Wild’s 3-1 win over Colorado; Boogey’s Back
Posted on March 17th, 2008 – 3:58 PMBy Michael Russo
DEREK BOOGAARD RETURNS FOR MASTERTON NOMINEE AARON VOROS
He hadn’t played since Jan. 22. It was his sixth game since Nov. 23. He got a loud ovation on his first shift, clobbered Cody McLeod on that shift and played six in all, 2:29 of ice time.
Postgame notes: You’ve got to love hockey. The Wild is on fire. Who said anything about slumping? This team’s got points in five straight games. What a surge!
OK, 2-0-3, but it’s a start. The team played very well tonight, starting with killing off a 40-second 5-on-3 almost immediately. Colorado scores there, and it changes the entire complexion of the game.
But the Wild killed it, and Brent Burns snapped his 14th goal, which is second behind Calgary’s Dion Phaneuf for goals by Western Conference defensemen.
Ian Laperriere’s play before the goal proved again why Jacques Lemaire doesn’t like his penalty killers to leave their feet. Laperriere dropped to the ice to try to block a Brian Rolston shot.
So Rolston pulled up, wheeled around him and the waves parted. He wanted to cross a pass to Mikko Koivu, but the Avs collapsed and Rolston put it to Burns at the top of the circles.
Joe Sakic tied the game, but Branko Radivojevic, who blew two great chances in the first period by missing the net, redirected Burns’ shot for the winner in the second.
The goal came a minute after Nik Backstrom robbed Laperriere. That’s two games in a row the Wild scored the winner moments after Backstrom made a huge save. Last game, it was Backstrom denying Alex Frolov and Rolston responding with the winner against L.A.
On the Radivojevic winner, the Wild put together an impressive forecheck and nearly executed an entire change while pressuring in the offensive zone. Martin Skoula, again terrific tonight, made a big save at the blue line to get the puck back deep.
The Wild was up to the physical challenge, registering a season-high 30 hits. It also won 31 of 53 faceoffs, led by Mikko Koivu winning 13 of 19 for the second game in a row.
Big, big two points, and you can’t underscore that the Wild won in regulation. It pulls six points up on ninth-place Nashville, two up on Calgary and Colorado. Vancouver is up 2-1 on Phoenix after 1 right now.
Big two points also because of the upcoming four-game trip to SJ, VAN, CGY and EDM.
Other tidbits:
– James Sheppard snapped a 17-game pointless streak with an assist.
– Burns has four goals and nine points in his last nine games. He’s got a team-record 14 goals, 40 points and seven power-play goals.
– Nik Backstrom has lost in regulation once in his last nine starts (5-1-3). He sports a 1.73 GAA and .943 SP during that span. He’s got 28 wins, two behind Manny Fernandez’s team record set in 2005-06.
– Stephane Veilleux, instead of chipping it off the glass, hit an empty net from 130 feet for his 10th goal. He ices it, not a good play though.
– The Wild has won three in a row against Colorado, tying its longest win streak in the series, and is 5-0-2 in its past seven at home against Colorado.
Talk to you Tuesday from San Jose. Wild don’t practice until 4 p.m. CT, so it’ll be a late update.
348 Responses to "Wild’s 3-1 win over Colorado; Boogey’s Back"
BOOOOOGAAARD!!
Very good news.
Oh goodie!!!
Why would anyone want McGeough to model his skills for a rookie ref. Just another example why the NHL owners need to review who is in charge of the officating. It starts with Campbell and we all know it only can go downhill from there.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day all - headed to the X for green Kool-Aid and Guinness - Go Wild!
F’ing McGOO!! I hate that guy, how in the h3ll can he still be a ref?!
There is no way Boogie will play if McGeough is breaking in some rookie, but hey I’ve been wrong before. 
Boogie! That is good news.
McGeough is horrible. I had some pretty good optimisim for tonight’s game going, but with him out there… I just don’t know anymore.
Phil - I hear this might be his last year, but obviously the NHL brainwizards think this is the way all the refs should call games.
Boogie, isn’t needed for this game, let him do warm-ups but nothing more for today and then spring him on the ‘Nucks or Flames. Maybe he can induce a spine in the rest of the Wild players such that they put their purses away and actually do some sustained hitting.
