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<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><rss xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:openSearch="http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/" xmlns:blogger="http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008" xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:gd="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005" xmlns:thr="http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0" version="2.0"><channel><atom:id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458</atom:id><lastBuildDate>Mon, 19 Feb 2024 04:29:07 +0000</lastBuildDate><category>Minnesota Wild Blog</category><category>Mikko Koivu</category><category>Chuck Fletcher</category><category>Niklas Backstrom</category><category>Marian Gaborik</category><category>Doug Risebrough</category><category>Jacques Lemaire</category><category>Todd Richards</category><category>Brent Burns</category><category>Cal Clutterbuck</category><category>Michael Russo</category><category>Derek Boogaard</category><category>Martin Havlat</category><category>Guillaume Latendresse</category><category>Owen Nolan</category><category>Xcel Energy Center</category><category>Andrew Ebbett</category><category>Calgary Flames</category><category>Eric Belanger</category><category>Josh Harding</category><category>Mike Greenlay</category><category>Minnesota Wild-Puck</category><category>Chicago Black Hawks</category><category>Chris Simon</category><category>Craig Leipold</category><category>James Sheppard</category><category>Krutis Foster</category><category>NHL</category><category>NHL Fantasy Hockey</category><category>Nicklas Backstrom</category><category>Peirre-Marc Bouchard</category><category>Petr Sykora</category><category>All-Star</category><category>Andrew Brunette</category><category>Brian Rolston</category><category>Calder Memorial Trophy</category><category>Cam Barker</category><category>Colorado Avalanche</category><category>Columbus Blue Jackets</category><category>Darby Hendrickson</category><category>Detroit Red Wings</category><category>Dwayne Roloson</category><category>Edmonton Oilers</category><category>Greg Zanon</category><category>KFAN</category><category>Kim Johnsson</category><category>Kyle Brodziak</category><category>Marco Scandella</category><category>Martin Skoula</category><category>NHL Network</category><category>New Jersey Devils</category><category>Nick Leddy</category><category>Nick Schultz</category><category>Pavol Demitra</category><category>Phoenix Coyotes</category><category>Russo</category><category>Saku Koivu</category><category>Shane Hnidy</category><category>Sid Hartman</category><category>Todd Bertuzzi</category><category>University of Minnesota Golden Gophers</category><category>benoit pouliot</category><category>AHL</category><category>Aaron Voros</category><category>Able To Yzerman</category><category>Alex Henry</category><category>Anaheim Ducks</category><category>Andrew Raycroft</category><category>Antti Miettinen</category><category>Backstom</category><category>Backstrom</category><category>Bettman</category><category>Bill Clement</category><category>Blue Jackets</category><category>Bob Kurtz</category><category>Bouchard</category><category>Brad Bombardir</category><category>Brad Ratgen</category><category>Brandon Mileski</category><category>Branislav Gaborik</category><category>Brian Stensaas</category><category>Bruins</category><category>Charch</category><category>Cliff Fletcher</category><category>Clutterbuck</category><category>Colin Campbell</category><category>Colton Gillies</category><category>Coyotes</category><category>Craig Weller</category><category>Dallas Stars</category><category>Dan Fritsche</category><category>Dan Teerhar</category><category>Danny Heately</category><category>Darcy Tucker</category><category>Denver Pioneers</category><category>Directv</category><category>Dominic Moore</category><category>Don Cherry</category><category>Don LaGreca</category><category>E.J. Hradik</category><category>Eklund</category><category>Erik Reitz</category><category>FSN</category><category>Florida Panthers</category><category>Flyers</category><category>Hockey Wilderness</category><category>HockeyBuzz.com</category><category>HockeyBuzzHogwash.com</category><category>Jamie Langenbrunner</category><category>Jay Bouwmeester</category><category>Jim Dowd</category><category>Jimmy Howard</category><category>Joel Maturi</category><category>John Scott</category><category>John Shipley</category><category>John Ziegler</category><category>Kevin Gorg</category><category>Koivu</category><category>Krys Kolanos</category><category>Lemaire</category><category>Levy Resaurants</category><category>Lou Nanne</category><category>M11</category><category>Manny Fernandez</category><category>Manny Legace</category><category>Marc-Andre Bergeron</category><category>Marek Zidlicky</category><category>Mark Messier</category><category>Martin Brodeur</category><category>Matt Johnson</category><category>Mike Brodeur</category><category>Minnesota Golden Gophers</category><category>Minnesota North Stars</category><category>Minnesota State High School League</category><category>Minnesota Vikings</category><category>Minnesota Wild 2009-2010 NHL Schedule</category><category>NHLPA</category><category>Nashville Predators</category><category>Nate Miller</category><category>Nathan Smith</category><category>New York Islanders</category><category>New York Rangers</category><category>Nick Schutlz</category><category>Nicklas Lidstrom</category><category>Northwest Division</category><category>Olli Jokinen</category><category>Olympic Schedule</category><category>Ottawa Senators</category><category>Pat Micheletti</category><category>Patrick Reusse</category><category>Paul Allen</category><category>Pavel Datsyuk</category><category>Pierre-Marc Bouchard</category><category>Pittsburgh Penguins</category><category>Risebrough</category><category>Robbie Earl</category><category>Ron Duguay</category><category>Ron Salcer</category><category>Scott Pellerin</category><category>Sharks</category><category>Sheldon Souray</category><category>Sidney Crosby</category><category>Souhan</category><category>St. Louis Blues</category><category>St. Paul Civic Center</category><category>StarTribune</category><category>Stephane Veilleux</category><category>TCF Bank Stadium</category><category>Target Center</category><category>Target Field</category><category>The Messier Project</category><category>Tom Lynn</category><category>Tom Reid</category><category>Vancouver Canucks</category><category>Versus</category><category>WCHA</category><category>Wade Dubielewicz</category><category>Wayne Gretzky</category><category>Weller</category><category>Western Conference</category><category>WholeSaleKeyChains.com</category><category>Wild Skills Competition</category><category>Wireless Ronin Tech</category><category>Zack Stortini</category><category>puck daddy</category><category>suspensions</category><title>Wild-Puck [Minnesota Wild Blog]</title><description>Minnesota Wild Blog</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/</link><managingEditor>noreply@blogger.com (ttvext)</managingEditor><generator>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>145</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-3208938676895526764</guid><pubDate>Sun, 15 May 2011 01:42:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2011-05-14T20:44:55.598-05:00</atom:updated><title>Derek Boogaard June 23, 1982 – May 13, 2011</title><description><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAW6FWHOhTnwDwVKi68IAYzSqhELfC6ZiZqKj995Bv7_TNmo9mja-sqN-jIkRQ5xTj937mGQTkoIu6NMOMh3p8GNDp6uTH8X2X0WEoviYNw2gY8HvMwXt14i0RKwVq6tOOZ7UAczpaRE/s1600/Boogaard_Derek.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAW6FWHOhTnwDwVKi68IAYzSqhELfC6ZiZqKj995Bv7_TNmo9mja-sqN-jIkRQ5xTj937mGQTkoIu6NMOMh3p8GNDp6uTH8X2X0WEoviYNw2gY8HvMwXt14i0RKwVq6tOOZ7UAczpaRE/s320/Boogaard_Derek.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606752803656281186" border="0" /></a></description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2011/05/derek-boogaard-june-23-1982-may-13-2011.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (ttvext)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAW6FWHOhTnwDwVKi68IAYzSqhELfC6ZiZqKj995Bv7_TNmo9mja-sqN-jIkRQ5xTj937mGQTkoIu6NMOMh3p8GNDp6uTH8X2X0WEoviYNw2gY8HvMwXt14i0RKwVq6tOOZ7UAczpaRE/s72-c/Boogaard_Derek.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-2791011423038342154</guid><pubDate>Sat, 25 Sep 2010 14:18:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-09-25T09:31:05.245-05:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">NHL Fantasy Hockey</category><title>Fantasy Season</title><description><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QSxAKwvnqBMqDQI1Q-ReQoMKmWVEjLPlC0Ml42nVImbn2Wgl5j_mKBNAzFnlPsnjnVDLlPaSPN2n6Df-6UN3S7G0nHlPbM6FIxDgFGvAg4UOAFB5XHRbyTq8kJ6doyWeGr8ST-FoW7U/s1600/wildnews6.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 66px; height: 65px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QSxAKwvnqBMqDQI1Q-ReQoMKmWVEjLPlC0Ml42nVImbn2Wgl5j_mKBNAzFnlPsnjnVDLlPaSPN2n6Df-6UN3S7G0nHlPbM6FIxDgFGvAg4UOAFB5XHRbyTq8kJ6doyWeGr8ST-FoW7U/s320/wildnews6.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520858189439915794" border="0" /></a> No, not a Wild post here but instead I am gearing up for another season of fantasy hockey. I have two leagues that I would like to fill so I am throwing this out to anyone who may be interested. These are semi-serious leagues and would prefer those who are active. The first league will be our 6th season at Yahoo and consists of a roto style scoring with an auto draft. I have it set to 20 teams and still need 11 to fill it. The second league is over at ESPN and is a smaller, 10 team league. This league is a points based scoring league and will have a live auction draft, which is set for October 2, 10:00 pm CST. The Yahoo league can be reduced as far as how many teams are allowed in and conversely, the ESPN league can be expanded based on how much interest there is. Please contact me by simply clicking on the envelope at the top of the sidebar to the right if you are interested in either league. As for Wild posts...I've been busy.</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/09/fantasy-season.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QSxAKwvnqBMqDQI1Q-ReQoMKmWVEjLPlC0Ml42nVImbn2Wgl5j_mKBNAzFnlPsnjnVDLlPaSPN2n6Df-6UN3S7G0nHlPbM6FIxDgFGvAg4UOAFB5XHRbyTq8kJ6doyWeGr8ST-FoW7U/s72-c/wildnews6.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-8818918439080927782</guid><pubDate>Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:15:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-07-15T20:29:12.343-05:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Mikko Koivu</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><title>Koivu signs...official release</title><description><blockquote></blockquote><div></div><blockquote> <div> </div> <div style="text-align: left;">For Immediate Release Thursday, July 15, 2010 MINNESOTA WILD SIGNS CENTER MIKKO KOIVU THRU 2017-18 SEASON</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="padding-right: 0pt; text-align: justify;"> SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed team captain Mikko Koivu to a seven-year contract extension starting with the 2011-12 season thru the 2017-18 NHL campaign.</div> <div style="padding-right: 0pt; text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “I am pleased to announce that our captain, Mikko Koivu, has signed a seven-year contract extension which will keep him in a Wild uniform through the 2017-18 season,” said Fletcher. “This is an historic day for the Wild. Mikko is the flag in the ground that we will build our team around. He is our franchise player, an excellent leader and an exceptional hockey player.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="padding-right: 0pt; text-align: justify;"> Koivu, 27 (3/12/83), led the Wild in points (71) and assists (49) for the second consecutive season and set new career highs in goals (22), assists and points in 2009-10. His assist total was one shy of the Wild record set by Pierre-Marc Bouchard in 2007-08 and his point total was the third highest in club history. The 6-foot-2, 214-pound center also led the team with 20 multi-point games. Koivu ranked second in the NHL in face-offs won, seventh in faceoffs taken and eighth in faceoff percentage (56.9). He also ranked tied for 16th in the NHL in assists, tied for 23rd in scoring and 16th amongst forwards in average time on ice (20:44). </div> <div style="padding-right: 0pt; text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="padding-right: 0pt; text-align: justify;"> He was named the first full-time captain in team history on Oct. 20, 2009 and has appeared in 362 games with Minnesota tallying 255 points (79-176=255) and 256 PIM in five seasons. Koivu owns 58 career multi-point games and the Wild is 42-11-5 in those contests. He ranks tied for second on the Wild’s all-time list in SHG (seven), third in assists, multi-point games and shots (884), fourth in points, fifth in goals and seventh in games played. Koivu has won 52.8% of faceoffs in his career. </div> <div style="padding-right: 0pt; text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="padding-right: 0pt; text-align: justify;"> He has represented Finland at the last two Winter Olympics recording four assists in six games to earn a bronze medal at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and captured a silver medal at the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy. The native of Turku, Finland, was originally selected by Minnesota in the first round (No. 6) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. </div> <div style="padding-right: 0pt; text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> 2010-2011 Season Tickets including new 10-game and 20-game partial season ticket plans are now available for select Lower Level and Treasure Island Resort &amp; Casino Club level seats. More information on Season Tickets is available at <a href="http://www.wild.com/">www.wild.com</a>, or by contacting a Wild Ticket Sales Representative at 651-222-WILD.</div> <div style="margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;">-- WILD --</div></blockquote><div style="margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"></div></description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/07/for-immediate-release-thursday-july-15.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><thr:total>1</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-2929607154271022748</guid><pubDate>Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:58:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-03-07T07:50:15.018-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Derek Boogaard</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Eric Belanger</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Sidney Crosby</category><title>3 of 4 not enough...today's a must win</title><description><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEL0OcXJWfGJGYGilm7GYHw6VIg9Mn_vEmJuNJYoDep2NpRtUor4FB2KyuzO_wWiLHFF7cE-k4XVmvlAvKFi0L9Ah4Z4uXNuvVFX9h-61Qs8pqacdNwXSncXivqvAYzQHsJgtDFEhswH0/s1600-h/wildnews10.