The Day After
Posted on December 21st, 2007 – 2:19 PMBy Michael Russo
The buzz was still in the air down the X 14 hours or so after Marian Gaborik completed the game of his life.
To put in perspective how great of an achievement Gaborik’s five-goal game was, from 1975-96, there were one, two or three five-goal games in the NHL virtually every year. Since 1996, zero.
That just shows how this game has changed into a tight-checking, faster, massive-goaltending game.
There were some comical things that happened down at the arena, like Wild legend Ryder Rolston, one of Brian’s three sons, heckling a blushing Gaborik beyond belief.
The entire locker room was in hysteria, it was so funny. He kept asking him why he wasn’t good enough to score six, then called him a sieve 100 times. See, the team of 18,000 is a bad influence.
Brian said Ryder picked that word up at Thursday’s game when the crowd screamed it at Henrik Lundqvist. He used it on Gabby. It was pretty funny stuff.
Gaborik admitted he was in such a high after last night’s game, he didn’t get to sleep until after 2. “Tried to pinch myself to make sure it was real.”
He’s been inundated with phone calls and text messages from family and friends. Pretty cool stuff.
Obviously tomorrow’s a big game. The Wild would love to go into the Christmas break on a high by beating the best team in the NHL, Detroit. Easier said than done.
Obviously one way would be to solve Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, who lit the Wild up a few weeks back. Mike Babcock had the last line change at home and got his two superstars on the ice against Gaborik and Pavol Demitra all night.
Jacques Lemaire said this afternoon he’s not afraid of that matchup tomorrow night if things transpire that way, although with the last line change, I think he’d rather Domimic Moore’s checking line face those two studs.
Of course, Babcock has a tendency to split the two forwards up on the road. Wild will catch a break. Tomas Holmstrom, one of the league’s best net crashers, injured his knee last night and is not playing.
I’ll throw some more stuff up as I transcribe. Good day.
69 Responses to "The Day After"
I’ll take even an OT or SO loss tomorrow night. Just getting a point out of Detroit is a Pyrrhic victory IMO.
#1…
I’ll take another 5 goal night out of Gaborik. He’s gotta keep it up to regain pace for a 50 goal 100 point season.
Anyone notice how Sidney Crosby’s first fight is mentioned more on the national new sites than Gaborik’s 5 goals. GIVE ME A BREAK! If the league would allow opposing teams to check Sid the Whiner (watch he scream at the refs when a call doesn’t go his way, selfish prick)…he wouldn’t be so great.
I might have to Jeff Gillooly my brother in law to keep him away from the X and cheering for the Dead Things tomorrow night.
I still have no words for last night. How great was that Voros pass to Demitra to set up Gabby’s 1st?
One thing that disappointed me was the lack of garb tossed on the ice after goals #4 and #5. I wasn’t expecting to see too many hats but c’mon people, what about shirts, gloves and bras? I would have helped but I was in the Club level and my arm isn’t that good.
I think Gabby needs 6 against Detroilet, an assist, a fight, and during the game at some point..he should enter the stands and find one of the idiots foolish enough to be wearing a Crosby jersey and wipe his ace with it!!!
4th goal = bras
5th goal = female underwear
6th goal = free beer for everyone in attendance.
BTW, you don’t want guys throwing their underwear on the ice for obvious reasons. Did anybody see the hotties in Philly picking up the hats a couple of weeks ago? The X needs to get on board with that.
Man Krummer, hate Crosby much?
You wouldn’t have tossed your bra, Deep Breath? o.O
I wouldn’t hate him so much if he wasn’t all you hear about. He’s on every National NBC game…he’s mentioned in 99% of televised hockey games….seriously there are numerous hockey players better than him that are never mentioned… Zetterburg, Datsyuk, Lecavlier, Ovechkin, healthy Gaborik, Heatley, Spezza, Alfreddson to name a few…. It’d be nice if the NHL didn’t advertise the league as a one man show anymore.
I am not arguing, but unfortunately he is the only name that the majority of casual fans/non-fans would recognize. Maybe that is why the NHL feels that they have to throw all of their marketing eggs into one basket with him. Again, not disagreeing, just a thought.
*would have, I meant to say. Way to blow that comment Wallshot!
You have to admit though, it is fun to watch him play (along with the others you mentioned).
Truth be told I am of the male persuasion, but I would have certainly been campaigning for all lovely and able-bodied females to be tossing the bras come goal #4. Also, from now on I am promoting a new ritual that when a guy scores 5 goals against some team, whether they respect the guy or not, the opposing team players have to lay their sticks at center ice after the game as a sign of appreciation for the feat.
Russo -
Could you expand on Ryder giving it to Gabby?
