ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – The fans crammed into the bleachers and lined one side of the ice rink, waiting for the Colorado Avalanche to take the ice.
Maybe they were there to simply catch a glimpse of the Avalanche during their first official practice since the lockout was lifted.
Or maybe they filled the tiny arena on Sunday because it was a way to forget — at least for a moment — the Denver Broncos' stinging loss the day before to Baltimore that sent the city into a somber mood.
Either way, the players were sure appreciative. A little shocked even, when they were greeted to cheers as they stepped out of the locker room and onto the ice.
They expected maybe a handful of fans to show up. Just nothing like this.
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