I hope you’re right BDS, because just about ANY alternative is better than McGoo!
Oh, to be a fly on the wall in the refs locker room after the warm-ups with both Boogie and Simon taking laps around the Wild zone. McGeough will have that rookie, Banfield so wound up it might be funny.
What’s the over under on the number of penalties in the first? Where is G* when you need him? Oh, that’s right, in Vegas.
Wild 4-1 in a offensive break-out game.
I’m off to drink the Kool-aid.
Phil - I’m with you on that one. McGeough and Mair(sp?) are the worst.
calling it now Boogie breaks Gabby’s franchise record..6 GOALS now gimme some KOOL-AID
I think Boogey should play whenever healthy. It definitely brings a swagger to this squad when he is in the lineup.
He also has the ability to get in opponents heads way better then Simon or Voros. oh yeah, and he actually knows how to fight.
Anyone remember those Oiler games at the end of last year? Boogie was an impact player. He can to the same thing to the nucks and the flames.
My only good memory of Mr. Magoo was a Pens-Lightning game years ago (I don’t even remember the year.. 98-99 or thereabouts I think.) Sandy McCarthy was TB’s goon that year and he got involved in a huge fight. Magoo hauled McCarthy to the penalty box with an iron-clad grip on McCarthy’s jersey, then forcefully threw McCarthy inside the box. Looking back it might’ve been excessive, but I didn’t think so at the time.
Boogie in warm-ups and we’ll be late for the game. DAMN!! Wouldn’t you know it. And then you tell me Mr.Magoo is the “official” for the evening. The next thing you’ll tell me the is no Easter Bunny and we’ll be surrounded by obnoxious Flamers in Sec. 101 ugh…..
KiPA - Magoo is a throwback that’s for sure. He wants to BE the game which is exactly my biggest problems with him. I don’t even mind his obnoxious arm swinging when he makes a call that much just the fact that he always enjoy being in the spotlight.
MLB - Simon is not a threat. Every team knows he’s under the microscope so he’s not going to do anything to step over the line. Now with the whole Pronger thing I wonder if JL will even let him on the ice.
McGoo? %##@&%$! Double %##@&%$!
Can we expect that the Avalanch will get another phantom goal, or the Wild will get one taken away?
Ice, since he’s training in a rookie, probably both…He’s gotta show the young ‘en how it’s done!
Ice and Phil - Since the game is also on Versus and TSN in Canada expect McGeuogh extra “special” today. I think we are about to be Magooed = screwed by a ref that wants to be the center of attention.
BOOGIE!!!!!!! I miss him, one of my favorite Boogie moments was from a game he wasn’t even playing. Last year they showed a shot of him standing in the hall behind the bench in his suit with his arms crossed and his Clark Kent glasses on looking very GQ and marking who it was that had just done a questionable hit on one of our guys. I can’t even remember the game but the look on Boogie’s face as he marked that guy was priceless.
Seems to me you guys see Magoo a lot more than the Penguins (and I) do. Or maybe I just consider every ref to be awful without paying attention to their names or mannerisms these days.
If McDondal (McGeough) is in today I shall now not be disappointed if they lose for I have forseen a LOSS!!!! GO WILD!!!
Oh McGoo is special, very special Kevin in PA. It’s not a Wild/Avs game. It’s will be the “Mick McGoo Show”. And it will be a Really Big Shu for you tonight. sorry couldn’t resist 
BDS, god help us
McGoo’s a tool.
I’m not denying McGoo is special, I just don’t think I’ve seen many games reffed by him lately.
You guys will be in my prayers.
Y’all should savor the experience because you’re gonna miss him when he’s gone. You won’t have Mick McGeough to kick around anymore!
The Hockey Gods have to take pity on us soon, no? Maybe McGoo will sustain a groin injury and Dr. Rosenrosen will be out of the country and not be able to evaluate him immediatly so out of the game he goes!! It could happen….
For some reason half of my remark didn’t show up when I hit submit, it should have read.
McGoo’s special all right, short bus special, wait no that’s an insult to anyone who has ever ridden on one of those short buses.
McGoo’s a tool.