The problem with the NHL advertising is throwing all their eggs into one basket. Crosby advertisements are going to help one market (Pittsburg)…the casual fan isn’t going to track down when Crosby is coming to town…, and if the greatest player is playing for Pittsburg then, why is there a reason to check out the local team that doesn’t have the star. Now if the casual fans in non-hockey markets saw their star players on national advertisements. They’d tend to say, “Wow, we have a star on our local team!!!” and they’d get excited and possibly take a chance to check out their local hockey team for the first time.
Really? Daniel Alfredsson is better than Crosby?
We are talking about Sidney Crosby, right? ALfredsson is better than David Crosby. And he is MUCH better than Bing Crosby, but to say that he is better than Sid Crosby, well, that just shows how bizarre your mind is. A case can be made for Zetterburg or maybe even Lecavlier having better seasons, but if you had to build a franchise, and help sell a television contract to a disinterested nation, I defy you to say there is a better building block than Sid the Kid.
He is fun to watch play, but so are a lot of other guys. The PR machine seems to focus only on his 82 games when there are 100’s of other games to hype.
TSN made it sound like the Pope was in Alberta on Pitt’s West coast road trip.
The way the advertise..they should just give the NHL the slogan…”If you’re not watching Crosby, find a different sport.” because that’s exactly what idea the campaign puts into the casual fan’s head.
Mo: I think both David and Bing were much better singers than Daniel.
Where are all the “trade Gaborik” brain wizards that were in full panick mode a little while back?
Mo- i’ll give you that he’s fun to watch, but I’d also love to see someone lay him out cleanly and not get penalized for it. And i’d like to see him get penalized for chirping at the refs ala NYR last night. I watched him against Philly a week or so ago get called offsides by a good 10 feet and he left the ice chewing the ref out for the correct call… This is my major issue with the hoopla around Crosby.
How bout we trade Gabby for Crosby?.?.?…then Boogaard can return and run wild again because the NHL will be in “Protect Crosby” mode.
Just to rile things up…maybe we should trade Gabby for The Kid while his stock is high!
Krummer - LOL, timing.
Was at the game last night…am still hoarse…I 2nd the motion for the hotties to lose their bras and panties for goals 5 and 6…but I respectfully suggest a rum-n-coke rather than beer for #6!
Does anyone know where to find video of the Burns hit on Prucha?
BB isn’t it in the game highlights on NHL.com?
4th goal = bras
5th goal = female underwear
6th goal = free drink for all in attendance. (Phil will run and get it for you). 
With that new code: Finally we will really see more of the BBBTWB!!!
Please do it again Gabby!!
Watched the game last night and loved everything except Gabby getting elbowed in the face in the 3rd.
Is anyone besides Voros going to take exception to our franchise player taking a cheap shot with 4 mins to play???? Or does Gabby have to get slashed in the leg before they take notice.
If Radio/SV/Foy want to earn their keep they should have taken a run and shown the NHL that we can play undisciplined when it comes to protecting our guys.
A. I don’t wear bra, I’m a man. I wear a bro.
B. Sec 109 has the net, so I can’t throw anything as it wouldn’t make the ice. (yet some still tried to throw their hats throgh the net….idiots)
C. And, still thinking about beer. Shoulda had a couple for lunch…
D. Banana Peel? Come on Skoula…
They sure repeated that Burns hit a-plenty last night. To the crowds delight, I might add.
The NHL has always relyed on one player to be the “face” of hockey. Gordie Howe, Gretzky, now it’s Sid.
There is that one commercial on Center Ice I think were they not only feature Sid but Ovechkin, Staal and some others.It’s the “is this the year…” commercial. The other one about HD is pretty funny. Joe Thorton, “Do these pants make my butt look big?”, Iginla plucking the eyebrows…..pretty good stuff. But why aren’t these commercials on the regular networks. If your already watching Center Ice your already a fan. Doesn’t make sense if they want a bigger fan base.
I was reading the Rangers blog on Hockey Buzz and this analyst said he did a frame by frame of the Burns hit on Prucha and it wasn’t an elbow. Thing is, in real-time it looked like an elbow, so it probably should have been called. Rangers had a tough go with the officials last night really.
ss6 - The new years game is getting some wider ad play. I give NBC some credit for that. Hopefully it’s freezing and snowing like crazy.
Dice: MANZIERE!!!111one
BTW, the question on the last blog entry about “we’ve been fed” makes me wonder what happened to our glossary project. NiNY, were you compiling that? We ought to get that posted somewhere for folks as they jump on the Gabby bandwagon. We should take all the momentum we can get.
Wallshot LOL !
MLB, i’m fine with protecting our players, but the guy got a penalty for the elbow to Gabby and Gabby just shook it off. Why even things up by drawing a retaliation penalty?
