"A Kick In The Ass": How Ross Colton Forced His Way Back In
Benched in the press box to start the postseason, Ross Colton returned with a sharper edge, tighter detail, and a renewed sense of urgency that quietly reshaped his role.
Prior to Game 1 of the Colorado Avalanche’s first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series, one familiar face was noticeably absent from the ice. Instead, Ross Colton sat in the press box — sharply dressed, a Rolex Submariner visible beneath his sleeve — watching from a place no player wants to occupy in late April. There was a temptation to walk over and say hello, if only out of simple human courtesy, but a quick read of Colton’s body language suggested solitude was probably the kinder gesture.
His expression carried the kind of quiet, steely intensity elite athletes often wear before defining moments. Not quite Michael Phelps before an Olympic final, but close enough for the comparison to feel warranted. Bednar speaks on Ross Colton's resolve.
The difference, of course, was that this was not anticipation. It was frustration. Anger.
Embarrassment, perhaps. The emotional weight that comes with being removed from the lineup when the stakes are at their highest and the calendar offers no room for sentiment. Colton remained out for Game 2 as well.
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