Stanley Cup Final blog: Alex Newhook

Colorado Avalanche forward Alex Newhook will be keeping his own blog throughout the 2022 Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He will check in regularly with behind-the-scenes access.
In his fourth entry, Newhook talks Game 3, which the Lightning won 6-2 to make the best-of-7 series 2-1 in favor of the Avalanche. It was Colorado's first road loss and third loss of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

I don't think we were coming into this series expecting to sweep the defending champions. We have the same mentality every game, we want to win every game. We have a lot of things to learn from Game 3. I thought we didn't have a bad showing. We outshot them, had some quality chances. If we score a couple there, if that goal doesn't get called back on the review in first period, it's a different game. We came in here knowing we have to get one and that is the mindset moving forward.
We're very confident. We knew where we were coming into their rink and we still have the opportunity get a win here in Game 4 and go home for Game 5 with an opportunity to win the Cup. We're still confident, we know what we can do and were excited.
Last night was something else. It wasn't the same as other road games in the playoffs. It was loud, the energy was right there from the start. Obviously in the playoffs you expect that. It was a fun atmosphere, but we know that it gave them a little bit of life really. Now we know what it is like to play here and it will help us moving forward.
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Our speed on the forecheck, but in other areas too -- the offensive zone, just moving our feet -- it gives them trouble. I think we are the faster team and the few times we have taken over, its due to our speed. If we are able to maintain our speed at that high level all game, it should benefit us, and we should be able to find a win.
This has been a long playoff run. We have been going at it for almost two months now and it's the last run and everybody is giving it all they have. There is no waiting it out, preserving guys. Everyone that can play is going to do what they can to be ready to play. It's all about leaving it out there and we know what it is like. You have to take it game by game now and win the next one.
We had some optional ice today, but I like to get out there whenever we do, just for a little bit. I'm not looking for anything too strenuous, just get the legs moving a little bit, feel the puck a little and stay in the zone. So I got out there a little bit today, a lot of guys did.
Tonight, we'll just hang out and take it easy. We have a team meal at the hotel and just hang out and get ready for Game 4.