Avalanche showed why “field day” should come after the season

Jared Bednar’s voice was cracking. Perhaps it was emotion. Maybe it was two months of yelling from the bench during the NHL playoffs. Or it could’ve been the result of the victory cigar he was smoking during the Avalanche’s victory parade.

Whatever the reason, Colorado’s head coach had a hard time getting words out during his speech from the steps of the City and County Building on Thursday afternoon. But his heartfelt message still rang true.

At one point, he joked about the fact that many of his players had clearly been celebrating. He hinted that their tolerance for partying had decreased during the season.

Why? Because they put their priorities in order.

As Bednar suggested, something that has been reiterated by Avalanche players since the team won the Stanley Cup, Colorado was a focused bunch this season.

They didn’t party. They ate right. They got plenty of rest. They studied and practiced to the nth degree.

And it paid off. They won the franchise’s first championship in 21 years, an achievement that culminated with a parade through the streets of Denver.

The Avs were a determined team. They were intent on avenging past failures.

After getting bounced in the second round last season by the Golden Knights, the third-straight season in which Colorado failed to reach the Western Conference Final, they became a team on a mission. From Bednar to Gabriel Landeskog to Nathan MacKinnon, they were focused on finally getting over the hump.

Last Sunday, all of their efforts paid off. A 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final unleashed a party that hasn’t stopped since.

And it shows no signs of letting up any time soon. If Thursday was any indication, the festivities are just getting started.

Rightfully so. After all, the Avalanche earned it. They reached the mountaintop. That’s the proper time to relax and take in the view.

Contrast that to the Broncos. A few weeks ago, they bailed on the third day of mandatory minicamp. They chose not to practice, deciding instead to have a “field day” filled with fun and games.

It was universally praised as good for morale. It was seen as a time to build team chemistry. It was viewed as a positive.

But not everyone agreed. Some of us saw it as misplaced priorities. Some of us looked at it as putting play before work.

It was hard not to think about that when Bednar was talking from the podium during the championship celebration. It was difficult not to compare the approach of a team desperate to avoid postseason disappointment to one that seems like they’d simply be happy to make the playoffs.

That’s the difference between winners and wannabes. Typically, it’s a lesson that is only learned the hard way.

The Avs made a commitment this season because they were tired of coming up short. They had a sense of urgency. And it paid off.

The Broncos appear to be a team that wants to win, but isn’t ready to make the sacrifices needed to get there. They aren’t ready to prioritize things in the correct order.

“Work hard. Play hard.”

It’s a corny cliche. But it still rings true.

For one thing, it’s a good motto. It’s about going all out, all of the time.

But it’s also about doing things in the proper sequence. Work comes before play.

The Avalanche have weeks of partying and celebrating in front of them. The Stanley Cup is going to serve more drinks than a bartender on a cruise ship.

Why? Because they put in the work. They accomplished a goal. And they earned the right to play hard.

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