Pre/Post Game Minnesota Wild Banter

[OnAFly]

Yeah, it looked like the Canucks were worrying more about that Havlat/Brodziak/Latendresse line last night than the Koivu line, which opened up some nice chances for Koivu and Miettinnen. Onto St. Louis tonight!!!!

[JimBuck]

I caught the first two periods but had to miss the 3rd due to Broomball. Sounds like that 3rd period the Wild really gave Van. the business.

Scott absolutely pounded Bolduc. Even having time to fix the hair before laying the smack down. Boogard jersey'd Hordichuck, probably one of the more humiliating moves in Hockey fisticuffs.

No shortage of scoring and I agree with walleyes12, it's nice to see two full lines capable of doing some serious damage. Here we come St. Louis.

[SkunkedAgain]

You've got to appreciate the effort of Miettinnen in the 3rd. He had two goals in that period and also flat-out hussled down the ice after a puck, drawing a crucial tripping penalty that ultimately led to one of his goals.

When I heard the announcer say that Boogaard and Scott were out at the same time, I knew what was going on. It's a divisional game and Todd Richards was saying "Don't start nothing. We're protecting this lead with fists if need be." Apparently it needed to be and Vancouver paid for it.

It's a great game and a great season of hockey lately. There aren't many people looking over their shoulders, wishing that we had Lemaire and Riseborough back.

[walleyes12]

I agree, I never thought I would be this excited about the Wild this year. I thought it would more or less a rebuilding year. If they team continues to gel, and backstrom keeps them in games, this team can be good. I love hockey!!!

[OnAFly]

Who was Riseborough? What did he do?

[mr_jman]

If it wasn't for 2003, I'd say not much!

[Bassinbob84]

I think Scott hurt his hand pretty bad on bolduc's face. He was shaking his hand and wincing pretty bad in the box. I font remember if I saw him again after that. Does anyone know?

[solbes]

Better to have it be your hand and not your face. I haven't watched the last few nights. Sounds like I've missed out on a lot.

[walleyes12]

I think Scott hurt his hand pretty bad on bolduc's face. He was shaking his hand and wincing pretty bad in the box. I font remember if I saw him again after that. Does anyone know?

Big John Scott and Boogyman were on the ice together alot at the end of the game!

[pinkfloyd4ever]

i bet Scott's hand didn't hurt as bad as the other dudes face! LOL

Carry on that momentum to tonight!

[walleyes12]

ugly lastnight! Looked like they were drained both physically and mentally. I was hoping for atleast 1 point lastnight.

[OnAFly]

I only got to listen to a small portion of the game, but it sounded like the 3 games in 4 night got the better of us last night.

I saw a replay of the slew-foot Oshie gave to Ebbett. That should be a 2-5 game suspension...but knowing the NHL, it won't be. If anything, they'll reward Oshie for being another dirty "star" player and Ebbett will end up on IR.

I would rather have the NHL be too liberal with suspensions, than have no control of what goes-on on the ice...which is what we have now.

[SkunkedAgain]

The players seemed to have their legs last night, but the passing and coordination was very lackluster. We rarely moved the puck into their zone and they quickly turned us away. The shots on goal were very lopsided towards the Blues, 17-4 I think at the end of the first period!

The reality was that both offenses failed in the other's offensive zones. They shot it more often before the defense gained control, but neither team looked spectacular. Hopefully a night off and a good tongue lashing from Richards will get them into shape for tomorrow night's game.

[JimBuck]

After the amount of action in the last few games this one was a sleeper. Both teams were very half-arsed out there. Harding played very well considering he was absolutely peppered with shots. Latendresse had another great game. The boys need a rest to come back and play hard on Sat.

[OnAFly]

It's been an ugly couple of games.

Here's something I thought was pretty funny. It explains the lack of suspensions from the concussions of some of our guys!

It's kind of tough to see, I'll try to blow it up and post it again

[solbes]

OnaFly, HILARIOUS!! I can read it fine.

[SkunkedAgain]

I had to fly out to New York and sit in a hotel room to watch the Wild game tonight (since DirecTV is withholding Versus). Another disappointing start, going down 0-4 midway through the second period. Once Harding went in, Miettinnen scored his first goal and then added another off a power play in the 3rd.

Also awesome was Harding getting the first roughing penalty on a Minnesota goalie since Manny Fernandez. It was a good job for the Wild to battle back to 4-3 but we're still not pulling out the victories. We need a little more attention to defense and some more inspired play, forchecking, ...

[walleyes12]

Ah the road sucks!!! We play so good at home, and yet so terrible on the road, what gives????

[jwhjr]

They're making it interesting tonight against Detroit, 2 quick goals to tie it up.

[walleyes12]

Why arent we shooting the puck more over the past 4 game loosing streak? Why is Sheppard still on the ice???

[JimBuck]

Last night was an enjoyable game to watch. Nothing better than kicking the snot out of Detroit. Harding played great and it was good to see that Richards trusts him between the pipes against Detroit (even though they have quite a few injured). Miettenen had a heck of a game. I love watching that line play. Anyways, hopefully Backstrom is ready to rock against the Av's tonight and the boys can build on that momentum from last night.

[walleyes12]

This stretch of games are very important, I think it will determine if we are buyers and sellers and the trade deadline. I hope we can move harding, and Please some take Sheparrd from us. 41 games 5 points is terrible for a former 1st round draft pick! waste of space!

[Bear55]

I have to agree about Sheppard, I use to defend him but I just can't see what I was thinking now. I think he was given and NHL job when he should have been earning his way in the AHL. As usual hindsight is 20/20.

[jwhjr]

Nice to see them pick up the win against Detroit, and in convincing fashion. It sounds like Harding is starting again tonight because Backstrom's back is still bad. Sheppard definitely needs to go, there has to be someone else to put in there.

[OnAFly]

I really think that Shep has the Pouliot/Latendress syndrome. He came up in our club too fast with too much pressure on him to perform after a good rookie season. Now it seems like he has no confidence on the ice and is constantly thinking of what he is supposed to be doing instead of just reacting and doing it.

I would hope that if we trade him, we can get something in return. He's got the ability to be a solid player in the NHL, just not with the Wild.

Hopefully Backstroms back issues are a minor thing if we plan on moving Harding. I couldn't catch the game the other night (I'm traveling and apparently they don't broadcast Wild games in Singapore...who knew), but it sounded like he played pretty solid and he's looked very solid in his back ups for Backs. Maybe his trade value is rising.