Fans arrived early at South Suburban Family Sports Center on Saturday morning to watch the first day of training camp for the Colorado Avalanche.  The day featured three intra-squad scrimmages that were high in intensity and physicality, much to the delight of the capacity crowd on hand. 

“It was a lot of fun.  There was a lot of physical play but that’s a part of the game,” said 2011 first-round draft pick Gabriel Landeskog.  “I didn’t really know what to expect.  But it’s a fast-paced type of game and everyone is so much stronger and quicker.  That’s something I need to work on but I loved it.”

Avalanche forward Ryan O’Reilly, who flanked Landeskog at times during the team’s two scrimmages, felt good to be back on the ice.  “It was definitely tough.  A lot of skating but it felt good.  All three teams look good and the pace was fast.  To get that competitive drive back feels good.” 

Peter Mueller, who missed all of last season with a concussion, played in both of Team Gray’s games and admitted that he was nervous in the initial stages.  “It was a little nerve wracking at first.  It’s always in the back of your mind when you get that first hit, but it happened.  I was able to throw a couple of [body checks] out there and things went well.” 

Mueller, who played on a line with Matt Duchene and Milan Hejduk liked what he saw on the ice and was pleased with his results.  “I’m just excited everybody is out there and having fun.  It took a while to get going, but the more you start skating, the more it started coming back.  It was just a good day.”


TEAM BLACK VS. TEAM GRAY

In a spirited contest in front of a capacity crowd at Family Sports Center, Team Black defeated Team Gray by a score of 2-0 on Saturday morning. 

Team Black’s two goals were courtesy of Cody McLeod and David Jones, while offseason acquisition Semyon Varlamov stopped all shots. 

Both teams didn’t shy away from the physical play, as hits were dolled out with regularity.  2011 first-round draft pick Duncan Siemens was the recipient of a couple of big hits along the boards, but wasn’t afraid to dish them out either. 

NOTES:
Defenseman Ryan Wilson (Team Gray) left the ice momentarily after getting hit up high, but returned to finish the game. 


TEAM BLACK VS. TEAM BLUE

There was little time for rest for the boys in black, as they faced Team Blue just 15 minutes after defeating Team Gray, 2-0.

Paul Stastny got Team Black on the board first, burying a shot from the high slot.  But defenseman Ryan O’Byrne tied the game at one apiece with a blast from the point.  Team Black’s Daniel Winnik tallied two goals less than a minute apart, the latter an absolute snipe on goaltender Calvin Pickard.  Despite Team Blue cutting the deficit to within one, Team Black’s defenseman Stefan Elliott netted an insurance marker making it 5-3.

NOTES:
Forward Daniel Winnik (Team Black) finished the game with two goals (2g/0a)


TEAM GRAY VS. BLUE

In the final game of the day, Team Blue edged out a 4-3 victory over Team Gray.  Garrett Meurs, a 2011 draft pick, got the scoring started, putting Team Blue up 1-0.  Team Blue quickly went up 3-0 on goals by Ryan O’Reilly and Gabriel Landeskog.  The shutout didn’t last long, however, as Gray defenseman Ryan Wilson took care of business in the high slot making it 3-1.  Landeskog built the lead back up to three with a hard-working goal in a crowded crease.  Gray forward T.J. Galiardi took full advantage of a “penalty” shot, narrowing the deficit to two goals.  Gray, with all the momentum, eventually made it 4-3 on a goal by Patrick Bordeleau, but it was Team Blue who edged out the narrow victory.

NOTES:
Gabriel Landeskog led all Blue forwards with two goals…Ryan O’Reilly finished with two points (1g/1a)…Game featured 2011 draft picks Gabriel Landeskog (Blue), Garrett Meurs (Blue), Dillon Donnelly (Blue) and Duncan Siemens (Gray).