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 55px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEL0OcXJWfGJGYGilm7GYHw6VIg9Mn_vEmJuNJYoDep2NpRtUor4FB2KyuzO_wWiLHFF7cE-k4XVmvlAvKFi0L9Ah4Z4uXNuvVFX9h-61Qs8pqacdNwXSncXivqvAYzQHsJgtDFEhswH0/s320/wildnews10.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445884754270934610" border="0" /></a> Ordinarily, earning 3 of 4 points on the road against Western Conference opponents would be considered a successful road-trip. But because it is this late in the season and the Minnesota Wild are still trying to leapfrog a few teams in front of them in order to gain a playoff spot, leaving that 1 point on the ice was probably a fatal blow. You certainly can point out several other missed opportunities that will probably prove to have contributed to the downfall this season, but losing in a shootout to the worst team in the league has to rank near the top. Which makes today's game, followed by Tuesday's game, must win events. Today the team has a rematch of sorts with Calgary, the team the Wild posted a shutout against in the first game of that short road-trip. It was the teams first action since the long Olympic break so it was a nice way to start-up this season ending stretch. Minnesota did not look particularly sharp in that game but hey, a win is a win. Unfortunately the Wild followed that up with another mistake filled game against the league's bottom-dweller in Edmonton. From my vantage point, Minnesota did not play as badly as described by the local print-press, but hey, a loss is a loss. The only possible saving factor to that loss is that they did earn the 'free' point, but that is one of many points left on the ice that this team will undoubtedly point to if they fail to earn a top-eight conference standings position. Finally, after hosting the Flames this afternoon, the Wild again will be the home-team in a game against the Florida Panthers...in another (you guessed it) must win game. Boogaard suspended If ever there was a player who is not going to receive the 'benefit of the doubt', it is Derek Boogaard. His latest faux pas was of the knee-on-knee variety that earned him a two-game stint in the press box and $21,000 in pay. It was not necessarily a vicious hit, but considering who the player was to throw out that huge tree-like limb, it does not come as a shock. What this means is that the leagues player with the longest goal drought streak going has 2 less games to light that lamp. 400 Today will mark the franchises 400 consecutive sellout, which includes every game that the Wild have played in the Xcel Energy Center. Now much has been made of the sellout streak and it has been reported that the NHL basis sellouts on ticket distribution rather than tickets sold so it is a hedge-like stat. But the fact does remain that this team is filling the seats on a consistent basis, which is a credit to the fans considering where this team has been and is at, as far as standings go, in recent seasons. This steak is the longest current streak and third longest all-time in the NHL. Longest Recorded NHL Sellout Streaks <ul><li>487 – Colorado Avalanche</li> <li>452 – Detroit Red Wings</li> <li>399 – Minnesota Wild</li> <li>359 – Buffalo Sabres</li></ul>Belanger scores Recently traded and former Wild center Eric Belanger scored his first goal as a new member of the Washington Capitals. It was his second game with his new team and the goal puts him within 3 points of his career high in points. Missing gloves and sticks It seems some lucky fan has a gem in the sweaty gloves and used stick that scored the winning goal in the Olympic Gold Medal game. Reebok Canada is offering a $10,000 reward, no questions asked, for the return of the stick and gloves Sidney Crosby used to score in overtime in Canada's Olympic championship victory over the United States. So desperate are they to get the gear back, they have even set up an 'email hot-line' with the hopes that the opportunistic entrepreneur will bite on the low-ball reward. <div style="padding-left: 172pt; text-indent: 14pt;"></div></description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/03/3-of-4-not-enoughtodays-must-win.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEL0OcXJWfGJGYGilm7GYHw6VIg9Mn_vEmJuNJYoDep2NpRtUor4FB2KyuzO_wWiLHFF7cE-k4XVmvlAvKFi0L9Ah4Z4uXNuvVFX9h-61Qs8pqacdNwXSncXivqvAYzQHsJgtDFEhswH0/s72-c/wildnews10.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-4264606138205309064</guid><pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:30:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-03-04T15:47:43.921-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Eric Belanger</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><title>Still thin at 'C' position</title><description>I was never sold on the value of Eric Belanger, however the numbers he has posted to date this season were improved and much needed for our on the outside looking in team. He currently is only 3 points away from a career high and he brought energy and jump to the rink in every game and every shift. However, the self proclaimed 'top line' center who was moved to the Capitals today in exchange for a 2nd rounder in this summers draft, was just another ordinary center...a 'dime-a-dozen' position player that can be replaced. He is interchangeable simply because he was playing a line or two above his abilities. He is not a top-line player as he once stated, and it is a stretch to even consider him as a second line center. This is not a knock on Belanger as a player, but instead a shot at the Wild, who once again are being exposed up the middle...a need that has been present for several seasons. Anyway, the official release is below... <blockquote>For Immediate Release Wednesday, March 3, 2010 MINNESOTA WILD ACQUIRES SECOND-ROUND PICK FROM WASHINGTON CAPITALS IN EXCHANGE FOR C ERIC BELANGER SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has acquired a second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft from the Washington Capitals in exchange for center Eric Belanger. Belanger, 32 (12/16/77), has posted 35 points (13-22=35) in 60 games this season, while ranking seventh in the NHL with a 57.6 faceoff percentage. The 5-foot-11, 187-pound native of Sherbrooke, Quebec, has recorded 293 points (119-174=293) in 617 NHL games in nine NHL seasons with Los Angeles, Carolina, Atlanta and Minnesota. For more information on single game ticket packages, including this Sunday’s game against the Calgary Flames, visit www.wild.com/ticketpacks. -- WILD -- Follow the Minnesota Wild on Twitter and Facebook. </blockquote></description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/03/still-thin-at-c-position.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-232133569491175987</guid><pubDate>Sun, 28 Feb 2010 12:26:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-03-01T16:49:55.836-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><title>The let-down begins</title><description><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhYyw5ZHUYVGqV8np6TzTNa90ezrf4LrBX-AvEFvKCFDLIF6QHKf3PoP-atIzB503AnbuXA3kLtOPNSRItQ2aarjj_8-3zTGHKVh43fboFacjVWXagOpX6oXqRovFBAQau8F_F3TVHHI/s1600-h/wildnews10.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 55px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhYyw5ZHUYVGqV8np6TzTNa90ezrf4LrBX-AvEFvKCFDLIF6QHKf3PoP-atIzB503AnbuXA3kLtOPNSRItQ2aarjj_8-3zTGHKVh43fboFacjVWXagOpX6oXqRovFBAQau8F_F3TVHHI/s320/wildnews10.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443799971005566914" border="0" /></a> It is hard to argue that this latest Olympic hockey tournament was the best ever. It featured &amp; displayed arguably the best players in the world who played at neck-break speeds &amp; passion that has never been seen. The outcome, although great, does not match that of the 1980 Miracle team, as that was a different time and under different circumstances, but it does top that event because of the level of play that was display for the past couple of weeks. Unfortunately, it did not end with an American victory as Team Canada needed overtime to end the Gold Medal hopes of Team USA. Not bad for a bunch of overachievers that carried only a couple of players that were deemed worthy enough to play for our 'friends' to the North...yeah whatever O-Canada. At any rate, it was a great finish to a great tournament and left fans craving more. The hockey that we just witnessed over this two-week period was nothing short of spectacular and may never be repeated again, in the short-term, as in four years from now. It has yet to be determined if the NHL and it's players union will be able to forge an agreement that will allow such a display in 2014 when the next Winter Games are held and hosted by Sochi Russia. So now the let-down begins. I am as excited as the next fan to have our NHL teams up and running again. But if you are expecting the kind of hockey that was just witnessed, think again. While it is true that the majority of the Olympic rosters were filled with NHL'ers, the quality of play will not be that same once the league gets cranked back up. While the intensity may reach levels of the Winter Games because most teams are entering their 'playoff mode', the skill will be lacking. After all, NHL rosters are not filled top to bottom with the kind of quality players we just watched. Speaking of NHL'ers in 2014... The Wild's chase in the Western Conference is foremost on fans minds now that the Olympic torch has been extinguished but since we are fresh of the games, the thoughts in the international community may be turning towards whether or not they will see our NHL players in 2014. You read in a post here earlier that I don't like seeing my favorite team and league shut down for an extended period of time. First off, it smells of that same 'second-class' league stench that is never seen in the other 3 major league organizations. Imagine for a minute the NFL shutting down for anything other than a labor dispute. It just would not happen. Secondly, if you did not notice, the NHL was in the midst of stepping into the fire in terms of playoff positioning &amp; conference races and closing the doors for weeks is not exactly the way to keep the momentum going. I know the owners and front office folks would agree with me on this but the true revenue generators, the players, would not subscribe to my opinion. Yes, I loved the hockey that made up the Olympics but the timing could not be worse. It is unfortunate that during the games, the NHL season is revved up and really poised for some great playoff positioning battles. And throw into the mix that the NHL is only sharing the stage with the NBA at this time of year, so competition from other professional leagues is low. Earlier, my idea was to 'let the amateurs play'...but after watching this latest tournament, I have to rescind that thought, with a caveat. Unless they can come up with a way to allow NHL players in the Olympics without disrupting the NHL season to the degree that it did this time around, I have to continue to disagree.</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/02/let-down-begins.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhYyw5ZHUYVGqV8np6TzTNa90ezrf4LrBX-AvEFvKCFDLIF6QHKf3PoP-atIzB503AnbuXA3kLtOPNSRItQ2aarjj_8-3zTGHKVh43fboFacjVWXagOpX6oXqRovFBAQau8F_F3TVHHI/s72-c/wildnews10.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-2445241098423781324</guid><pubDate>Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:35:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-02-25T18:49:26.751-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Cal Clutterbuck</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Chuck Fletcher</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><title>Wild hits will continue...Clutterbuck signs extension</title><description><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP10nKdOb4IgzyxjZNfaWuhHH_Dr8erEdu4bcUjzillRMBZXG9tVIY7jNiDvMFPgIWWwB5KjoMd-EL9srTGs9d3e_r-FiaY54KJp3xlazRtqCHSe36gBkom7FX6RSI67lx2TvuRXcBT2s/s1600-h/wildnews10.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 55px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP10nKdOb4IgzyxjZNfaWuhHH_Dr8erEdu4bcUjzillRMBZXG9tVIY7jNiDvMFPgIWWwB5KjoMd-EL9srTGs9d3e_r-FiaY54KJp3xlazRtqCHSe36gBkom7FX6RSI67lx2TvuRXcBT2s/s320/wildnews10.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442347074796469714" border="0" /></a> Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher continued solidifying a foundation for the future with the signing of Cal Clutterbuck today. Clutterbuck was scheduled to become a restricted free agent at seasons end, but with no mystery as to whether the 'hitting machine' would return...he signed a 3-year extension. Below is the release along with a few notes from my inbox... <ul><li>The Wild (30-27-4) is in 13th position in the Western Conference, but is only five points behind eighth-place Calgary, with a game in hand. The Wild faces the Flames four times in its final 21 games.</li> <li>Minnesota carried a 6-4-0 mark in its last 10 games before the Olympic Break.</li> <li>The Wild plays 10 of its final 21 games at Xcel Energy Center. Minnesota is 21-8-2 at home – the sixth-best points percentage of any NHL team at home.</li><li>Minnesota will tie a franchise record playing 16 games in March (all in the final 29 days).</li> <li>The Wild plays nine of its final 21 games against teams not currently in playoff position </li></ul> <blockquote>For Immediate Release Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010 MINNESOTA WILD SIGNS RW CAL CLUTTERBUCK TO A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed RW Cal Clutterbuck to a three-year contract extension. Clutterbuck will be available to the media upon the conclusion of today’s 10:30 a.m. practice at St. Thomas Arena. “Cal is an intense competitor who has quickly become a fan favorite with the Wild,” Fletcher said. “We look forward to watching his development for years to come.” Clutterbuck, 22 (11/18/87), set the NHL’s single-season hits mark in 2008-09 with 356, and again leads the NHL this season with 252 hits. Clutterbuck has recorded a career-high 12 goals in 54 games this season, while also tying his career-high with 18 points. The 5-foot-11, 213-pound native of Welland, Ont., has posted 36 points (23-13=36) and 110 penalty minutes in 134 games over two-plus seasons with the Wild. Clutterbuck was the Wild’s third-round pick (No. 72 overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Great seats are still available for all Minnesota Wild home games including Tuesday, March 9 when the Wild hosts the Florida Panthers. For more information on single game ticket packages visit www.wild.com/ticketpacks. -- WILD -- Follow the Minnesota Wild on Twitter and Facebook.</blockquote></description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/02/wild-hits-will-continueclutterbuck.