The regular season is over for two of Ball Arena’s occupants and although neither team ended the regular season with the top seed, both are expected to make it deep into the playoffs.
The Denver Nuggets ended the season 1-1 in their last two games losing to the San Antonio Spurs in a game that would have likely given them the top seed. The Nuggets instead will have the second seed in the Western Conference behind the number one-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Nuggets’ opponent has not yet been announced since the Play-in tournament that will feature the L.A. Lakers vs. the New Orleans Pelicans, the Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings, the Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers, and the Atlanta Hawks vs. the Chicago Bulls. At the moment, Denver will likely see the winner of the Lakers, New Orleans game.
The Colorado Avalanche were 2-6 in their last eight games with losses to the Nashville Predators, the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Edmonton Oilers, the Dallas Stars, the Winnipeg Jets and the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Colorado’s largest loss came at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets who walloped Colorado 7-0 just this past weekend.
The Avs will now have to face the Jets in their first series that kicks off this weekend. Colorado had a chance to solidify the number two spot after their loss to Dallas last week, which all but put the number 1 spot well out of Colorado’s reach, but their recent end-of-regular season losses dropped the Avs down to the number three spot.
In other sports the Denver University Pioneers Hockey team quietly became Colorado’s most decorated championship team over the weekend after winning their 10th Championship in the Frozen Four title over Boston Colleges Eagles.
DU’s championship win could be sign of greater things to come for the Colorado Avalanche, as both teams won championships in 2022.
DU completely dominated the game through three periods and DU’s goalie Matt Davis stood on his head defending some remarkable goals including one that seemed like a sure goal. Throughout the tournament, Davis stopped 139 of 142 shots with a .970 save percentage.
Colorado Rockies fans are scratching their heads about a decision to use one of Colorado’s top pitchers, Kyle Freeland as a pinch runner in Colorado’s loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, which ultimately caused injury to his right shoulder after trying to slide into home plate. Colorado’s manager Bud Black said Freeland is fine, but the team has not released any word on the injury or if Freeland will be missing any time with the team.
Former Denver Broncos defensive end Barney Chavous will be inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame later this week. Chavous was a huge part of Denver’s infamous defense, “The Orange Crush.”
