Avs Reach Pinnacle! 2018 EHE Champions

In dominating fashion the Colorado Avalanche swept the Boston Bruins to claim the 2017/2018 EHE Stanley Cup. It was no small feat. After reaching the cup finals last year only to be on the exact opposite end of the spectrum (being swept by the Ottawa Senators) the Avalanche endured a rigorous campaign and an even more trying playoff run going the distance once again playing well over 100 games. At points in this season it sas rumoured that coach crow (Marc Crawford) and GM Lycar weren't seeing eye to eye. In fact the Denver Post had reported that Crawford had been on the hot seat at points this year.

"We weren't happy with our start, and with how competitive our division was and the amount of impedning UFA's we had, the idea of starting over flashed through our minds a couple times yes" as Lycar spoke to reporters after the Game 4 win. 

"Ultimately however, this group continued to show me that we assmebled the right people to get the job done. We faced a ton of adversity, but we got the job done!" 

The adversity Lycar speaks of comes in the form of losing game 1 in round 1 to Minnesota, losing the first 2 to Dallas in round 2 and of course being down 3 games to 1 in the conference finals to the Vegas Golden Knights.

"We had some long, nerve wracking nights en' route to this thing, but I wouldn't trade it for the world, this feeling is (explicitive) unbelievable" TJ Oshie had to say on ice right after hoisting the cup. 

After going down two nothing to the Stars in round two, GM Lycar challenged the players publically (http://elitehockeysim.com/news.php?article=638) a move that Centreman and Conn Smythe winner Mark Scheifele said "paid off in spades" 

"We know how much Lycs (Gm Lycar) believes in us and we know how much work he has put into this club to get us to this point aquiring guys like patches, (Max Pacioretty) and (Simmer) Wayne Simmonds. We didn't want to let him and crow down." 

A crowd of about 650,000, according to city officials, greeted the Colorado Avalanche during their Stanley Cup championship parade through downtown Denver. 

"It wasn't just the fans that made this spectacular, seeing all the people in our organization celebrating; all the individuals that put in countless hours for us to reach our ultimate goal, this is what makes it special" said GM Kirklan Lycar.

"We have a hell of an organization, and it's because of those great individuals." 

One of those great individuals is Avs Captain Mark Giordano, who has been apart of the Avalanche organization since the beginning of the EHE. "COLORADO... WE (explicitive) DID IT" he shouted to the thousands in the crowd.  

Giordano is of course an UFA this summer and his future with the club looms. The Avs captain is one of many impending unrestriced free agents that GM Lycar must try to re sign, or of course replace. 

"We want Mark back here badly, and I'll do whatever it takes to make that happen, he's the ultimate leader and I wouldn't be standing here talking to you guys about the cup if it weren't for Gio." 

"No matter what happens this summer, Gio is an AV for life." 

For Lycs, Crow, Gio, Scheif, Johhny T and the rest of the Avalanche it's time to celebrate, kick back and enjoy the ride that just took place. Though not for too long as their is work this summer to be done "One feels good, two will feel that much better. I'm going to put the best team I possibly can on the ice year after year. We're the defending champs, the whole league will be gunning for us."

"We will (as always) be very active this summer." Said GM Lycar. However in referance to circling John Tavares rumours, Lycar had this to say "We have a ton of guys to resign, guys that need raises. We can and we will make it work financially. John Tavares is going nowhere." 

"I said two years ago when I took over, prospects are cool. Parades are cooler."