There now all comments are present and accounted for. I know it’s bad for my karma but I really really hate McGoo, he makes me so angry.
toivo - There will always be a ref to kick around but no one quite like McGeough.
Sportwiki’s detail of McGoo’s style as Ref.
http://www.sportsargumentwiki.com/index.php?title=Mick_McGeough
I don’t think venting anger towards Mcgoo Goo Doll goes against your Karma bandgeek.
I agree with those who think this may not be the right game to break in Boogie. Wednesday against the Sharks would make more sense to me. The Avs don’t strike me as a physical, pounding team but they can skate, which we all know is not Boogaards strong suit.
I guess JL has an idea of what he’s been giving in practice.
Ash - LOL, that was a pricless link!
Thank you very much.
Floppa and McGeough - over the top exaggerrated behavior.
Austin does it count if I wish him physical harm?
Ash - that was hilarious.
Now that I think of it, doesn’t McGoo remind you of the ref in that movie with Average Joe’s gym and the volleyball tourney in Vegas. I..can’t…remember…..Vince Vaghn….help me…..
DODGEBALL - that’s it…..
sorry…
Bandgeek: I thought your first comment, simply “McGoo’s a tool” summed it up rather nicely. Nothing more needed to be said.
Voros is the scratch and boogie is in.
Here we go WILD IN HD!!!!
Will he fight? If he doesn’t, why play him?
Happy SAINT Patty’s Day!!!. Go Get’em guys, especially you boogie. Kinda wished we had our old green jerseys for this one. Miss those!!!!!!
mcgoo the douche.
GO Foster!
Rad missed the net point blank….arggggghhhh
come on burns killed momentum,,,have feeling he will redeem himself
arrggh…Burnsie! Aim man!
Wild had some pretty good chances early. Radio missed a golden opportunity. Burns shot the puck about 100 feet over the glass to cause a 5-on-3, but Colorado’s putrid PP (”It won’t jump out at you” says the Versus PxP guy) hasn’t done anything with it.
way too much trouble clearing the zone…I hate it when the Wild do that.
Awww man. Anyone care to comment on the game? Sounds like a great one to be missing in HD. Stupid center ice blackout…
And for the record, my last post was in response to jimlove, not a prelude to it.
come on radio finish those
Radio is 0-2 on point blank chances from the slot so far…7 minutes in..nice start dude, maybe he should shave his head?
a little vinegar shown by Foster there…I like it.
BURNSIE!
BURNSIE!! Redemption baby!!
BURNSIEEEEE
yaaahhhh Bruns baby!!
BURNS!!!
Radio is p1ssing me off..he can never seal the deal…we could easily be up 2-0 now…the boys look good so far otherwise..good 5-3 kill
OK, the re-ordering of the posts is now getting annoying.
Koivu giving Foppa the business along the boards…atta boy Mikko!
Ha. First time ever I respond to a Minnie goal before any of you actual Wild fans.
BOOGEY!
BOOGEY!
BOOGEY!
BBBOOOOOOOOOGGGIIEEEE is back, back again.
you’re one of us now, Kevin.
LOL.. who say Boogie level the dude! that was sweet! GOOOO BOGGIE!
Excellent. I’m very honored.
Carney getting the gate?
that was a very marginal hooking call IMO.
are they booing Foppa?
Boogie IS IN THE HOUSE! And way to go Burnsie!
they do in hockey, Dice.
Marginal and McGoo. Do they rhyme?
Burnsie should stay on his skates there. Nik’s a butterfly goalie, no reason to take away the low part of the net for him.
McGoo didn’t make the call - the new guy did (according to radio).
Ok now I’m behind so…
BURNSIE!!!!!
Welcome back Boogie!!!
McGoo your a tool!!!
There, all caught up.
McGoo a mentor for new refs? No wonder Colin Campbell can be so inconsistent. Looney tunes McGoo is considered a mentor….LOL.
Forsberg painting a target on his back?
Mcgoo is already suckin’ major wang, training in the youngster in the ways of ineptitude
Very suspect hooking call…
Foppa with the shoulder to Radio’s melon…come in Radio? Radio? Come in Radio? Over?
how much i hate someone to hurt our own he would be so good in a wild uniform
pretty satisfying period. Avs came pretty close a few times though.