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP10nKdOb4IgzyxjZNfaWuhHH_Dr8erEdu4bcUjzillRMBZXG9tVIY7jNiDvMFPgIWWwB5KjoMd-EL9srTGs9d3e_r-FiaY54KJp3xlazRtqCHSe36gBkom7FX6RSI67lx2TvuRXcBT2s/s72-c/wildnews10.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-6727652151976997446</guid><pubDate>Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:09:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-02-19T15:43:26.211-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><title>Interesting Swiss takes</title><description>I for one was not alarmed by the scores of the opening Olympic men's hockey games. It played out as it should have, and the fact that Russia and namely the host team, Canada, both put up 8-spots on their opponents and won handily, while the US v Switzerland 3-1 game was much closer, was of no concern. However, what was alarming &amp; concerning was the way that the media handled that narrow US victory. It seems that because two of the favorites in the tournament, Canada &amp; Russia, easily strolled through their opening game, the US slim 3-1 win was looked at with skepticism and a wink as an accomplishment. The words used following that game were similar to 'well it looks as if the US needs some work'. The Swiss team put up a good fight, they said, but were certainly no match for the teams that were lined with NHL talent. And because of this, it was widely reported that our team got a little lucky. Fast-forward to last night when that same Switzerland team rode Canada through overtime, before eventually falling in a shootout. It was a very entertaining and a great game to watch but funny, all of a sudden those same television commentators &amp; reporters had nothing but praise for the Swiss. It was not a slip by the mighty Canadian team but instead a 'gutsy' performance by the now not so under-matched team from the Alps. Instead of criticizing Team Canada, which is the way it played out for Team USA, the tables turned to praise for the Swiss...which should have been the case in the first game between the US and Switzerland. There should be no debate on who has the more high-profile roster between the US and our friends to the North, as it seems pretty obvious. However, there should also be no double standard because after all, they both carry star-studded rosters consisting of the best that there is. But what irks me is that the media does use that double talk, when it seems to be plain as day after watching both games...the Swiss have a fast, big &amp; physical, and very skilled hockey team that is above all, very determined.</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/02/interesting-swiss-takes.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-5127280588077736453</guid><pubDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:39:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-02-18T15:40:30.861-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Marek Zidlicky</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Martin Havlat</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Mikko Koivu</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><title>Notes about nothing</title><description>Wild Olympic connections Our Minnesota Wild, although not represented in big numbers in the Olympic Games, are making an impact for their respective teams. Mikko Koivu leads the way, as his 3 assists helped Finland defeat Belarus 5-1. Martin Havlat &amp; Marek Zidlicky, representing the Czech Republic, both netted assists in their 3-1 win over Slovakia. Finally, the teams last Olympian, Niklas Backstrom, expects to get the start for his Finish teams' second game tomorrow night. New sports radio station in town Finally, a little bit of competition for KFAN, the areas only all-sports radio station. Now on the Fan, there are several enjoyable shows that are hosted by entertaining personalities. However, there is one show in particular that has absolutely tanked, leading back to the days when one of it's co-hosts was taken off the air. The only problem is that what is offered under the new all-sports format at AM 1500 KSTP is not any better during this same time slot. The Colin Cowherd show is no show at all, but instead a non-stop rant of what the host likes and dislikes. It is similar to our own 9 to noon show in that the host pretends to know more than they do and comes off sounding more uniformed than if they were to simply admit to what they did not know. The one thing that gives hope however is that KSTP's new programming is a work in progress and will hopefully improve with time...as down the dial, it seems that the 'voice' will remain stagnant as long as he is the voice. As for the 'local' programming provided by KSTP, it is just OK. Mr. Phunn has hooked up with the station, as he was a former side-kick to HiFi at the Fan, and he is a good one to listen to. Other than that, it is much of the same from Reusse and Soucheray, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. The form a good team and listeners now can listen to their weekend sports talk show during the week. It is obvious that things are not set yet with KSTP...but it is already a nice alternative to the 'leader'. Why the NBA is a joke I heard former Wolves coach and VP Kevin McHale today and he matter-of-factly stated during his interview that all NBA teams pace themselves during the season until the all-star break. Really, they don't always play hard? Or to win either. It is coming down to that time of year when teams will literally play to lose. That draft pick is much more important than integrity and self respect. And the fans don't condemn this idea but instead promote it. Only in the NBA, a league that is disguised as a 'team' sport.</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/02/notes-about-nothing.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-5887087495448073687</guid><pubDate>Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:32:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-03-01T16:50:44.959-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Olympic Schedule</category><title>Olympic Schedule</title><description>A few weeks is a life-time to go without the NHL...but fortunately the reason for the break is so that we can see the best in the world on the ice. Below is a thumbnail schedule of the games... <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" rules="none" width="65%"><tbody><tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">February 16</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td width="45%">Group A</td><td width="20%"><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fusa.png" /></td><td width="15%">3-1</td><td width="20%"><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fswi.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Group A</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fcan.png" /></td><td>8-0</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fnor.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Group B</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/frus.png" /></td><td>8-2</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/flat.png" /></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"> </td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">February 17</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Group C</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/ffin.png" /></td><td>5-1</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fbel.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Group C</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fswe.png" /></td><td>2-0</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fger.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Group B</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fcze.png" /></td><td>3-1</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fslo.png" /></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"> </td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">February 18</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Group A</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fusa.png" /></td><td>6-1</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fnor.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Group A</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fswi.png" /></td><td>2-3</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fcan.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Group B</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fslo.png" /></td><td>2-1</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/frus.png" /></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"> </td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">February 19</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Group C</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fbel.png" /></td><td>2-4</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fswe.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Group B</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fcze.png" /></td><td>5-2</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/flat.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Group C</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/ffin.png" /></td><td>5-0</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fger.png" /></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"> </td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">February 20</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Group A</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fnor.png" /></td><td>4-5</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fswi.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Group B</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/flat.png" /></td><td>0-6</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fslo.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Group C</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fger.png" /></td><td>3-5</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fbel.png" /></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"> </td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">February 21</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Group B</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/frus.png" /></td><td>4-2</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fcze.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Group A</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fcan.png" /></td><td>3-5</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fusa.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Group C</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fswe.png" /></td><td>3-0</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/ffin.png" /></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"> </td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">February 23</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Qualification</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fswi.png" /></td><td>3-2</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fbel.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Qualification</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fcan.png" /></td><td>8-2</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fger.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Qualification</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fcze.png" /></td><td>3-2</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/flat.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Qualification</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fslo.png" /></td><td>4-3</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fnor.png" /></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"> </td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">February 24</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Quarterfinal</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fusa.png" /></td><td>2-0</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fswi.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Quarterfinal</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/frus.png" /></td><td>3-7</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fcan.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Quarterfinal</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/ffin.png" /></td><td>2-0</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fcze.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Quarterfinal</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fswe.png" /></td><td>3-4</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fslo.png" /></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"> </td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">February 26</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Semifinal</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fusa.png" /></td><td>6-1</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/ffin.png" /></td></tr><tr><td>Semifinal</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fcan.png" /></td><td>3-2</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fslo.png" /></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"> </td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">February 27</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Bronze Medal</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/ffin.png" /></td><td>5-3</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fslo.png" /></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"> </td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">February 28</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Gold Medal</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fusa.png" /></td><td>2-3</td><td><img src="http://simpletweb.com/wildpuck/fcan.png" /></td></tr></tbody></table></description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/02/olympic-schedule.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-2010693724330988689</guid><pubDate>Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:14:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-02-14T17:10:24.860-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Cam Barker</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Derek Boogaard</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><title>Offensive dominance</title><description><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvo9LXRbfA9HdGUeI048_ngX3Ot4so2Hce-DRLJ-dyiBP2Hx2TpUMhHHE1CaabgnQPv5UAXJvzGJLcwYepYqvjYJB2DDOAJnak1C1-GOfFv9EjJbu3vALnH6JA7fd5MLjAuVpR2y4nOQ/s1600-h/wildnews11.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 52px; height: 84px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvo9LXRbfA9HdGUeI048_ngX3Ot4so2Hce-DRLJ-dyiBP2Hx2TpUMhHHE1CaabgnQPv5UAXJvzGJLcwYepYqvjYJB2DDOAJnak1C1-GOfFv9EjJbu3vALnH6JA7fd5MLjAuVpR2y4nOQ/s320/wildnews11.