Eddie Shore, just expanded on Ryder…
Good stuff Mr Russo. Maybe sieve should be Gabby’s new nickname.
mbrose: I have the cache, and have been updating it as new stuff comes along…speaking of which, did anyone see my new line names for Schultz and Johnsson (#55 and #5) as the “nickel defense” and anytime Gaby goes in our zone it’s the “dime package”? Votes??
I was at the X last night, awesome.
Somewhere out there is a photo of Brent Burns standing with two crumpled Rangers at his feet. I want that picture.
Doogs - See Koivu’s leg for the reason why we would take that penalty.
The game was out of reach and we didn’t need the PP.
Over the last month our “skill” guys have had WAY too many liberties taken with them. It may be a factor of Boogie not playing, but still, someone needs to step up in his abscence. I’m tired of the wild sitting back and having these shots taken at them.
The retaliation would hopefully send a message.
sawhockey- I saw that Philly game and was just talking to some friends about that last night. Love the idea for goals 4 and 5.
Nick - Satan just scored, up to 665. hopefully he doesn’t get anymore points before the NJ game.
I don’t remember it being posted in any threads. If it was, my apologies.
Thanks Ryan P. - I didn’t DVR this game so it was nice to see the replay again.
NiNY nickle defense and dime offense are awesome.
I like “Nickel Defense” but I am not keen on the “Dime”. Thanks for the Youtube of Burns’ hit Ryan!
Again, I was one of the few, the proud, the Trade Gaborik know-it-alls… I suggested getting someone like Malkin and throw in a few other players to make the salaries work.
I stand by what I posted before. Gaborik is injury prone and inconsistent. TSN (all Canada, all the time) even ripped Gaborik while praising him. Hell, JL even commented on skating in the postgame presser.
There is no denying his brilliance - when he chooses to use it.
Goal #1 doesn’t happen without a magnificent between-the-legs pass from Voros.
Still…he IS a star in the NHL and I have always believed (see Randy Moss) that you do not give away stars.
Gaby made the paper in Sacramento. After asking how I was, my dad mentioned that he saw in the paper that the Wild had a great game last night. Nickle D and Dime O get my vote NiNY. And Sid the Kid is rather cute so that probably helps in recruiting some female fans (that the girl in me coming out.) I love the HD commercial, I see it on NHL network. Love the bit on Ryder ribbing Gaby. How old is Ryder?
Until the groin thing goes away, I would still include Gabby in a deal for a major star like Jokinen.
KG…Ryder is 6.
NiNy…do you suppose Brian Rolston liked the song ‘Lunatic Fringe’???
Nickel Defense is pretty good, but they won’t stay together long enough to use it…:P
I was also in the “let’s trade Gabby camp” last week and still have not left even after that huge performace last night. Now if he contiues to produce like this and the groin doesn’t act up I will change my mind.
What a game to attend. The crowd was electic and I just wish I would not have had all those celebratory beverages after wards.
NiNY - I like both Nickel defense and dime package.
Have a good xmas everyone! I am heading out for MN at 6:45 in the morning. I probably won’t be on much, but we may try and go down to McGoverns for the game tomorrow if we have time. Cheers!
You too Austin and have a safe trip
NiNY: If the Wild indeed have a ‘Nickel’ defense, where does that leave the ‘Slug’, Skouba? Thursday night he once again showed for all to see why he has earned the ‘accolades’ he has so richly deserved. Despite Gaborik’s 6-point, 5-goal one-man show, Skouba still managed to keep the Rangers in the game single-handedly…
kj: TSN stands for ‘Toronto Sports Network’…all Leafs, all the time…
Final thought: if Gaborik came to work like that all the time, who knows how far the Wild would go! The sky’s the limit if he has the right attitude. Some nights, though, you don’t know where his head is at…
I was also at the game, it was great not often that you get to be part of history. As a fan of the Wild and hockey in general the team of 18K are not the best. Minnesotans are to passive/agressive to be a good fan. Just about every game I have ever been at at least 1/4 of the seats are empty until 5 min into the 1st. Last night we beat the Rangers and history is made but half of the section I was in (122)left early! Why? To beat the traffic onto 94? God Gabby scored 5! Least everyone could of done was yell and scream when he was announced as the #1 star of the game.
All of you that watch Center Ice know that at an arena in Canada the fans never are silent winning or losing. I cheer in the 100 level and I get nasty looks from people cause I interrupted there conversation about who knows what, but it aint hockey. All I am saying is could/would it be possible to educate the MN fans as to what the game is about. It is not about coming in late and leaving early (only Catholic can do that on Sunday morning),it is not about being MN nice and sitting silently in your seat. This is a game of passion, reaction, speed and a love of the game. Come on please lets learn how to cheer and enjoy the game. The next game I will be at is in March, hopefully I can cheer and not be looked at like I’m a leaper. Sorry for the long post.
