have liked you to give a paragraph in your column to this last Broncos hat-trick. I’m still scratching my head over these calls. To quote Kenny Chesney: “It’s always your favorite sin that will get you killed.” »He’s a coach who almost can’t help himself.

TK, Denver, by email

The Broncos haven’t had a 100-yard rusher since Sean Payton took over. He’s used to trusting running backs, but not these backs. And he can’t decide which one he prefers. What the lack of balance and the final possession show is how desperately the Broncos need more playmakers. There’s no way they’re leaving free agency and the draft without a pass-catching tight end and a No. 1 receiver. If Payton wants to stay happy, he needs to create a roster that fits his vision and whims.

Want more Avalanche news? Sign up for Avalanche Insider to get all our NHL analysis.