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438239698197389394" border="0" /></a> Never has the Minnesota Wild been described as an offensive machine. In fact throughout the history of this franchise, they has been known as the team that played it tight on defense, with the hope that they would score one more goal than the days opponent. But today, the Wild dominated the Vancouver Canucks with good old fashion offense. They played as a team trying to post as many goals as they could, hoping to out-race their opponent. And they did just that with a 6-2 win. The team from Minnesota has not by any means taken on the league leaders in goals per game, as they currently rank 16th with 2.68 goals a game, but for one game they played like a championship caliber team. Unfortunately, this latest 5-game home-stand probably needed to produce 8 points in order playoff positioning, and it only produced 6. Never has a Wild team been looked at as a risk-taking bunch. But the new style that Coach Todd Richards has installed, when played as designed, sees Minnesota gambling as if they were playing in Vegas. Several times this afternoon, both defensemen were seen pinching in the offensive zone...not caught however, because they were usually successful holding the puck in the zone. And the forwards were up to the task of covering for their teammates. As for d-pinching in general, it has become a routine play on virtually every shift. It's a brand that has shown its head at times throughout the season, never with any consistency, but in front of the largest crowd this season (19,342), today proved that when executed, it will lead to wins. It would be a mistake to declare anything from this game other than it was one of the best efforts of the season for our home-town team. But you certainly can say that when Minnesota is 'on', they are exciting to watch. They still have several holes to fill before one could declare the Wild 'playoff ready', but it is obvious that this new style is the right track to take this team on in leading them into the future. Debut for Barker Newly acquired defenseman Cam Barker had a great start to his career in Minnesota. Although he has only averaged just over 13 minutes a game this season before coming to the Wild, he finished his Wild debut with 20:46 total, was a +3, and added a late goal. He looked very comfortable and was given almost 4 minutes of power-play time, something he indicated in his conference call that he hoped would increase. I think it will become more clear that this deal to acquire Barker was initiated by his former team for the simple reason of trying to shed future payroll...and the Wild should prove to be the winners in this deal. Knuckleheads never change It never fails, season after season, the Vancouver Canucks employ a group of hockey hacks. It does not seem to matter who is in charge of the front office or who is behind the bench, as they always manage to employ dirty players. Back in the day our friends to the north carried Bertuzzi and Ruutu, followed by Cooke, and now Burrows...does not matter what season it is, they carry at least one knucklehead. Boogaard snake-bitten I know it is ludicrous to expect Derek Boogaard to score goals on a consistent basis, but he is truly having lousy luck around the net. He managed to record assist number 4 today but had several chances in close. In fact, when he is suited, his role has not changed but his increased ice-time, more than one minute above last seasons average, has seemed to put him in that position frequently, in front of the offensive net, where he has had more than his share of chances in close. It is only a matter of time before one bounces in but once they start, they continue in bunches. Olympic break I know most fans will not enjoy this two-week NHL drought, but it does give us a chance to witness the best in the world on the ice...so enjoy your Olympic break...and go USA!</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/02/offensive-dominance.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvo9LXRbfA9HdGUeI048_ngX3Ot4so2Hce-DRLJ-dyiBP2Hx2TpUMhHHE1CaabgnQPv5UAXJvzGJLcwYepYqvjYJB2DDOAJnak1C1-GOfFv9EjJbu3vALnH6JA7fd5MLjAuVpR2y4nOQ/s72-c/wildnews11.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-4287659712838016280</guid><pubDate>Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:57:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-02-12T16:29:02.294-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Cam Barker</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Guillaume Latendresse</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Kim Johnsson</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Nick Leddy</category><title>From my inbox</title><description><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0K9q-ZsPNCc0uB9RsD6NwWEqtDAq2VH1ZvBEr8Ooqh6jz3trDxJCOf-ddE_4DTmyACD5U3jXSSN3qz-Z1QI-eJzM8CRxc1yJpHe92kC1C50WSOk6emygkjV8JnKR3z7gafvXpf5RWbPA/s1600-h/wildnews10.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 55px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0K9q-ZsPNCc0uB9RsD6NwWEqtDAq2VH1ZvBEr8Ooqh6jz3trDxJCOf-ddE_4DTmyACD5U3jXSSN3qz-Z1QI-eJzM8CRxc1yJpHe92kC1C50WSOk6emygkjV8JnKR3z7gafvXpf5RWbPA/s320/wildnews10.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437484110369230130" border="0" /></a> <div></div><blockquote>For Immediate Release Friday, Feb. 12, 2010 MINNESOTA WILD ACQUIRES CAM BARKER FROM CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS IN EXCHANGE FOR KIM JOHNSSON AND NICK LEDDY SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has acquired defenseman Cam Barker from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defensemen Kim Johnsson and Nick Leddy. “I thank Kim Johnsson for his efforts and contributions to the Wild’s success over the last four seasons,” said Fletcher. “We are very excited to add Cam Barker to our team. It is difficult to obtain a 23-year defenseman with Cam’s size and talent.” Barker, 23 (4/4/86), has acquired 14 points (4-10=14) and 58 penalty minutes (PIM) in 51 games with Chicago this season. He set career-highs with 40 points (6-34=40) in 68 contests with the Blackhawks in 2008-09, tallying 24 of his 34 assists on the power play and ranked tied for sixth among NHL defensemen with 29 power play points. Barker added nine points (3-6=9) in 17 playoff matches with Chicago. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, has skated in 200 career NHL contests with the Blackhawks registering 80 points (17-63=80) and 219 PIM. He was originally selected by Chicago third overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Johnsson, 33 (3/16/76), has recorded 281 points (66-215=281) in 731 career NHL contests with the New York Rangers, Philadelphia and Minnesota. Leddy, 18 (3/20/91), a native of Eden Prairie, Minn., was selected by the Wild in the first round (16th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He has five points (1-4=5) in 19 games in his freshman season at the University of Minnesota. Great seats are still available for all Minnesota Wild home games, including tonight’s game against the Atlanta Thrashers. For more information on single game ticket packages visit www.wild.com/ticketpacks. Chuck Fletcher will be available to discuss today’s trade with media at 6:15 p.m. in the Xcel Energy Center press box -- WILD -- Follow the Minnesota Wild on Twitter and Facebook.</blockquote>My thoughts...I am probably in the minority on this by I like Johnsson. And it has been reported that the Wild would pursue either Johnsson or Marek Zidlicky at seasons end, both who are pending UFA's. My choice would have been Johnsson but both have had their ups and downs, that is for sure. Fans have been on dogging these players at different times because of their inconsistent play. However, I believe Johnsson is more reliable defensemen. As for Leddy...I don't like losing a first round pick. It is pretty clear that he is not progressing at the U, but he is basically in the infant stages of his career, so who knows how good he is going to be. And now for what I see as the prize in Barker. He was a 3rd overall pick so his potential is very high, much like Leddy. His size is a plus, 6-3 &amp; 222 lbs, and because he is still young, he will probably add to that frame. The one knock is his contract. It is inflated because he was one of the Blackhawks players who did not receive their qualifying offer on time this past off-season, thus had to quickly be resigned under the assumption that he would have been unrestricted. What that means is Barker is a $3 million a year player. It is yet to be determined how high Barker and departed Leddy will get to, so there is uncertainty with this move. It is clear that Chicago made this move because of future 'cap space'. What I do like is similar to what I liked about acquiring Guillaume Latendresse...bringing in a player who has not been reaching expectations, with the upside being huge if potential is reached. <div style="text-align: center;"></div></description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/02/from-my-inbox.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0K9q-ZsPNCc0uB9RsD6NwWEqtDAq2VH1ZvBEr8Ooqh6jz3trDxJCOf-ddE_4DTmyACD5U3jXSSN3qz-Z1QI-eJzM8CRxc1yJpHe92kC1C50WSOk6emygkjV8JnKR3z7gafvXpf5RWbPA/s72-c/wildnews10.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-6382490993823470330</guid><pubDate>Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:49:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-02-10T16:28:37.992-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Antti Miettinen</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Chuck Fletcher</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Colton Gillies</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Danny Heately</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Doug Risebrough</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Marco Scandella</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Mikko Koivu</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Niklas Backstrom</category><title>The killer clause</title><description><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFK95wgQjwA9AbgObmxn2GdxijKzg4-AKX9PoWzDI-hA_abJIqXluc0fns9omgSnuW3Jg0j6vuiyqa1HDKbpH1hTGWSejgWAyZMTx9I-yd3u1fN-q7Zi-m-jit7fdyoiN1AXYIJrkL6Gk/s1600-h/wildnews10.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFK95wgQjwA9AbgObmxn2GdxijKzg4-AKX9PoWzDI-hA_abJIqXluc0fns9omgSnuW3Jg0j6vuiyqa1HDKbpH1hTGWSejgWAyZMTx9I-yd3u1fN-q7Zi-m-jit7fdyoiN1AXYIJrkL6Gk/s320/wildnews10.png" border="0" /></a>The 'no trade clause' (ntc) or 'no movement clause' (nmc) language in a players contract can be a huge windfall for the player but on the other end, be a such a burdensome and hand-tying clause to the team that happens to ink that player. While I cannot site the origins of these clauses, the player agent that happened to persuade the first deal with this in it was a genius. It not only gives the player security within a certain franchise and organization, but it also grants that same player the upper-hand should a team want to move in a different direction that did not include said player. And if a player wanted out of a certain city or team, this contract clause, depending on the terms, makes it more likely that an agreeable destination will be the final landing spot. We all witnessed the fiasco that occurred this off-season with disgruntled Ottawa Senators forward Dany Heatley, who wanted out of Ottawa. At the time it was reported that the Senators and the Edmonton Oilers had a solid deal in place, but the one individual on the players side who had the power of veto exercised it, and the deal fell through. One has to wonder whether or not our own Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher is cursing ex-gm Doug Risebrough for allowing a veto clause into the contract of Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom. Backstrom has been a franchise goaltender and his numbers speak for themselves. Before signing a new four-year, $24 million contract last March, one that reportedly contains a ntc or nmc, he was the sole goaltender in the league that ranked in the top 5 in the five major goaltending categories (gaa, w, sv% &amp; so). He ended the season in the same fashion, finishing near the top in all five statistical categories. And for his career, Backstrom is the Wild's all-time leader in wins (115), was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy last season, and has career 2.34 gaa to go along with a .919 sv%. And to think he was originally signed as a free-agent before the 2006 season. These are all top-notch qualities that should not be overlooked. However, he is three days shy of turning 32 and it seems his best days are at present. That considered however, he is still a player that would garner top value and could be a piece that re-fills the prospect and draft choice void left by Risebrough. The fact is that this team is in no position to make a series run at the Stanley Cup in the near future and now is the time to get the team younger. While they have been playing solid as of late, they are still on the outside of the Western Conference playoff window looking in. And you can bet that things will not dramatically improve before next season. Trading Backstrom should not be considered a sell-out to the season either, as the Wild have a backup in Josh Harding who is more than capable of playing as the #1 guy. In fact, although he is currently injured, he has earned more starts...starts that will undoubtedly give him more confidence and hopefully elevate his game to a new level. Backstrom's ntc or nmc is a problem and could prove to be a tricky situation, if that route is sought by Minnesota. But I believe that Fletcher would be negligent in trying to improve this franchise if he were to ignore the possibilities of dealing our franchise goaltender. Minnesota on the road...again <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3XB0j0zm_dQfCXcH8_6WLctGLYJPbBqGSX_A6vH5pqmcIho0-xCPbXt8RU6S2FGALboFscOsksQyHPvLQMc1IYIxxaf3yRFbeGyqFyjSlfTvh8n0ktYsAuhyV6n1fWskjw6eRbgXPLw/s1600-h/Helsinki1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3XB0j0zm_dQfCXcH8_6WLctGLYJPbBqGSX_A6vH5pqmcIho0-xCPbXt8RU6S2FGALboFscOsksQyHPvLQMc1IYIxxaf3yRFbeGyqFyjSlfTvh8n0ktYsAuhyV6n1fWskjw6eRbgXPLw/s320/Helsinki1.png" border="0" /></a> It is finally official. The Wild will open next season on the road, as in on the road overseas. Minnesota will open the 2010-2011 season in Helsinki Finland in a two game 'home &amp; away' series with the Carolina Hurricanes. It was also reported that the team will partake in an exhibition game against Mikko Kiovu's former team, Turuk TPS, a team in which he is part owner of. I am sure that there was much celebration from Kiovu and fellow Finnish players Niklas Backstrom and Antti Miettinen when the announcement was made. But for some players, I wonder if secretly this was looked at as undo burden. With the way the Wild are situated in the league's Western Conference, time-zone travel is at its worst and this just adds to that pile. I am all for exposure for the NHL, even globally, but this is another example of how this league misses the mark. The league has attendance issues and lagging franchises in terms of revenue, and a 'North American' type tour may be a more appropriate way of exposing the NHL in areas that could really make a difference. In terms of hitting the road overseas, this will be a first-time experience for the Wild but will mark the third time an NHL team from Minnesota crossed the ocean. The Minnesota North Stars embarked on a round-robin exhibition series with the Washington Capitals in Sweden in 1980. That tournament, which included Swedish club teams AIK and Djurgarden, was sponsored by a Swedish newspaper, which ponied up a $28,000 prize for the winner. And more recently in 1990, the North Stars traveled to the Soviet Union with the Montreal Canadiens, where the two teams played a combined 8-game exhibition schedule against Soviet national league teams. In-sync suspensions Just a follow-up...Two Wild prospects were disciplined this week for actions stemming from illegal hits that occured on the same night. Val-d’Or Foreurs defenseman Marco Scandella was suspended 15 games by the QMJHL for his 'hit to the head' and Houston Aeros forward Colon Gillies was given a major and game misconduct for boarding, which resulted in a 2-game suspension from the AHL. Both games were played on February 3rd.