Spamsmom…keep up the good work. We WILL prevail. The glitterati (that’s for you NiNY) shall be made uncomfortable until they rise out of their chairs and…CHEER!!!
Although, the ‘5 minute’ crowd existed long before the Wild arrived on the scene. I could never figure it out. 5 minutes left in the game (pick a sport) and they’re out the door. Not me…I have to argue with no one about how wrong the 3 star selection was… 
Yes, Mn fans always try to beat the traffic and leave early–I have never figured that out–and I do dislike everyone shuffling in late, but let’s realize that for some it isn’t all that easy to get to St. Paul by 7. There are jobs, kids and traffic on 94. And, I am mystified by the “conversation” comment. I am in 102 and there is a lot of screaming and yelling, including me everytime I see McGeough, Cooke et al step on the ice.
NINY - I love your contributions here, but do you know what a Phyrric victory is? I think you meant to say “moral victory.”
Also…I agree with the comments about Sid doing too much whining, being overexposed, etc. But if you set taht aside and look at it objectively, he IS the best player in the league. Proof? Consider potential trade.
If you, me or anyone else were the Pittsburgh GM, there’s not one player in the league we would consider trading Crosby for. Give up Crosby to get Alfreddson? HA! The Wild would trade Gabby for Crosby in a heartbeat. Ditto the Red Wings for Zetterberg or Datsyuk.
The only player you could even begin to make a case for is Ovechkin.
Ok so I’ll get the weird out of the way first: The Mr (half dazed from lack of sleep) asked me why people don’t say 1 hole or 2 hole like they say 5 hole? Why use short side, shelf, glove side…etc..? I told him to go back to sleep.
On Sid: don’t like him. He’s got talent, but he whines and he’s not that cute. There are better unsung players in the NHL, who look better on TV if the ad guys want to showcase someone. I’d rather watch that spot about Parrish where he takes his shirt off and jumps in the lake than see Sid any day. And lots of times I think that he gets show cased because someone heard someone else say how “cute” he is. Rant on Sid done…
People coming late or leaving early: When the Mr and I see that we quietly make sheep noises. Look at the Sheeple flee… must not get stuck in traffic. I notice it at Twins games also. Sad. I’ll cut people slack on arriving a little late (for the reasons woodcock mentioned). But one time these people in front of us showed up half way through the 2nd period, spent the entire game talking about work and then left at the 10 min mark of the 3rd. Also the chick was wearing a fur coat, heeled boots and enough perfume that by the time they left I had a migraine. That was the last time I sat in the Club Level, and I won’t sit there again. Every bad time I’ve had at a game was sitting in the club level. It’s the come super late and leave super early people that drive me batty. The Mr and I stay until the ushers kick us out, or the stairwells clear a bit, whichever comes first. And I also get antsy if we aren’t there in time to catch at least the second half of warm-ups. Ok think I’m done now, have to go do the first of 4 Christmases today, and that means I’ll miss the game… (unless I sneak out to a bar).
The club level is awful–was there once. Half the people aren’t hockey fans and are there because it is a corporate event. But the 100 level is just fine.
The sad thing about people leaving early is, The traffic in St. Paul is not that bad after a game. Compared to a sporting event in mpls, there is no traffic. When I go to games I park at the history center, I can usually be on 94 within 5 minutes of getting to my car, without leaving early.
Interesting article in NYTimes about a week and a half ago about the difference between hockey and bball players–comparing the Knicks and Rangers whose locker rooms are close to each other at the Garden. E.g., the Knicks drive Bentleys, etc and Rangers Land Rovers and BMW’s. Hollweg said “You see a lot of Rolls-Royces down there, big trucks with nice tires and rims on them”. Said Shanahan, “The difference is, we’re in parking spaces and they just park anywhere. We actually park in the lines. They just pull up to the door and get out of the car.” The Knicks players all live out in the burbs while according to Shanahan the Rangers players live in the city and often take the subway to work. he also liked the fact that they make most of their news on the ice. Not quite the story of the Knicks these days.
People, people, people…
Sid gets hyped because he’s really really good and what? 20 years old? 21? Compare Sid at 19 to our own promising youngster, James Sheppard, and you should get an idea of just how good he really is. Doing the things he’s doing at the age he’s doing it at is something that just doesn’t come around very often. His numbers in juniors were up there with other legends… Gretzsky, Lemeiux, Lafleur… That’s not to say there aren’t other really good players in the league right now, but I think in five years, he’s going to be in a class by himself, or maybe him and Ovechkin.
Thanks for sharing