Ooh if only Burns buried that one.
Yeah, pretty solid period. That delay of game Burns took did kill the momentum some and Colorado maintained possession and had some good chances but didn’t dominate. Things evened out the last few minutes.
backs made a huge save when the team left sakic behind him…major brain fart there
A testament to how important a big save at a key time is: Somehow all 5 Wild players leave Sakic all alone behind the Wild net, and it could EASILY have been 1-0 Colorado there. Instead–Backstrom makes the save and the Wild takes the lead on the powerplay. Excellent!
This calls for another beer.
Since we have some quiet time, I’ll post this line from a Bruins blog, regarding NBC’s love for showing the Penguins:
“As expected, NBC did not pick up the Bruins’ match against Buffalo on March 30. NBC will air Pittsburgh (yet again) against the Rangers at 12:30 p.m.”
not to take away from the Pens, Kevin, but I suspect the difference in market size between the Rangers and the Sabres probably had something to do with it too.
Undoubtedly, Nick. But, as I said yesterday, I wouldn’t have minded a non-NBC game that started at a later time. I’m not a morning person.
oh I see what you’re saying…gotcha.
Kevin, Do you have the other half of this amulet? 
Lol phil.
And nick, what I’m saying is someone yesterday (I forget who, might’ve been WRT?) asked if NBC stood for “Nothing But Crosby,” and I thought that blog saying “Pittsburgh (yet again)” was funny.
Also I don’t want to be one of those teams that gets shoved down other fans’ throats.
I respect your position (not wanting to be overexposed) a lot, but I gotta tell you, the league is so pro-Crosby (and why not) that I don’t think you have much choice in the matter.
OK, second verse, same as the first boys. No let downs!
Yup, though at this point, it’s pro-Malkin more than Crosby.
definitely…Malkin has been incredible since Sid went down originally (not that he was bad before).
Girly moment, I wish they’d show a close up of Boogey. I want to see if he got his hair cut or if he still has his longer curls.
Thats a bull call on Parrish.
He’s not going to get more playing time with penalties like that.
A lot of us went on suicide watch when Sid went down. We hoped to tread water, let alone improve our positioning. Geno stepped up his game.
Colorado’s PP sucks but given so many chances is bound to hurt at some point.
mother scratcher.
And as I was posting that, Sakic scores…boo.
s.o.b.
Thanks for the in-game commentary folks! I can only pay so much attention to the wild radio guys. Bummer of sakic’s goal.. keep up the good play!?
Nick I believe the saying (at least in my house) is mother smurfer.
Parrish can’t take an O-zone penalty like that. Dumb.
I like mother smurfer, band.
Anyone know the movie from whence “mother scratcher” comes?
When will Sakic get old and ineffective!
excellent job on the backcheck there by Demo. Definitely worth a goal for.
Phil seems to have contracted the future disease…
tough one there…just a good play by the Avs
how do you check what’s on yahoo?
or else, you could just crack open another cold’n'frosty, Wallshot, eh?
Koivu will score before the end of the period.
Fridge needs the 1,000 pucks into a bucket treatment. He could be a 15 goal guy playing with Gaby, I’m telling you.
NiNY I’m waiting for the movie trivia answer!
Backs brought his “A” game so far…
What a save by Backs!!
The Wild this season have got me feeling such that any time the score is tied, they are going to lose. This is not my natural bent, and I don’t much like the feeling either.
Now would be a great time to begin reversing this condition boys!
I’ll give you a hint, Rogue: it’s early Coen Bros.
RADIO!! You’re coming in 5×5 brother!!
Hey look at that. He messes up easy chances then gets a deflection goal.
Yahoo!!!
Smurf can be inserted for almost all “bad” words. Example: Mother Smurfer, Smurf you, and just a well placed SMURF!!!
Finally Radio gets it in. Nice.
Before Fargo? Or is it Fargo?
Crap, I meant Radio will score.
pre-Fargo, IIRC
WL: I check what’s on Yahoo by looking at my fantasy rosters (and those of other teams) and seeing if a “Watch Live” link is next to anyone’s names. I think they’re showing Vancouver-Phoenix tonight.
NiNY - It’s not Raising AZ…?
point for jimlove!
