Avs star rushes back

FULL CLOSE CUT CLOSECUT - Colorado Avalanche Matt Duchene celebrates his game winning shootout goal against the Vancouver Canucks during NHL hockey action at GM Place in Vancouver, Tuesday, April 6, 2010. Three very different players have been nominated for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year.Colorado Avalanche forward Duchene, Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard and Buffalo Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers were unveiled as the award nominees on Thursday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward (CP)

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After 27 hours of exhausting travel as he made his way from Italy to Denver, Matt Duchene was ready for only one thing -- hockey.

Soon after landing back in town, the Colorado Avalanche forward made his way to the rink.

Expect anything different? Even in his jet-lagged condition, Duchene was on the ice with 16 of his buddies for an up-tempo scrimmage Tuesday.

"Since it's such a short season, it's all about the start," Duchene said. "Most seasons are a marathon, but this one is a sprint. You have to be ready for right out of the gate."

And that's why Duchene hustled home when rumblings of an end to the lockout began to surface.

He was all set to play back-to-back games with his Swiss team near the Italian border when his agent told him to pack up his bags and return to the Mile High City.

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