By Jordan Long
The 2000-2001 Colorado Avalanche were on a mission. Their goal was to win the Cup with future Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Bourque. Bourque entered his 22nd year in the NHL. He had yet to hoist the Stanley Cup. Colorado was making sure that was going to happen. On this date in 2001, the Avalanche were looking to knock off the St. Louis Blues in game 5 of the Western Conference Finals to reach the Stanley Cup Final.
The Avalanche were up in the series 3-1. Colorado beat St. Louis in games 1 and 2 by a combined score of 8-3. Colorado looked for a commanding 3-0 lead in the series, but St. Louis stole game 3 in double overtime 4-3. In game 4, Stephane Yelle was the hero for Colorado scoring the game winner 4 minutes and 23 seconds into overtime which gave the Avalanche a 4-3 win. Colorado was 1 game away from their 2nd Stanley Cup appearance in franchise history.
Game 5 was in Colorado. The Avalanche started their Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy. At the other end was a surprise starter, Brent Johnson. Johnson was not their #1 goaltender. Roman Turek started all the games up to this point. The Blues were desperate for a win and felt a change in the net was needed to extend the series.
Both goaltenders played well. They didn’t allow a goal in the 1st period. In the second period Colorado broke the tie. With 11 minutes and 20 seconds gone in the 2nd, Milan Hejduk found the back of the net. However, the lead didn’t last long. 2 minutes and 11 seconds later, Bryce Salvador tied the game up.
The goaltenders wouldn’t allow another goal in regulation. For the third consecutive game it went into overtime. Colorado began overtime on the man advantage. St. Louis was called for a double minor for high sticking with 2:16 left in regulation. Colorado had 1 minute and 43 seconds in overtime to do something on the power play.
In overtime Colorado won the opening face-off. They skated into the St. Louis Blues’ end. Colorado Avalanche defenseman Rob Blake fired the puck on net that was saved by Johnson but he left a rebound. The rebound came right to Colorado Avalanche captain Joe Sakic who tipped it past Johnson 24 seconds into overtime to send the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup Final.
Roy faced 29 shots and made 28 saves to earn the win. On the other end, Johnson saw 36 shots but let 2 get past him.
Colorado ended up winning the Stanley Cup that year. They defeated the New Jersey Devils in 7 games. Today we remember the Colorado Avalanche knocking off St. Louis to earn the right to play for the Stanley Cup.
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