At last, the Avs give Mike Haynes something to scream about

Mike Haynes, as seen in a 2004 photo by Brett Amole.

Among the more distressing things about the Colorado Avalanche's mediocre season to date -- the team's currently last in the Northwest Division, a whopping 18 points beyond first-place Calgary -- is the precipitous decline in Altitude TV broadcaster Mike Haynes' chances to celebrate. Haynes, who was profiled in the 2004 Message column "On the Mike" -- is the Avs' secret weapon, especially from an audience standpoint, and while he's an excellent broadcaster no matter the situation, he's at his best when he's bursting with enthusiasm, be it over a Colorado fist in an opponent's face or a game-winning goal.

Opportunities of the latter sort have been rare during the 2008-2009 campaign, which only made last night's 6-5 third-consecutive victory over the dreaded Detroit Red Wings that much sweeter. Sure, watching all those fans in Detroit trudging out of the arena with looks of incredulity on their faces after the Wings fell short in a shootout was enjoyable. But hearing Haynes screaming like a formerly destitute lottery winner was even better.

Keep it up, Avs -- and keep Haynes shouting.