The Colorado Avalanche rode a furious 48-save goaltending performance from Craig Anderson and a third-period game winner from Chris Stewart to a 3-1 victory over the hated Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night at Pepsi Center.

Despite a couple of late power plays for Detroit and a total of 21 shots in the third period, they were just unable to find any twine behind Anderson. And despite being out-shot by more than a 2-to-1 margin (49-23), the Avalanche were able to find a way to collect two crucial points and stay perfect at home (4-0). 

And once again, in timely fashion, the Avs had goals and strong efforts from the younger players on the team to go along with a great motivational lift from the near (very, very near) sellout crowd. Not even the usual amount of slovenly and over-dramatic Wings fans could hex Anderson’s heroic goaltending. In fact, they failed…miserably.

Photo by The Hockey Guild 

Case in point – another legendary octopus that was thrown by a sheer genius of a Red Wings fan from the worst spot possible for sticking a successful landing - behind the net. Although we can’t say for sure if the person tossing the horrendous creature intended to have it stick high above Anderson’s net during the third period, that’s where it would stay until the game ended.

After the game, members of the The Avalanche Guild’s event staff were getting players on the ice for the first-ever RMHL After-Hours game (4-3, Earls over Ice ranch in a shootout, btw) when we walked right past the vile octopus. How did this one in particular meet his maker? He was simply jiggled loose from the netting and into the hands of the brave Pepsi Center ice staff warrior.

The octopus was laid to rest in a heavy white plastic bag, an appropriate “white-out” ending to mark the Avalanche’s 3-1 victory over Detroit. To be honest, that’s what the Red Wings get for starting backup rookie goalie Jimmy Howard against the best team in the Western Conference.

Wow, that sure sounds nice…as does a 4-1 record against Detroit in the last five regular season games.

To see another Guild photo of the octopus, check out our social media guru Grant Beery’s Red Wings recap on his website, Hockeyism!