Last Time in Tampa…

Last time in Tampa…
Ahead of the first meeting of the 2022-23 regular season between the Colorado Avalanche and the Tampa Bay Lightning - in what was the 2022 Stanley Cup Final matchup - the Avalanche reflected on their memories from their last trip to Amalie Arena where they were crowned Stanley Cup champions after defeating the Lightning in Game 6 with a 2-1 final score on June 26, 2022 as they look to pick up a big road win over the Bolts tonight.

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AVALANCHE HEAD COACH JARED BEDNAR

"When you come back here, you have good and bad memories. It's more the short term of every building you play in what happened there last time against them, the success you had regardless. It's fun to be back in Tampa, but we've turned the page too. There's no motivation for us in what we did last year. It's a straight big game. They're coming off a couple of losses, we're coming off a loss. Everyone is trying to jump-run their game through this last stretch of the season and put themselves into playoff positon and get your team playing with the right habits that you need to have success on a nightly basis. That's what we focus on."

BOWEN BYRAM

"It was pretty cool being back where you won it. I feel like we've all turned the page and are focused on this year, but it is cool just to take that moment to reflect on what happened last time we were in this building."

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ANDREW COGLIANO

"It's a little surreal being back. There's obviously so many great memories we have now from this building, but I think just being back in this room in particular brings it all back. We were obviously partying last time we were in this room and celebrating what we just accomplished so it's a little different now, but it just takes you back to that night."
"It was such a special time for all of us. It was cool just walking in the arena and going on the ice to just relive it for a bit. We'll have those memories together forever."

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JT COMPHER

"Being in the room after and just being with all the guys after that game sticks out. Just celebrating what we accomplished so [now] coming into the locker room brought back some good memories. Even being back at the hotel this morning took you back to that whole day before the game and then obviously after. Being at the rink takes you back to that game, that series, all those moments. It definitely felt a little different than a normal away game."

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ERIK JOHNSON

"There's good memories of course. It doesn't feel like it was that long ago. Everything is a lot different now right? That was such a big celebration and special time and [now], everything is back to business, back to how it usually is. But no question, this was where some of the best memories of our lives were. It's weird to be back, but will always be special here."

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KURTIS MACDERMID

"It's just emotions of such an amazing accomplishment of the team. It brings back a lot of happiness and good memories."
"It's very nostalgic. Those times, you remember them so much and so clearly. After everything that went on, it's good to reflect back on. It's also good to move forward and just be focused on the game, but nice to have these memories here also."

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ALEX NEWHOOK

"It was weird walking in the building, even getting back into the hotel felt weird. It was just a rush of emotions and feelings. It'll be fun to play here again."

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VALERI NICHUSHKIN

"When we landed yesterday, it was a good memory of Tampa. It feels good here too. It feels a little different for sure."
"[We're] excited to play again tomorrow. They have a good crowd. I think it's going to be a good matchup because they're probably mad on us for last year. It's good weather here too which is nice."
"The room after [winning the Cup], that was fun. When I raised the Cup, I'll never forget that feeling."

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LOGAN O'CONNOR

"There's obviously a lot of emotions and reminiscing. Especially just staying at the same hotel, walking over to the rink it all brings back a ton of memories. It was good to get them all out of the way yesterday so we can just focus on the game, but it's definitely a different feeling than normal."
"All of us just waiting on the blueline for [Gabriel Landeskog] to get the Cup, then everyone just getting their own moment with it and hoisting it for that first time. The team photo was special. Just in the locker room - after we had that moment collectively on the ice - just being back together in here celebrating once we were in here, no cameras, just guys hanging out and soaking it all up. Those are memories we'll have for the rest of our lives."

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MIKKO RANTANEN

"You remember it for sure. Guys that were here, we talked about it a bit and went through the memories. You never forget it, you know? What happened here seven months ago or however long it's been is special. Those memories will be with us for a long time."
"We're excited [to face them]. We're excited to be back in this building for sure. At the end of the day, it's just another game and we won't think about it tomorrow when we're playing, but just walking in today brought back a lot of memories right away."