DENVER — Like careful alpinists everywhere, the Vancouver Canucks had a plan to survive the avalanche. But there is only so much you can against a force of nature.

The Canucks played the mighty Colorado Avalanche even Tuesday until a couple of mistakes cost them late in the second period as the Stanley Cup favourites beat Vancouver 3-1.

Of course, the smartest way to avoid avalanches is to stay out of the mountains when they are likely, but there is no safe way around Denver for National Hockey League teams as the Avalanche extended their points streak to 14-0-3. Colorado’s only regulation loss in 26 games this season came on Oct. 25.

The Canucks have only three regulation wins since then, and they finished their difficult road trip at 1-2-1 — and with three straight losses.

It was the

See Full Page