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Colorado Avalanche beginnings
Denver-based COMSAT Entertainment Group purchased the Quebec Nordiques. -
We are official
The team officially announces that it will play under the name "Colorado Avalanche." -
The first game
The Colorado Avalanche play their first game, which was a 3-2 win against the visiting Detroit Red Wings. The game was played at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver. -
Roy comes to the Avs
Patrick Roy allows nine goals before being pulled as the Montreal goalie in an 11-1 loss to the Red Wings. When he is finally taken out of the game in the second period, Roy went past Canadiens coach Mario Tremblay on the bench and told team president Ronald Corey "It's my last game in Montreal." Four days later, he was traded to the Avalanche, along with Montreal captain Mike Keane. -
Beginning of the rivalry
In Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, Avalanche player Claude Lemieux checked Red Wing Kris Draper into the boards, severely injuring Draper. This hit became a focal point for the rivalry, eventually leading to the now-famous brawl the next season. The Avalanche won the game 4-1 and the series 4-2. The series was a significant upset, as Detroit had won the President’s Trophy as the top team in the league in the regular season. This was the first of many playoff matchups between the teams. -
The Avs win the Stanley Cup
Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup, defeating the Florida Panthers 1-0 in the third overtime period, sweeping the series 4-0. It is the first Cup in the Avs/Nordiques franchise history and the first major professional championship for Denver. -
Fight Night at the Joe
In a game dubbed "Fight Night at the Joe," the Avs and Red Wings combined for 18 fighting penalties and 148 overall penalty minutes. After several one-on-one fights early on, the full brawl broke out with 1:38 left in the 1st period. Avs' Peter Forsberg engaged in a shoving match with Red Wing Igor Larionov. Red Wing Darren McCarty then attacked Claude Lemieux. Avs' Patrick Roy went to confront McCarty, but was tackled by Red Wing Brendan Shanahan. The most notable brawl was between goalies. -
Red Wings defeat Avs
Detroit defeats Colorado in the two teams' second straight Western Conference Finals meeting. The Red Wings win the series in six games and go on to win the Stanley Cup. -
Avs and Red Wings meet again
In six games, the Avs defeat the Red Wings in their third playoff meeting in four years. Colorado would go on to lose in the Conference Finals to the Dallas Stars. -
The Avs play the Pepsi Center for the 1st time
The Avs open the Pepsi Center with a 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins. Since then, the Pepsi Center has served as the home of the Avalanche, as well as Denver Nuggets basketball and Colorado Mammoth lacrosse, in addition to concerts and other events. -
Bourque moves to the Avs
The Avalanche trade for Boston Bruins defenseman Ray Bourque. He requested a move to have a chance to win the Stanley Cup after playing in Boston for 21 years. -
The Avs win Conference Semi-Finals
Colorado defeats Detroit in the Western Conference Semi-Finals in five games. The Avalanche would go on to lose to the Dallas Stars in the Conference Finals for the second straight year. -
Forsberg leads in scoring
Detroit defeats Colorado in the Western Conference Final, 4 games to 3. This was the fifth playoff meeting in the last 7 years between the teams and would be the last until 2008. The Red Wings would go on to win the Stanley Cup over the Carolina Hurricanes. Despite being eliminated by Detroit, and not playing the entire regular season recovering from injuries, Avalanche forward Peter Forsberg led the NHL in playoff scoring, putting up 27 points (9 goals and 18 assists) in just 20 games. -
The Avs win a 2nd Stanley Cup
The Avalanche win their second Stanley Cup title, defeating the New Jersey Devils 3-1 and winning the series 4-3. Goalie Patrick Roy receives the Conn Smythe trophy as Playoffs MVP for a record third time. The cup is the first in the career of Bourque, who would retire that summer. -
Patrick Roy plays final game
Patrick Roy plays his final NHL game, losing to the Minnesota Wild in Game 7 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Roy would retire as the league’s all-time leader in wins, games played, playoff wins and playoff shutouts. -
Red Wings sweep Avs in semi-finals
Detroit sweeps Colorado in the Western Conference Semi-Finals. This is the only sweep in playoff history between the two teams. Detroit forward Johan Franzen scored 9 goals in the 4-game series, matching the offensive output of the entire Colorado team. Detroit would go on to defeat the Dallas Stars and the Pittsburgh Penguins to win the Stanley Cup. This is, to date, the last time the teams would meet in the playoffs. -
Joe Sakic retires
Joe Sakic announces his retirement. Sakic in the longest-serving captain in team history (17 years), and the franchise’s all-time leader in goals (625), assists (1,016) and points (1,641).