</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/02/killer-clause.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFK95wgQjwA9AbgObmxn2GdxijKzg4-AKX9PoWzDI-hA_abJIqXluc0fns9omgSnuW3Jg0j6vuiyqa1HDKbpH1hTGWSejgWAyZMTx9I-yd3u1fN-q7Zi-m-jit7fdyoiN1AXYIJrkL6Gk/s72-c/wildnews10.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-7811356073735119812</guid><pubDate>Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:46:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-02-04T17:11:30.754-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Marco Scandella</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><title>Headshot results in Scandella suspension</title><description>Minnesota Wild prospect and current Val-d’Or Foreurs defenseman Marco Scandella has been suspended indefinitely by the QMJHL for what the league termed a 'violent headshot'. Scandella delivered an apparent elbow to the head of a Rimouski Oceanic forward Alexandre Durette, causing his visor to shatter into pieces and leaving him with cuts to his face. Scandella was acquired by the Wild in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, where Minnesota selected him in the second round (55th overall). He currently has 31 (9 goals, 22 assists) points in 31 games for his junior club and is coming off a very impressive run with Team Canada in the World Junior Championships. "After seeing the hit, I believe it is the right decision while the disciplinary process runs its course. Our position is clear: We have a responsibility to protect our players. Their safety is our No. 1 priority,” QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau said in a press release. In the report to the league, Rimouski officials cited a similar hit that resulted in a season-long suspension that was handed out earlier this season. Stay tuned as the process now heads to a person entitled the Disciplinary Prefect, which will be in charge of collecting the testimonies of the on-ice officials, the players and of members of both organizations. The Disciplinary Prefect will then analyze the facts and review his findings with the Disciplinary Sanctions Committee before making a decision.</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/02/its-not-just-in-nhl.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-1340271041402633423</guid><pubDate>Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:21:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-02-03T18:21:08.902-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Cal Clutterbuck</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Chuck Fletcher</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Niklas Backstrom</category><title>Last opportunity knocking</title><description><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoM5M0jZId0PueUu2TsCNDJBvNC6FFdtuqa4rwsjH3EFDlWdpCJOxDyxkOgyx0AIMdpZYVkyWuxpYP2J5n2SxU5rN2arAvelcjiJ1EifuzJODXG_s9ByhCmwYiFPaEH_xnybPNVMjAT8/s1600-h/wildnews10.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 55px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoM5M0jZId0PueUu2TsCNDJBvNC6FFdtuqa4rwsjH3EFDlWdpCJOxDyxkOgyx0AIMdpZYVkyWuxpYP2J5n2SxU5rN2arAvelcjiJ1EifuzJODXG_s9ByhCmwYiFPaEH_xnybPNVMjAT8/s320/wildnews10.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434162996015279170" border="0" /></a> It seems real simple to me and the opportunity is there to grab, staring the Minnesota Wild squarely in their faces. Win 4 of 5 during this pre-Olympic break 5-game home-stand and the teams already thin playoff hopes will still be alive, although thin they will still be. Anything less than 8 out of 10 points, and I think it is safe to say that it is over for this season. After the loss to the Dallas Stars last night, Minnesota is 6 points out of contention for the 8th and final Western Conference playoff spot and as has been the case for about two months, points are at a premium. After the XXI Winter Olympics have concluded, the NHL schedule for the remainder of the season is a jam-packed event, with the Wild seeing three 4-game weeks in a row, virtually right after the break. So there is opportunity there to gain some ground but only if there were a long winning streak to go along with earning those pre-Olympic 8 points. If only the team was not employing one sick goaltender and one with an injury... Kurtz &amp; Reid I did not see the game against the Stars because I am a DirecTV subscriber (but I am still enjoying my free SportsPack and CenterIce package), but instead had the privilege of listening to a good portion of the game on the Wild's radio flagship station, WCCO. I say privilege because of play-by-play man Bob Kurtz and analyst Tom Reid, two of the best in the league. There was an interesting exchange between Krutz and Reid during the game that arose from Stars agitator Steve Ott jumping Minnesota's Cal Clutterbuck after Clutterbuck leveled a clean hit on Dallas forward Brad Richards. What followed was some serious referee bashing from the broadcasters, who were both obviously irritated and incensed that there was no 'instigator' call from the officials. Now ordinarily this pair of Wild radio personalities are pretty tame and easy going when it comes to the way the game is being officiated. Don't get me wrong, they call it like they see it, but that usually does not include calling the referee 'gutless' for a non-call. Great to hear... Buyers or sellers? If you can answer this, you are jumping the gun. The fact is that Wild GM Chuck Fletcher does even know yet which road to pursue. The team is still teetering on the playoff edge but after this five gamer has been concluded, the picture should be more clear as to which side the team is going to fall on. The reason I broach this subject is that yesterday I heard an interesting scenario that has not really crossed my mind this season, especially since the 4-year, $24 million deal was reached only last March with goaltender Niklas Backstrom. But the idea was that Backstrom is probably the top player on this team in terms of getting the most in return in a trade, something I do agree with. Now I am not suggesting that the Wild management should go this route, but it could bring up some interesting deals if Backstrom was to be added to the list of players available. First and foremost he would have to waive his 'no-trade' clause, which would most likely take some serious coaxing. But if he were to do that, and the Wild were looking to move him, imagine what he would bring in. Keep in mind that Backstrom is fast approaching 32 years old (February 13th), and it was not like he was a true freshman rookie when he first signed as a free agent back in 2006, as he had several professional seasons in Finland on his resume. The Hockey Lodge, Burnsville style Being from the 'south metro', this really got me going... <div style="text-align: justify;"></div><blockquote>The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Minnesota Wild announced today that the team will open a new Hockey Lodge store in the Burnsville Center on Friday, Feb. 5. The new Hockey Lodge store will be located on the upper level of Burnsville Center (location 2017) next to Dick’s Sporting Goods. “We are excited to open a Hockey Lodge location in the south metro area at the Burnsville Center,” said Director of Retail Operations Matt Freiberg. “This marks the first time in team history we will have three full-time, year-around Hockey Lodge stores operating in the Twin Cities.” The 2,184 square foot store will feature a full selection of Wild team merchandise including jerseys, apparel and headwear for all ages, novelty accessories, collectible and player used and autographed items. The store will also carry Minnesota Swarm, Minnesota North Stars and Minnesota Fighting Saints jerseys, apparel, headwear and novelty items. Burnsville Center is located at the intersection of 35W and 35E at County Road 42 in Burnsville. The Hockey Lodge at Burnsville Center is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The store’s phone number is (952) 435-7170. Hockey Lodge stores are also located at Maplewood Mall and Xcel Energy Center. The new Burnsville Center Hockey Lodge store replaces The Mall of America store location that closed on Dec. 27, 2009.<div style="text-align: justify;"></div></blockquote>ZetaBoards...forum upgrade I have kept my old forum going for several years, since the fall of 2005 to be exact, and they have so far served me well. But the time had come to 'upgrade' the old IPB software to what has being offered, ZetaBoards. The host that houses my forum introduced this new format just over a year ago and I recently made the transition with my forums. Along with the slight cosmetic changes you will see, there are a ton of new features that are great to have and you will find that all of the original topics and members made the transition. And if you are not yet signed up, it is easy and painless...and I would really enjoy posting to someone other than myself! Check out our 'new' <a href="http://s14.zetaboards.com/WildPuck/index/">Wild-Puck Forum</a>.</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/02/last-opportunity-knocking.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoM5M0jZId0PueUu2TsCNDJBvNC6FFdtuqa4rwsjH3EFDlWdpCJOxDyxkOgyx0AIMdpZYVkyWuxpYP2J5n2SxU5rN2arAvelcjiJ1EifuzJODXG_s9ByhCmwYiFPaEH_xnybPNVMjAT8/s72-c/wildnews10.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-2059446452275439871</guid><pubDate>Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:45:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-01-22T12:53:44.218-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Brent Burns</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">M11</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Mark Messier</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">The Messier Project</category><title>Interesting & believing only goes so far</title><description><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjEELDpqcufc4DHtwVb7bCHQfLHPS8F7NOGDKrPOvHGyo4TYlcSzO8T0vS5VqUWnVmzYM7iyZVnZ1B71jY7-06ii44AwsQoUnxniAWfzcu_J9eUhE0dVfScQEwBwm9vZt2ZdEGh8662c/s1600-h/wildnews10.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429628858885477570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjEELDpqcufc4DHtwVb7bCHQfLHPS8F7NOGDKrPOvHGyo4TYlcSzO8T0vS5VqUWnVmzYM7iyZVnZ1B71jY7-06ii44AwsQoUnxniAWfzcu_J9eUhE0dVfScQEwBwm9vZt2ZdEGh8662c/s320/wildnews10.png" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 55px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 80px;" /></a>
Wild television color analyst Mike Greenlay commented to rink reporter Brad Bombardir after the Wild scored a goal in the final period to pull within one of the Detroit Red Wings was that this Minnesota Wild team knows how to make things interesting. Then after tying the score seconds later, Greenlay said that "it's a team that believes". While these two adjectives are so very true when describing the Wild, they are unfortunately, two phrases that have not produced consistent winning results. Simply put, they are not finishing the job. Yes, the Wild have become the 'comeback kids on ice' but they don't have much to show for it. Clawing their way back into games, only have the team lose that really close game is not helping out in the standings. These games are labeled premium games as far as the ticket office folks within the organization are concerned, but are also premium ones to the team in terms of the standings. And they have been unsuccessful in climbing that ladder.
 
Minnesota has given up the games opening goal in 34 of their 51 games played to date. The teams record stands at 12-19-3 when their opponent nets the games first goal, which is second worse in the NHL. If you consider that when the Wild score first they are 12-4-1, it is not hard to figure out one thing that this team needs to win games. And their lapses in the early parts of games does not necessarily seem to be isolated to road-play, as at home they have had their share of giving up the games first goal. Another interesting take is that Minnesota has the leagues most one-goal games with 30. Their record stands at 17-9-4 in those games but their winning percentage really drops off when the games end in 2 and 3 goal separation.
 
The results of the Wilds comeback against the Red Wings last night was another loss, this time in a shootout. Minnesota earned the 'freebie' but made no movement in the standings...and this trend is getting old fast. Currently the Wild have earned 52 points, 6 points out of the final playoff spot that is held by...Detroit. 
 
M11 makes appearance&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAN-RRHD_joOIW2K0sd_KAIEAeBiyebML1Ix4IxZ7dMYkZ10SMH_-UsYDde6lLz4Toi_wLpP4lFrDwDI_DztF906k64KGnVxJWJohWlkayHFQuWSNRODt0tYBohKm2DurgM6G0XXfEvg/s1600-h/m11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAN-RRHD_joOIW2K0sd_KAIEAeBiyebML1Ix4IxZ7dMYkZ10SMH_-UsYDde6lLz4Toi_wLpP4lFrDwDI_DztF906k64KGnVxJWJohWlkayHFQuWSNRODt0tYBohKm2DurgM6G0XXfEvg/s320/m11.jpg" /></a>Brent Burns, who has been missing in action for much of this season, and also a good chunk last season as well, made his return to the Wild lineup tonight after being sidelined with a concussion. It may have been a bit of a surprise because all reports indicated that he had only 2 practices with the team since he was cleared to resume full workouts. And along with the return of Burns was the Wild debut of the new M11 helmet, a joint venture in head-wear protection, known as the Messier Project, between Mark Messier and Cascade Sports. The new helmet was specifically designed with the concussion epidemic, as it is referred to on the official Messier Project website, in mind. The technology behind the project centers around a 'new liner system' that is geared more towards absorbing more of an impact within its design.
 
It is good to see Burns back...and one hopes that if these new helmets help the concussion problems that have plagued many NHL players this season, we will see many more donning the M11. 
