2008 Woodie Awards
FACE OFF
Jake Ahrens vs. Lance Miller
Judging by Jason Bushey
Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: Sports
Peter Forsberg returned to his old stomping ground last week by signing with the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs are two points out of a playoff spot - does this deal improve their chances of getting in or is it simply an attendancebooster?
JA: The recent move by the Colorado Avalanche to bring in former MVP Peter Forsberg has given them a strong foundation for a playoff run.
Regardless of age and injury concerns, Forsberg was able to be productive in the last couple of years, averaging over one point per game.
Forsberg also looked pretty good in last year's playoffs with the Predators, and that's what the Avalanche are hoping for.
They brought in Forsberg to play in the last month of the season, and with the time off rehabilitating, Forsberg is fresh to make perhaps one last run.
LM: This deal does improve their chances of getting a playoff spot for multiple reasons.
First, the Avs are only two points out of the last playoff spot in the West with plenty of season left.
Secondly, even though Forsberg is 34 and has been relaxing in Sweden for the entire season, he is a respected player.
Even if he doesn't have the skill that the Avs need from him on the ice, he is still a valuable leader and motivator to have in the clubhouse.
I'm sure if he didn't think he was conditioned enough to play, he wouldn't.
So, skills + leadership=playoff berth.
T H E S C O R E
Forsberg and the Avs are ready to roll.
Jake 1
Lance 0
The Tennessee Volunteers stunned the Memphis Tigers last weekend in an epic battle of #1 vs. #2. Despite their loss to Vandy on Feb. 26, are the undersized Vols - dare I say it - national title favorites?
JA: After losing in embarrassing fashion to Vanderbilt only a day after upsetting Memphis, the Volunteers faltered at the chance to be number one in the nation, and are no longer the favorites to win it all.
Unfortunately, they live and die by the three.
When picking a favorite to win it all, you have to go with experience, and that lies with the UCLA Bruins. They have reached the final four in the past two years, and finally have that big post player in Kevin Love to battle down low and get the Bruins extra shots off offensive rebounds.
JA: The recent move by the Colorado Avalanche to bring in former MVP Peter Forsberg has given them a strong foundation for a playoff run.
Regardless of age and injury concerns, Forsberg was able to be productive in the last couple of years, averaging over one point per game.
Forsberg also looked pretty good in last year's playoffs with the Predators, and that's what the Avalanche are hoping for.
They brought in Forsberg to play in the last month of the season, and with the time off rehabilitating, Forsberg is fresh to make perhaps one last run.
LM: This deal does improve their chances of getting a playoff spot for multiple reasons.
First, the Avs are only two points out of the last playoff spot in the West with plenty of season left.
Secondly, even though Forsberg is 34 and has been relaxing in Sweden for the entire season, he is a respected player.
Even if he doesn't have the skill that the Avs need from him on the ice, he is still a valuable leader and motivator to have in the clubhouse.
I'm sure if he didn't think he was conditioned enough to play, he wouldn't.
So, skills + leadership=playoff berth.
T H E S C O R E
Forsberg and the Avs are ready to roll.
Jake 1
Lance 0
The Tennessee Volunteers stunned the Memphis Tigers last weekend in an epic battle of #1 vs. #2. Despite their loss to Vandy on Feb. 26, are the undersized Vols - dare I say it - national title favorites?
JA: After losing in embarrassing fashion to Vanderbilt only a day after upsetting Memphis, the Volunteers faltered at the chance to be number one in the nation, and are no longer the favorites to win it all.
Unfortunately, they live and die by the three.
When picking a favorite to win it all, you have to go with experience, and that lies with the UCLA Bruins. They have reached the final four in the past two years, and finally have that big post player in Kevin Love to battle down low and get the Bruins extra shots off offensive rebounds.
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