Sometimes, the best motivation comes from an unexpected place. For Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton, that wake-up call arrived in the form of a press box seat during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

When Game 1 of the Avalanche's first-round series kicked off, Colton was nowhere near the ice. Instead, he was watching from above—dressed sharp, a Rolex Submariner peeking from under his sleeve—in a spot no player wants to be when the stakes are highest. His body language told the story: quiet, intense, and simmering with frustration. This wasn't the anticipation of a big moment; it was the sting of being left out when it mattered most.

Colton sat out Game 2 as well. But after Colorado grabbed two straight wins at home, the coaching staff made a change when the series moved to the road. Colton was back in the lineup—and he played like a man on a mission.

"I was pissed off," Colton admitted after practice Thursday, reflecting on being benched. But he also saw the silver lining. "Maybe it was good for me. A little kick in the ass. You come back in and play with a little bit of an edge."

That edge was exactly what head coach Jared Bednar was looking for. The decision wasn't about punishment—it was about urgency. Colton responded by sharpening his game, focusing on the details: getting pucks deep, finishing checks, and making an impact every shift.

"I feel like I play physical like that," Colton said. "Every night, just find a way to make an impact. Get pucks behind their D, get bodies on guys."

For a player who helped Tampa Bay win two Stanley Cups, the message was clear. Sometimes, even the best need a reminder to raise their level. And for Colton, that reminder came at just the right time—reshaping his role when the Avalanche needed him most.