Thanks, boys!
well now radio is 1-3…good work!
2-1 Wild now
It’s about time, Radio. Keep it up!
Raising AZ is a genuinely strange movie. Well played jimlove.
Booya! Big Cohen Bros fan. It doesn’t get any better than el grande lebowski pour moi.
it’s the guy in the machine shop, that won’t shut up…”no! Not that mother scratcher!”
Raising Arizona is one of my all-time favorites.
Big Lebowski is a fantastic piece of art.
he better take both of them!!
Wow that was weird. The rookie calls a penalty from center ice and McGoo sends Forsberg in the same play.
rookie’s got some sack making that call on Mikko from outside the zone. First time in a long time I’ve been happy with McGeough.
KiPA, that’s classic McGoo officiating.
The new mentor in the NHL….the “new” ref is as bad as McGoo so Mick had to one up him with a worse call…LOL!
It’s nice that it’s even up but I don’t see how McGeough can call a penalty only after the other ref calls something else on the same incident.
that’s at least the second time I’ve seen Gaby shoulder into someone on the end boards behind Theodore. I like it.
Reid and Kurtz are speculating that McGoo tried to help out the young guy by taking Foppa for what was a bad interference call by the young guy on Mikko.
That’s why they call him Floppa.
another O-zone penalty against us?! WTF?!
I’d sign Demo for 1 mil a season. He’s been that bad this year
Burnsie working Foppa over along the wall…nice…
i like it guys
I guess I wouldn’t say they let up…the Avs sort of asserted themselves and the Wild bent but didn’t break.
Now…
FINISH THEM!
SWEEP THE LEG!
NO MERCY!
Decent period there..I want Boogie to crush Forsberg…I told KJ the man is a punk!
That’s easy NINY, Karate Kid..Cobra Kai, never die!
Lets go fellas!
was that Demo that just took the hit to draw the penalty?
GO PP!
I thought I just saw Skoula take a slap shot…obviously I was mistaken, but I didn’t think I’d drunk that much tonight.
That depends Nick, how many “wee drams” have you had tonight?
that was close…
wee drams, Band? A couple…maybe…
would it be so awful to get an insurance goal?
A friend and I always complain that so many times we have the wrong-handed shooter in a prime scoring situation. If PMB was a righty, it’d be 3-1.
BRUTAL DIVE BY FLOPPA!!! JUST FILTHY…terrible call.
Awful call.
Even Foppa looked like he was surprised by that call.
Backs is on and I want McGooo dead!
BS!!!!!!!!!
Big kill.
Indeed
ditto, Kevin.
Now, use the mo, get the insurance goal and seal the deal.
my friends, we are hanging on right now.
please please hockey gods smile upon us!
By your (our) fingernails.
if Nik made a save on that it was the save of the season so far
Wow. Thought Colorado had it there.
BACKS!
curious TO by coach Q here…with a gassed Wild crew on the ice…
His boys probably could’ve used the break too.
SRV!!!
Nice blast there.
Good Win!! Corner turned?
Steph with a sweet empty net!!!!
Yippie! 2 points! I can go to bed a happy Bandgeek.
Nice icing, Rocky Dennis!
Two points, eh?
(There, more movie trivia!)
phil: that is THE question, eh?
Backstrom has really been good the last 8 or so. The Avs had plenty of chances tonight and the was aggressive (for him) and steady all night.
We’re getting contributions from everywhere (Radio, Burns, SRV)
That was darn close to a 60-minute effort, too….
my prediction was 4-1 Wild with Backstrom letting in a softie…well I’m happy with the win since not my prediction…
NINY, I agree about the 60 minutes…they forechecked a lot and kept the intensity up
Remember when the sky was falling a week ago? This team is and always has been a top 10 cup contender th. Backstrom has a roll in him the offense has it in them and hey we haven’t wasted a good run lately that would be better suited for the playoffs.
where’s Dampland? I’ve got some crow I’m guessing he’ll be more than happy to eat…
guys on Hockey Central on the VS. just talked about the Pronger suspension…sounded like a dumb vs. dumber faceoff. Squawking for the sake of squawking. Saw the end of the game tonight. kudos to Backs and about damn time we get an empty-netter.