 
<a href="http://www.themessierproject.com/" target="new">Check out the Messier Project</a>.</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/01/m11-makes-appearance.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjEELDpqcufc4DHtwVb7bCHQfLHPS8F7NOGDKrPOvHGyo4TYlcSzO8T0vS5VqUWnVmzYM7iyZVnZ1B71jY7-06ii44AwsQoUnxniAWfzcu_J9eUhE0dVfScQEwBwm9vZt2ZdEGh8662c/s72-c/wildnews10.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>1</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-4773291656275591776</guid><pubDate>Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:32:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-01-21T15:00:57.087-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Todd Bertuzzi</category><title>Red Wings, Bertuzzi, in town</title><description><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkL2RXSbd3C0VCbMfv10sQE3Au_xeQxX77BdrJsVJ85AoEk-A-A1Co_febryV__8dexNpbMqacQhq8FoxQgLKj6zSwnPll0t5gNGHM6xrpdW5MGN19gE7zK7aXJ4xoXRar2QAjDWIaFCg/s1600-h/bertuzzi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkL2RXSbd3C0VCbMfv10sQE3Au_xeQxX77BdrJsVJ85AoEk-A-A1Co_febryV__8dexNpbMqacQhq8FoxQgLKj6zSwnPll0t5gNGHM6xrpdW5MGN19gE7zK7aXJ4xoXRar2QAjDWIaFCg/s320/bertuzzi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429285540808551826" border="0" /></a>It is perhaps the ugliest on-ice incident that the NHL has ever seen. In fact, becasue of the severity of the whole thing, it was not only dealt with by the league in the form of an indefinite suspension that lasted a full season (the lockout season), but the British Columbia Ministry of the Attorney General also got involved and charged the aggressor with assault causing bodily harm. The play consisted of a blind-sided sucker punch to the head, followed by a tackle from behind. The results and injuries to Steve Moore, the unfortunate Colorado Avalanche player who was on the receiving end, were three fractured vertebrae in his neck, a grade three concussion, vertebral ligament damage, stretching of the brachial plexus nerves, and facial cuts. To this day, Moore has never been medically cleared to play. The player who dished out this punishment was Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi, who along with his suspension, lost close to $1 million in salary and endorsements. Although Bertuzzi's suspension coincided with the 2004-2005 lockout season, the IIHF was on board with the NHL, which meant that he could not play in Europe during the NHL's canceled season. Bertuzzi was given one year of probation by the Canadian court after reaching a plea agreement, and he is still entangled in a couple of civil suites over the incident. Now the point of this re-hash is not to center on this particular black-mark to the NHL...but I find it interesting how and why professional athletes are able to bounce back from incidents that would ordinarily end someones career. In the real world, the display mentioned above most certainly would have ended with jail time and a new line of work for most. But time and time again, what happens on the ice, field, or court, seems to play out with a set of rules that differ from the general public. Now not all pro's 'skate' after finding trouble and I am not suggesting that courts and lawyers be involved in what happens during games. But I find our priorities and how we hold our players and games interesting. Our society places some professional athletes on a higher level than other athletes and certainly higher than your average joe. Just because someone can skate fast, throw far, or shoot with pinpoint accuracy, they are not necessarily given a pass (although they sometimes are), but are looked upon different when there is controversy and trouble that surrounds them, simply because of who they are. It is a forgive and forget mentality. Now I have no problem with the forgive part and there comes a point in time when you have served your time and paid for your discretion's...but I cannot forget. And I cannot cheer and revel in someones accomplishments when their history tells a story such as the one that was written by Burtuzzi during that game in March of 2004. I am not going to debate the sincerity of Bertuzzi's very public apology to Moore and his family, Brian Burke (the Canucks GM), Canucks owner John McCaw, Jr., the Canucks organization, his teammates, and the fans. I happen to believe his apology and think he was truly sorry for his bone-headed play. But that does not mean he should have been allowed back on the ice. Todd is probably a great guy and I feel sorry for what happened, to him and especially Moore, but I would not have allowed him back in the NHL, period. It was a very unfortunate incident but my punishment would have been a life-time ban.</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/01/red-wings-bertuzzi-in-town.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkL2RXSbd3C0VCbMfv10sQE3Au_xeQxX77BdrJsVJ85AoEk-A-A1Co_febryV__8dexNpbMqacQhq8FoxQgLKj6zSwnPll0t5gNGHM6xrpdW5MGN19gE7zK7aXJ4xoXRar2QAjDWIaFCg/s72-c/bertuzzi.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-5501637295981544269</guid><pubDate>Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:25:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-01-21T13:26:54.052-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Wild Skills Competition</category><title>From my inbox...</title><description><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iccoNPhO3HgvonbdOZ8hcOGkbjbSx6UBhlHr2bo-GAx6J2R8zNDKSUJTrf-mjvmy-ktdG1-lKv36iKjsujAgr1smz-o-v84WviX_TkRpZQ2SigvBYop4RWQ9U97EG0LvULjW8-mLRns/s1600-h/quote1.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 50px; height: 38px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iccoNPhO3HgvonbdOZ8hcOGkbjbSx6UBhlHr2bo-GAx6J2R8zNDKSUJTrf-mjvmy-ktdG1-lKv36iKjsujAgr1smz-o-v84WviX_TkRpZQ2SigvBYop4RWQ9U97EG0LvULjW8-mLRns/s320/quote1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429003710270588498" border="0" /></a> <blockquote> 2010 Wild Skills Competition The 2010 Minnesota Wild Skills Competition presented by Treasure Island Resort and Casino will be held Sunday, Jan. 24 at Xcel Energy Center starting at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are on sale now at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations. General admission tickets are $10.00 in advance or $15.00 if purchased on Jan. 24. Proceeds will benefit the Minnesota Wild Foundation. 2010 Wild Skills Competition Schedule Of Events <ul><li>10:00 AM: Gustavus vs. Saint John’s Men’s Hockey Game </li><li>10:30 – 11:30 AM: Wild Player Autographs </li><li>10:00 AM – 2:30 PM: Photo opportunities with Stanley Cup, Hockey Fun Zone, Silent Auction and Raffle </li><li>1:00 – 2:30 PM: Wild Skills Competition </li></ul>Minnesota Wild players will be situated at different autograph stations and sign autographs beginning at 10:30 a.m. A $10 autograph ticket must be purchased at each autograph station. Autograph tickets will be distributed to the first 250 fans in line at each station only. Skills Competition events will include: Accuracy Shooting, Hardest Shot, King of the Shootout, Puck Control Relay and Rapid Fire. All fans in attendance will also be able to participate in interactive hockey games, photo opportunities with the Stanley Cup, a silent auction, raffle and grab bags featuring Wild autographed merchandise. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mc5Uj5D5TFuxJRzW6BevRsEGfBQ-9HfAyE0ks3k1WwBoF10jWuLEF0wLWzdBJo090bkJ-7k7zkit7aKp0LMe_PEhrQzzGBDBsNDtylMZTlWtOXRAagtZ_8KbCA0_XWYNjpRydCzoW2w/s1600-h/quote.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mc5Uj5D5TFuxJRzW6BevRsEGfBQ-9HfAyE0ks3k1WwBoF10jWuLEF0wLWzdBJo090bkJ-7k7zkit7aKp0LMe_PEhrQzzGBDBsNDtylMZTlWtOXRAagtZ_8KbCA0_XWYNjpRydCzoW2w/s320/quote.png" border="0" /></a></div> </blockquote></description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/01/from-my-inbox.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iccoNPhO3HgvonbdOZ8hcOGkbjbSx6UBhlHr2bo-GAx6J2R8zNDKSUJTrf-mjvmy-ktdG1-lKv36iKjsujAgr1smz-o-v84WviX_TkRpZQ2SigvBYop4RWQ9U97EG0LvULjW8-mLRns/s72-c/quote1.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-1347089415254062250</guid><pubDate>Sun, 17 Jan 2010 04:59:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-01-17T08:53:35.994-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">benoit pouliot</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Guillaume Latendresse</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><title>Opening goal a killer</title><description><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehPhaSm0FDGJ_C1VeRNH3xN2CWj8xrsbux2f00YxGQkAD89fvgbsmjXyF0VWLK4bLHGA8dALhkk6gesIUMcgl2lz0ZoAxdsA0lK36dY4jIvaxoNptpOPjS1s87sCS9rKHmTRtREGyVE8/s1600-h/wildnews10.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 55px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehPhaSm0FDGJ_C1VeRNH3xN2CWj8xrsbux2f00YxGQkAD89fvgbsmjXyF0VWLK4bLHGA8dALhkk6gesIUMcgl2lz0ZoAxdsA0lK36dY4jIvaxoNptpOPjS1s87sCS9rKHmTRtREGyVE8/s320/wildnews10.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427586747730087250" border="0" /></a> This team has been given a few words and phrases of praise this season by the players themselves, the coaches, and even the media. Resilient, persistent, and a team that never gives up is what has been used to describe the way this Minnesota Wild team plays. Ordinarily, it would be no problem describing a team this way because these are all traits that are needed to be successful...except that putting this description in context for this Wild team means that they seem to always be playing from behind and are having to always fight and claw their way back into a game. Now, while it is true that when you are consistently playing from behind, it is imperative that you fight your way back. The alternative is to finish the game by simply just going through the motions with the hope of keeping it close and avoid a blowout. The problem is that playing from behind this often is a formula that is not working. It may have worked to a certain degree during parts of the season, but it is clear that it is catching up to Minnesota and the time has come to question why they find it so hard to play with this fight and urgency from the get-go. The Wild have surrendered the opening goal in 32 out of 49 games played to date. And looking back at some of the comments coming out of the locker-room and from the coaching staff after a comeback game, one would come away thinking that all is well when falling behind early and first. However, Minnesota has a record of 12-18-2 when their opponents score first. On the flip side, when the Wild net the games opening goal, they are a much improved 12-4-1. The conclusion of scoring first as opposed to the opponent scoring first and comparing these contrasting records is simple...playing from behind is not working for this team. Yes, it was nice to make that huge and unimaginable comeback against the Blackhawks, when the team rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the final period only to net the tying goal late in the game and eventually win in a shootout. And in almost a repeat performance, the Wild nearly made another remarkable comeback against the Coyotes, but instead found the 4-goal deficit too much to recover from, although they fought back and saw the game come as close as 5-4 before finally losing 6-4. The time has come to put away these nice words and phrases and start calling it like it is. Although it is nice to have a team that can pull itself together when trailing, it is better to have a team pounce from the opening faceoff and hold the lead. Remember the early Lemaire teams when this franchise was known for getting a lead and holding on to it? The Wild were almost unbeatable when leading after 1 period and were unbeatable when up after 2 periods. This current team has a mold of being able to open up the game, with the thought of being able to make its way back when down, whereas our previous team would batten-down the hatches after scoring first. And so far, the later is what works best, because not only is the team missing points because of their early let-downs, as the season keeps going, it is going to be harder and harder to make their comeback. A few days ago the Wild were 2 points out of the final playoff position in the Western Conference. After tonight's loss to the Coyotes, the team finds itself 5 points out. A look back To date, the Wild are 24-22-3 after 49 games, good for 51 points and 5 out of a playoff spot. Last season, the team was 25-21-3 at the same point in the season, sitting in the 7th spot in the Western Conference with 53 points. The hottest move to date There is no question that GM Fletcher's best move to date was to bring in Guillaume Latendresse for Benoit Pouliot. Keep in mind that under our new front office, Martin Havlat and Petr Sykora are two players who are newcomers as well. Before Latendresse came to Minnesota, he recorded 3 points in 23 games for the Canadiens. But since joining the Wild, he has netted 13 goals and 6 helpers for an encouraging 19 points in 24 games. This includes a 4-point night last week against the Penguins and his first career hat-trick against the Coyotes tonight. He has also had 5 multi-point games since coming from the Habs is has picked up 12 points in his last 7 games.</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/01/opening-goal-killer.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehPhaSm0FDGJ_C1VeRNH3xN2CWj8xrsbux2f00YxGQkAD89fvgbsmjXyF0VWLK4bLHGA8dALhkk6gesIUMcgl2lz0ZoAxdsA0lK36dY4jIvaxoNptpOPjS1s87sCS9rKHmTRtREGyVE8/s72-c/wildnews10.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-1868829243113065705</guid><pubDate>Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:42:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-01-15T13:52:13.207-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><title>The big rig rolls on home ice</title><description><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAeC91f8QsVxPaMwZ_hsjGElAvZrEPtO2Cgv8DVPfTMNIPHSERs81varEiXKKh7bKvNOYtuc4_ZU5FUTn90KdsxSMTOaenHRofDE0CtRaXVuVdiiKH6nLrl5Ux2LYUHK9E1l8_jedgoE/s1600-h/wildnews10.