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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Avalanche Try To Finish ‘Em Off

Associated Press

Who are the Colorado Avalanche anyway?

They don’t have a great tradition or a marquee scorer. They do have a solid defense and a spectacular goalie. Tonight, they could win a Stanley Cup.

A win would complete a sweep of the Florida Panthers and end a season that began after a franchise move from Quebec with a jubilant skate around the rink with the cup held high.

The Panthers, though, don’t think a victory in Game 4 and a return to Denver for a fifth game Thursday night is that unlikely.

“I don’t think there’s a guy on this squad that’s going to roll over,” Panthers captain Brian Skrudland said. “We’ve come this far. What the heck. A couple of more plane rides is worth it.”

Colorado would like just one - a return home with the cup after 16 years without a title in Quebec. Not long ago, even the Avalanche weren’t overly confident that would happen.

“A lot of players probably questioned how good we are,” Colorado’s Claude Lemieux said. “Then, once we won the first round, everyone thought, ‘hey, we beat a good club.’ “

That six-game series against Vancouver in which the Avalanche won the last two by a goal each boosted their confidence. They followed that with six-game wins over Chicago and Detroit.

After Saturday night’s 3-2 comeback victory in Game 3, they can finish off Florida in four, but they’re not celebrating yet.

“We’re not thinking beyond getting ourselves prepared for the first shift of the game,” Avalanche coach Marc Crawford said.