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAeC91f8QsVxPaMwZ_hsjGElAvZrEPtO2Cgv8DVPfTMNIPHSERs81varEiXKKh7bKvNOYtuc4_ZU5FUTn90KdsxSMTOaenHRofDE0CtRaXVuVdiiKH6nLrl5Ux2LYUHK9E1l8_jedgoE/s320/wildnews10.png" border="0" /></a>This is one fan that did not see it coming and apparently there are a few teams in the National Hockey League that have been caught off-guard as well. The hole that was dug by the Minnesota Wild early in the season seemed way too deep to motor out of, but it seems as if the team that should be known as the 'big rig' has not only surfaced, but has also left a few victims on the ice at the X. If ever there was a team that has perfected the art of the on-ice hit-and-run, the Wild is that team. They come out of nowhere, strike hard, and are long gone before you realize what has happened. This big Minnesota rig began its steamrolling ways during its most recent home-stand, exiting with a perfect 4-0 record. But stating the obvious and searching no further than the record would be selling the team short. The only way to give this accomplishment its due justice would be to take a deeper look into the manner in which it was done. The games ranged from perfecting their style of play that has electrified the X crowd to faltering at times during games, only to mount unimaginable comebacks. In the process, Minnesota, which is again one of the hottest teams in the league, discarded two of the top teams in the Northwest Division, rallied from a huge third period deficit to defeat the top team in the league, and in the end, out-paced last seasons Stanley Cup Champions. Minnesota started the roll by defeating the Calgary Flames 4-1 in what was perhaps their best all-around team effort in over a month. Top to bottom, everybody on the roster played solid. The next game had the same results for the team, 2 points earned, but followed a path much different. Down 5-1 in the final period, the Wild made an unbelievable comeback, scoring 3 goals in a span of just over 2 minutes and added one with under 2 minutes left, and took the game into overtime and a shootout, where they outlasted the Hawks in 8 rounds. It was the largest comeback in franchise history and one that had not been done league wide for a couple of seasons. The next victim to come to town were the reigning league champions, and along with it, Sid the Kid. Fortunately for Wild fans, it was the home-town teams newest addition who was the better player, as Guillaume Latendresse netted 4-points on a goal and 3 assists, and led Minnesota to a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Finally, it was the hated Vancouver Canucks standing in the way of the Big Rig...and they too fell victims of the hit-and-run, both figuratively and literally. The Wild , despite taking the middle period off, managed 3 third period goals and claimed the teams first four-game home winning streak of the season. However, it was the punishing punches by big John Scott to the head of Alexandre Bolduc during a fight in the final period that really capped the big rig's 4-game home-stand. The end results of this out-of-control steamrolling team, once thought of as league bottom dwellers, are 2 points, as in only 2 points out of the Western Conference playoff picture. Alumni needed for change Of the 4 major league sport organizations, the NHL has always been and continues to be the one lagging behind the others in public relations and exposure. There are times when it is almost as if we are cheering for a 'B' league, much like in the motion picture industry, upon releasing a box-office flop, immediately sends the movie to DVD. Fortunately for NHL fans, in spite of the bone-headed decisions and lack of action by the top brass, we are still able to see games live. But in the future, if things continue to head south the way I believe it is going, we may have to visit our nearest rental store in order to see a game. Soccer we are not, but if you take a step back and examine how the NHL operates, one might consider this league on par with the many failed 'football' leagues of this country. Positive publicity and exposure is what is craved by the NHL. But instead, the league continues to lick their wounds because of what comes down from the top, as in the commissioners office. Bad decisions and lack of action is what is killing this league. The latest 'catch phrase' seems to be the 'head-shot', or hits to the head. Players are dropping at record rates this season because of concussion problems, yet the league continues to ignore the issue. If they are not turning a blind eye, they are sweeping it under the rug, to use a couple of phrases that do fit accordingly. And nobody is doing anything about it. The leaders say all of the right things, but then turn around and dismiss an obvious intent to injure play with no significant or meaningful penalty. The General Managers meet but fail year after year to come out of their retreats with any real solutions. The players vent and spew about change but still, nothing gets done. It is as if the 'head-shots' have worked their way into the game and have taken such a stronghold that ridding the game of them may be as difficult as eliminating fighting. The solution is really simple. Because of the lack of action by anybody and everybody involved, it is time for the NHL alumni to get involved. Fans need ex-players such as Jeremy Roenick, Brett Hull, &amp; Chris Chelios to stand up...the time has come to start a campaign to eliminate the most cowardly and dirty play in the game, the play that is ruining the game. It is unfortunate that two of the top executives running the league (Gary Bettman &amp; Colin Campbell) are not fit to run a lemonade stand on the street corner...let alone the NHL. Hockey day Minnesota <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyUIP22JxZ4VpfeGoWtVTFpmp2xdyl8oAozurLdos95N3KW63bT-nVr8kKHzh9AhUFvti_PqoxdNjKxKjO5p6j79M0nRMVXwrDdmB6smWQMmj9DsEGsy79U7g7w5hklbf1pIYM3w5_58/s1600-h/hockeydaymn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyUIP22JxZ4VpfeGoWtVTFpmp2xdyl8oAozurLdos95N3KW63bT-nVr8kKHzh9AhUFvti_PqoxdNjKxKjO5p6j79M0nRMVXwrDdmB6smWQMmj9DsEGsy79U7g7w5hklbf1pIYM3w5_58/s200/hockeydaymn.jpg" border="0" /></a>To the right you will find the complete schedule for our state hockey day that will take place on January 23. It is a one-of-a-kind event that is very unique to our state and one that shows that this truly is the State of Hockey. You can read the complete release by clicking <a href="http://z14.invisionfree.com/WildPuck/index.php?showtopic=957">here</a>. Most useless stat I heard it uttered again during last nights game against the Canucks by Wild play-by-play guy Dan Terhaar...and I fail to see any significance to the stat and numbers whatsoever. The Wild are 5-3-1 in the first game of back-to-back games. And what is the significance of that stat? There was no mention of the teams record in the second game of back-to-back games, although I don't think that stat serves much use either and is over-used and anylized. The fact is that all teams are in the same boat as far as playing back-to-back games at home, on the road, or a home-road split.</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/01/big-rig-rolls-on-home-ice.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAeC91f8QsVxPaMwZ_hsjGElAvZrEPtO2Cgv8DVPfTMNIPHSERs81varEiXKKh7bKvNOYtuc4_ZU5FUTn90KdsxSMTOaenHRofDE0CtRaXVuVdiiKH6nLrl5Ux2LYUHK9E1l8_jedgoE/s72-c/wildnews10.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-3719708130339338977</guid><pubDate>Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:25:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-01-10T02:01:45.044-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><title>Distant notes...</title><description><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfwhuv6lDwr6iQWprNp1PrlSfc9eoPTdlXbzJKpkyWxx7gEYxVxNIYUNeuyI1YWDEB5itk0qn6WvTE20WUZ9NLW1FVez4UJ_gjyEw_FcDsukM1WvcnHYUoXsGeBLmTjchtPsZwE3ZQ3Q/s1600-h/winter80olympic.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 113px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfwhuv6lDwr6iQWprNp1PrlSfc9eoPTdlXbzJKpkyWxx7gEYxVxNIYUNeuyI1YWDEB5itk0qn6WvTE20WUZ9NLW1FVez4UJ_gjyEw_FcDsukM1WvcnHYUoXsGeBLmTjchtPsZwE3ZQ3Q/s320/winter80olympic.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424840238487384290" border="0" /></a> Let the amateur's play I take on perhaps a throwback attitude on this issue. It's not that I don't like the event or seeing the greatest athletes in the sport of hockey compete, it something else. Possibly it is a sense that I get that makes the event less pure with professionals involved. But for whatever reasons, the events that unfolded in February of 1980 will undoubtedly go down as my most memorable sporting event ever witnessed. And because of that Miracle On Ice, it has forever shaped my view on how the Winter Olympic hockey events have played out ever since. My opinion is simple...when the NHL suspended its league games to allow players to play for their respective countries in 1998, the change tainted my view of the event. But then again, my Winter Olympics viewing is more highlighted by events rarely seen without these games, including the bobsled, super giant slalom, and even the ski jumping. True, one of my true passions is hockey. But seeing a country-sided event that includes mostly NHL stars, it seems to me to be better suited for some kind of World Junior Tournament, without the 'Junior' that is separate from the Olympic Games. It did not matter that I did not see the games in person, or even on live television for that matter. The fact that most people knew the final scores of the games played by the US squad before watching them on tape-delayed television was irrelevant. It just happened to be that at this time in history, the team and its games took on a greater meaning, one that will probably never be repeated. It was like the perfect storm. I was a pee-wee at the time of the XIII Olympic Winter Games, as they were called, so the outside events of the world were not on my radar. The fact that the team was coached by our own Herb Brooks, a legend in our state, may have played a role in my interest. But even more intriguing to me was the fact that my own Golden Gophers had a hand in the teams success, as the Olympic hockey team had 9 maroon and gold players rostered, not to mention the 3 additional native Minnesotans. It made it feel as if the team and all of its glory was a Minnesota thing, rather than that of the whole country. Most of all though, I was one of those rink-rats who soaked up the game wherever and whenever I could and I was aware of what the Olympics were. I certainly love the NHL product. It employs the best hockey players in the world and one could make an argument that it also showcases the best athletes in the world. That is a different subject, but one quick example: most can throw and catch a baseball, but can they shoot a puck at full speed while being checked into the boards? Anyway, the NHL, although has miles of room for improvements, is the best hockey league in the world. The fact is that the product does not get any better when you have all of that talent on one sheet of ice. Still, to me it is just another tournament, instead of the great event that it once was. No, I am not anti-patriotic and that has no place in my thoughts. I stand behind Old Glory just as much as the next American. For you Minnesotans, you will understand this analogy...but I liken it to the move by MSHL to add separate classes to the State Hockey Tournament. The circumstances and particulars are different in this comparison, but the results are the same. The tournament simply takes on a different meaning. There is no mistaking the fact that the Olympics in general is a new beast compared to what it once was. It has become the 'cash-cow' starter for many athletes and is no longer an amateur event, for hockey or any other sport. You can thank the American media for that. I guess that is OK but to many including myself, the games are not seen in the same 'purity' as they once were, and as I believe, they should be. As for hockey, I do not blame the players or the NHL. In fact, I commend them for their willingness to risk their careers in order to play for their country. And I will always back the league when it comes to promoting itself and the game because they don't always do this in the best light. I do wonder to myself however, how much the NHL games suffer in Olympic years because of the condensed schedules and league shut-down. But these are secondary issues to date, because we have the current system in place. The future agreements between the league and NHLPA will dictate whether or not that continues. If I had my way, I would let the amateurs play...in the same way that I would recruit stability &amp; integrity over skill if I were coaching a college team (insert Gophers basketball and/or football). In the end, I would be willing to sacrifice wins with the outside chance of pulling off an upset, rather than possibly jeopardizing the integrity and spirit of the Olympic Games. Never on time The Minnesota Wild have a nasty habit this season of giving up the games opening goal more often than not...to tune that translates into a .357 winning percentage, by NHL standards, when they surrender the games first goal. When Minnesota manages to score the first goal of a game, something that has happened in 16 games, they have found success and have posted a 11-4-1 record. But the norm has been for the Wild to play catch-up and has allowed its opponent to take the lead in 28 games out of 44 played to date. And in those 28 games, a 10-16-2 record is what they have to show for being tardy. Falling behind in a game should not come as easily as it does for any hockey team. One would expect a something close to a 50-50 split between taking and giving up the games first goal, which historically has been the case with the Wild. So, if one compares this to the average working Joe (or Jane), you could come to the conclusion that the players wearing the Minnesota uniform this season have a problem with starting work on time. That's right, plain and simple, this team is made up of a bunch of players who punch in late. There can be no other explanation because surely a team cannot justify falling behind in over 63% of their games any way other than to say that they did not show up and start working when they were supposed to. In the real world, an employee who is late for work over half of their scheduled time, a pink slip is usually forwarded to them. Message boards now open That is right, the new and improved Wild-Puck forum is now accepting new members. Truth be told, the forum is not new, but does have one of the easiest and best formats out there...so dive on in and take a peek. I promise that the registration process is painless and simple and everything you see and read is family friendly. By registering and participating you can help start great Wild, NHL, or off-topic discussions. You can find all of the official releases as well as new information on our minor league club, the Houston Aeros. And if your into amateur hockey, high school and such, you can get start topics there discussing your favorite team. On a personal note...and I am not into begging but I am getting desperate...and really tired of posting to myself, so please give our boards a try! <a href="http://z14.invisionfree.com/WildPuck/index.php?act=idx">Wild-Puck [Minnesota Wild Message Boards]</a></description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/01/distant-notes.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfwhuv6lDwr6iQWprNp1PrlSfc9eoPTdlXbzJKpkyWxx7gEYxVxNIYUNeuyI1YWDEB5itk0qn6WvTE20WUZ9NLW1FVez4UJ_gjyEw_FcDsukM1WvcnHYUoXsGeBLmTjchtPsZwE3ZQ3Q/s72-c/winter80olympic.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-8676132051414573005</guid><pubDate>Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:57:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-01-03T19:21:23.951-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Jamie Langenbrunner</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Martin Brodeur</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Mikko Koivu</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><title>The consolation prize</title><description><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UOwn4t7v1UJv7urixXZckXzCydKUBWZmopzJU_hFCAfwRVWvjyVMx64l6ovWJZCB-49bpRMtHl139FfUWZtZNZfNmcX-4-iy0f1A0NVx-sVYHLG8FnS7nCsOYqo1SZxc9iXscqiwwxI/s1600-h/wildnews10.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 55px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UOwn4t7v1UJv7urixXZckXzCydKUBWZmopzJU_hFCAfwRVWvjyVMx64l6ovWJZCB-49bpRMtHl139FfUWZtZNZfNmcX-4-iy0f1A0NVx-sVYHLG8FnS7nCsOYqo1SZxc9iXscqiwwxI/s320/wildnews10.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422662188195407650" border="0" /></a> That was a well played games last night, and the Minnesota Wild should have earned the 2 points against the Devils...except that the team from the East had their ace in net and he was his usual self, spectacular. Goaltender Martin Brodeur was the difference and pulled one out for the top team in the Eastern Conference. However, if there is a silver lining to the loss last night, it is in the form of the 33.7 points I earned...fantasy points that is. Two NHLer's in last nights game accumulated almost half of the total points I earned and made it a very good night for the Midwest Checkers. Devils Captain Jamie Langenbrunner, playing in his 15th season, notched his first career hat trick, which was worth 19.2 points. And Wild Captain Mikko Koivu netted a short-handed goal, good for 14.5 points. It was a much needed boost for my team, which has been holding on to the top spot in the 20-team points league, and has pushed my overall lead to 121.3 points. As for my other yahoo team? Having both players were not enough to compensate for the rest of my roster, as I only earned 1 point in the 16-team rotisserie league that I am hosting. Although I am currently in 2nd place, behind by 9 points, my Wild-Puck team is having a hard time catching the leader. No, I am not serious enough about fantasy hockey to sacrifice a loss from my favorite team in order to gain points...but I guess it could be considered a consolation prize, although I would gladly exchange my fantasy points for Western Conference standings points for the Wild. 3 in a row, the bad kind With the 5-3 loss last night, the Wild (43 points) slipped to 8 points out of the final playoff position in the Western Conference. Earning zero points is not the cause of the slip, but instead the fact that most of the teams that are technically catchable by Minnesota are all on winning streaks, ranging from a four gamer to a two gamer....and our team is on a 3-game slide, their second longest pointless streak of the season (the team dropped 5 in a row early in the season and more recently went on a 4-game losing streak but earned a couple of those 'free' points during that stretch). Rounding out the teams occupying positions 4-8...the Flames (53 points) are riding a 4-game winning streak followed by the Predators (53 points) who are on a 3-game streak, ending with Canucks and Kings, who both have won 2 in a row and are also both sitting with 51 points. So consider this a very dangerous time for the team. A continuation of this current streak and/or any more losing streaks could all but cement its position in the bottom 7 teams in the West.</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/01/consolation-prize.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UOwn4t7v1UJv7urixXZckXzCydKUBWZmopzJU_hFCAfwRVWvjyVMx64l6ovWJZCB-49bpRMtHl139FfUWZtZNZfNmcX-4-iy0f1A0NVx-sVYHLG8FnS7nCsOYqo1SZxc9iXscqiwwxI/s72-c/wildnews10.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-3262903386754361685</guid><pubDate>Fri, 01 Jan 2010 21:10:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-01-01T17:15:08.360-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Jacques Lemaire</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><title>My salute to Jacques</title><description><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJGE1FADjDbSl5yi_I_OGMIcv-H7fJR7EmVCE7rignQiixS5tqp7AL-oXnfSzfgFG_LlPQdmWhcuOOn8IXiuO1-Jz2IKBMcNksEdz4S-3CUmx8TtXNN2usNyV88qtSpe3iENJo8Qi4qU/s1600-h/wildnews10.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 55px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJGE1FADjDbSl5yi_I_OGMIcv-H7fJR7EmVCE7rignQiixS5tqp7AL-oXnfSzfgFG_LlPQdmWhcuOOn8IXiuO1-Jz2IKBMcNksEdz4S-3CUmx8TtXNN2usNyV88qtSpe3iENJo8Qi4qU/s320/wildnews10.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421902400152287218" border="0" /></a> The New Jersey Devils come to town for a game tomorrow, and rightfully so, the home team Minnesota Wild will salute its former coach and current Devils coach, Jacques Lemaire. To honor the organizations first every head coach, and one that lasted up until his resignation was announced last April, is one classy move by the Wild. The 1984 Hall of Fame inductee in Jacques was the mastermind behind what I would consider a very successful start to Minnesota as an expansion team. Many NHL fans, including a good portion of Wild followers, despise his defensive style of coaching, but it is hard to argue with his playing and coaching resume. Lemaire, who was a two-time winner of the Jack Adams Trophy as the NHL's top coach, has been a part of 11 Stanley Cup Championship teams, winning one as a head coach during his first stint with the Devils during the 94-95 season. So this is my salute to Jacques Lemaire...for giving the Wild organization a great start to its existence and for putting together a system that saw our team working hard and playing competitively on a nightly basis, I thank you. The Classic was just that Yeah, that was a classic game. And as good as it was, it is funny to me how a league that seems to get so many things wrong, can on occasion get it right. It is a shame that the NHL cannot put as much effort and forethought into its daily decisions, because if that were done, it would be the most popular sporting league world-wide. You can pick your poison as to what issue you believe needs repair, but at the top of the list has to be the point system and lack of consistency when it come to player suspensions. And don't forget to throw into the mix a lack of a good league wide television deal. On a personal and selfish note, I for one and growing ever so tired of the Versus &amp; DirecTV squabble. The Wild are scheduled for 3 games this month (05 @ Blackhawks, 11 V Penguins, 18 @ Stars), but more importantly, the playoffs are now on the radar. If there is no deal in place by then, the NHL will continue to be without approximately 14 million households, so one would think that they would be looking to get this settled. Another condensed month After a grueling, yet very successful month of December, things don't slow down a bit for the NHL or the Wild. Minnesota, which earned 10 wins breaking a club record for the month in wins and point earned (20 pts) and also tied the franchise record for most wins in a month (March 2007), faces another jam packed month ahead. The only possible savior is that instead of being top-heavy with road games, Minnesota should get better acquainted with the X because they are scheduled to play 8 at home out of a total of 14 January games. The Olympic years play havoc on the scheduling and taking a full 2-weeks off at the end of February does create difficulties in playing a full 82-game schedule, one that when you include the post season, already drags too far into the spring. The question of whether it is good for the NHL to allow its players to participate in the Winter games has been going back and forth since the league allowed its players to participate in the games back in 1998. The league has its business to promote and protect while the NHLPA has its membership to consider. More on this later. As you may have guessed, I do have an opinion on this and it is probably not going to be a popular one...</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-salute-to-jacques.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJGE1FADjDbSl5yi_I_OGMIcv-H7fJR7EmVCE7rignQiixS5tqp7AL-oXnfSzfgFG_LlPQdmWhcuOOn8IXiuO1-Jz2IKBMcNksEdz4S-3CUmx8TtXNN2usNyV88qtSpe3iENJo8Qi4qU/s72-c/wildnews10.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-7748692749768693416</guid><pubDate>Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:58:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-12-30T18:26:00.033-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Derek Boogaard</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><title>Boogaard the Barometer</title><description><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCssB3aVBUfmKhjtOJlXlng1ZuZ7zd8oy1d1FOW7HLOXw2r8P_jfo_PkNNxY5IneMUpsoHbjic9j6ERPgaOmBLGSkEL0T_n17lW5y-hNwlmgF15rH7KWExeuG4rDzbpHjIqruoSGEotI/s1600-h/wildnews10.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 55px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCssB3aVBUfmKhjtOJlXlng1ZuZ7zd8oy1d1FOW7HLOXw2r8P_jfo_PkNNxY5IneMUpsoHbjic9j6ERPgaOmBLGSkEL0T_n17lW5y-hNwlmgF15rH7KWExeuG4rDzbpHjIqruoSGEotI/s320/wildnews10.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421185261400655874" border="0" /></a> It seems as though one of our players has been widely used throughout the league by NHL officials this season to measure the barometric pressure in any given arena. The measurements are recorded and then used by the officials to determine any changes in the game that may have occurred. Finally, on-ice calls are made accordingly, adjusting to certain abnormalities. Derek Boogaard has taken on the role of a barometer and unfortunately, the pressure has been too much for the referee's to take and they have penalized him for this. Russo blogged about Boogaard being a favorite target of certain officials a week or so ago but another 'incident' occurred again in last night 4-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. It was just past the mid-way point of the second period when Boogaard and Ducks defenseman Nick Boynton dropped the gloves and engaged in a fight. Everything looked as if this was an every day, garden variety fight, lots of tugging with few punches finding their mark. The officials then intervened in the usual way, except that #84, linesman <a href="http://www.nhlofficials.com/member_listing.asp?member_id=2311" target=new>Tony Sericolo</a>, took what looked to be a jab to the midsection from Boogaard. Now it is many a times where an official gets injured, whether it be during the play or after, even perhaps subduing combatants who were fighting. The unusual and inexcusable call on this play was that simply because Sericolo was injured in the tussle, Boogaard was given a 10-minute misconduct, in addition to the warranted 5 minute fighting major. It is real disappointing that a player who towers above most, plays aggressive, and is not afraid to mix it up, is penalized repeatedly simply because of his size. At 6-7, 258, Boogaard is obviously specimen on skates, as his frame is more suited for the UFC. But this should be no reason for on-ice officials to take their own liberties in the form of penalties against him. It would be one thing if Boogaard was a constant repeat offender of dirty plays that resulted in suspensions. On the contrary, for a player who garners as much attention as he does by the league, to my knowledge, to date he has been suspended only once during his NHL career, five games for an elbow to Calgary's Brandon Prust late last season. What if? Below is a simple calculation of what the Western Conference standings would look like if the league did the right thing and discarded the free point for losing a game...(tie breakers were not considered) <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="60%"><tbody><tr><td> </td><td>W</td><td>L</td><td>pts</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago</td><td>26</td><td>13</td><td>52</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix</td><td>25</td><td>16</td><td>50</td></tr><tr><td>Vancouver</td><td>23</td><td>15</td><td>46</td></tr><tr><td>San Jose</td><td>24</td><td>15</td><td>48</td></tr><tr><td>Nashville</td><td>23</td><td>17</td><td>46</td></tr><tr><td>Colorado</td><td>22</td><td>18</td><td>44</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles</td><td>22</td><td>17</td><td>44</td></tr><tr><td>Calgary</td><td>21</td><td>17</td><td>42</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"><hr align="left" color="#006600" size="1" width="90%"></td></tr><tr><td>Minnesota</td><td>20</td><td>20</td><td>40</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit</td><td>19</td><td>20</td><td>38</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas</td><td>17</td><td>22</td><td>34</td></tr><tr><td>St. Loius</td><td>17</td><td>22</td><td>34</td></tr><tr><td>Anaheim</td><td>16</td><td>23</td><td>32</td></tr><tr><td>Columbus</td><td>15</td><td>26</td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td>Edmonton</td><td>15</td><td>24</td><td>30</td></tr> </tbody></table> Looking at the above standings compared to the actual standings, there is no change in teams making the top 8...conversely, the bottom dwellers stayed the same. However, within the top 8 and bottom 7, there is significant changes. For Wild fans the obvious change is that instead of being 4 points out of the playoffs in the current standings, this model shows them only 2 points out. You can draw your own conclusions on what you see...but it does seem as though there has been some momentum on seeking some changes in how points are awarded.</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2009/12/boogaard-barometer.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCssB3aVBUfmKhjtOJlXlng1ZuZ7zd8oy1d1FOW7HLOXw2r8P_jfo_PkNNxY5IneMUpsoHbjic9j6ERPgaOmBLGSkEL0T_n17lW5y-hNwlmgF15rH7KWExeuG4rDzbpHjIqruoSGEotI/s72-c/wildnews10.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631259136627532458.post-7119393555375766956</guid><pubDate>Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:17:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-12-29T19:20:43.122-06:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Guillaume Latendresse</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Kim Johnsson</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Martin Havlat</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Minnesota Wild Blog</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Shane Hnidy</category><title>Confidence & Wins</title><description><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EQ2iAeUX45eXfLYuiHVrOA7DhN3pQfdtIeRwpHS579qLKWEp8aqbpMcYtdoQTkBUUautVbJeXdKuaHraIOSObr0myMznVROlmn0C6btOmX9OttweR1FCGMvPj13jLdO2wulRPcaIXh4/s1600-h/wildnews10.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 55px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EQ2iAeUX45eXfLYuiHVrOA7DhN3pQfdtIeRwpHS579qLKWEp8aqbpMcYtdoQTkBUUautVbJeXdKuaHraIOSObr0myMznVROlmn0C6btOmX9OttweR1FCGMvPj13jLdO2wulRPcaIXh4/s320/wildnews10.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420825237037947826" border="0" /></a> I am not sure if confidence breeds wins or if winning produces confidence, but it appears that our Minnesota Wild have been playing and having results with both. The team is currently on a 3-game winning streak, disposing of the Oilers (3-1), Blues ( 4-3), and most recently on the road against the Kings (4-3) and are playing with confidence. The phrase was uttered by Coach Richards after they held off an onslaught brought on by Los Angeles late Monday night, and it has been ringing true as of late...good teams find a way to win. And that is exactly what the Wild have been doing for much of the season. I hate to bring it up, but subtract that dreadful early season road-trip where they went 0 for 5, and the Wild are right in the thick of it. As it is now, Minnesota is only 3 points off the pace for the final playoff position in the Western Conference. What a month! December has been huge for the Wild. In a month where the team's schedule is jam-packed with 16 games, they definitely have held their own, and more so far, winning 10 out of 14 with 2 games remaining this month and calender year. Stop and think about that...20 points out a possible 28, which makes this month the most successful December in franchise history and ties the team record with 10 wins in a month (March 2007). And if the Wild can earn 3 points in the remaining two games, it will go down as the most successful month in team history in terms of points earned. To date, Minnesota earned 22 points during the month of March in 2007 and is the tops. Big D contributes It does not seem that long ago where the 'D' were doing just as their position says, playing defense. In Richards system, the position that is labeled 'D' may be just a formality of sorts because more often than not, our defensive players have been charging the offensive net, something that would have earned a permanent spot on the bench under the old bench boss. But with the change in coaches came a change in how involved the defenseman have become , as they are playing an important part in not only playing solid in their own end, but also pinching and forechecking in the offensive zone. The new approach has paid dividends recently...over the past 2 games, Wild defenseman have accounted for 3 goals out of 8 that the Wild netted. In fact, it was back-to-back goals by Shane Hnidy and Kim Johnsson that helped propell Minnesota in its win over the Blues. Havlat &amp; Latendresse These two have become two of the biggest acquistions, with one expected to make an immediate impact while the other came in as a bit of an unknown. Havlat, after a slow start, has seemed to have found his touch and has notched 10 points in his past 10 games. This comes after starting with only 11 points in his first 24 games. And his linemate as of late, Latendresse, has been nothing short of spectacular since he was acquired in a trade one month ago. He is living up to his pre-draft scouting report and has 3 goals in his past 3 games. But more importantly, he is using his size, speed, and is driving to the net, all things that Wild fans were hoping for when he came from Montreal.</description><link>http://wild-puck.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-am-not-sure-if-confidence-breeds-wins.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (tVelin)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EQ2iAeUX45eXfLYuiHVrOA7DhN3pQfdtIeRwpHS579qLKWEp8aqbpMcYtdoQTkBUUautVbJeXdKuaHraIOSObr0myMznVROlmn0C6btOmX9OttweR1FCGMvPj13jLdO2wulRPcaIXh4/s72-c/wildnews10.png" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item></channel></rss>

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