Nice to see the boys pull out the 2 point win. I really wasn’t sure what we would see, but I was happy with the effort against a team that has been playing really well. The PK again was huge as there were too many opportunities for the Avs.
That’s take this ‘mo’ on the road and get a few wins.
All in all, not a bad homestand. 6 of 8 points.
One more thing. I liked Pouliot playing between Butch and Roli. I could see that being a good line if given some time. The problem was there were so many penalties.
Not that its too big of a deal, but why was smyth out there? I thought he got crushed not too long ago?
Raising Arizona is Nick Cage’s best movie ever.
Speaking of Arizona, the Nucks are up 1 - 0 in the first. Carcillo (sp?) just fought Rypien… what a bout too.
Austin, how was the game on your new HD?
Phil, the HD VS feed screwed up so we were stuck with SD. It still looked better than it did on my old TV. I am considering switching to Direct TV or that new AT&T service when it becomes available because Time Warner blows.
Marcel Hossa has been a bit of a bust for the Desert Dogs - at least that is what I infer from the Coyotes commentators. I wonder if we could bring in Gabby’s BFF in the offseason and work a little long term contract action. He would be significantly cheaper than Demitra too (and would probably produce as much….)
Dang, Nucks scored again. Maybe I will watch Lost instead.
THe HD CI channel has the Wild game on Wednesday… hopefully it works properly!
Sorry to hear about it Austin..it’ll be awesome in the very near future on a regular basis. People up here don’t seem to like Comcast, but I haven’t had any issues with them, ‘course I don’t have HD yet
‘yotes just scored, 2-1 now, still the Nucks leading
Carcillo strikes again, this time with a goal….This guy is everywhere.
yeah!!!! I’m so happy!
One of the better Wild games I have seen this season. Yeah, they took part of the 2nd period off (and we all saw what happened then!) but overall a very solid effort by ‘da boys’, especially Burns (What a player he has stepped up to become), Veilleux (SRV keeps on quieting the critics) and, believe it or not, Skoula. If Marty had played like this all season, anyone who had criticized him would be laughed at. (Of course, the reality is the opposite.)
As others have pointed out: Wild have taken 7 of a possible 10 points in their last 5 games, beat their first Western Conference team at home by more than one goal in a month, have a 2-game winning streak and have points in their last 5 games.
Oh, did I also mention that the Wild are again solely in 3rd place in the Western Conference?
Now it’s on the road, hopefully with the jinx gone for good…
Come on yotes!
WRT, they beat another western conference team by two just a couple of days ago. Did you mean NW team?
I am so glad I was wrong about tonight’s game!
Nice win WILD!
Way to go BURNSIE!!!!
NiNY,
MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH mmm this crow sure tastes great!
I hope I will be eating it all the way thru June!
Need some mustard Dampland?
Nice game by da boyz! It had a little bit of everything, solid goaltending, by Wild norm a physical D and clutch scoring, sweet.
How the NHL can use McGeough as the model of calling games is beyond me. Some very strange and weak calls on both teams by both Magoo and the rookie. Fortunately the stange calls didn’t have a direct effect on the result.
We will sleep well in SoH tonight!
Just got back from the X. All around good game. Guys were moving their feet. A few scary moments but Backs played very well as did most of the team and Skoula was excellent. Pouliot looked pretty good. Horrendous hooking call on PMB by McGeough who is still pathetic and ought to be reffing PeeWees. What more can I say? That was a fun game to watch.
McGeough is the Barney Fife of NHL Refs… Nice game boys. I hope it is a trend that continues. Definitely something to build some confidence and momentum with… Very tough road trip ahead. Should be down and dirty. We gotta go 2 and 2 on it IMO.
Also just home from the X….Nice effort, good atmosphere in the building. I thought Radio got screwed by not being one of the three stars. He worked his tail off all night, helped with some important kills and got the tip-in to atone for the two he could have buried in the 1st period.
Also, Pouliot is trying very hard to impress. He was coming back very low on the defensive end, threw some nice passes and skated hard. I like him, P-Marc and B-Roll together on the same line.
And I see others have touched on this, but the call on P-Marc was a horrible, horrible dive by Floppa. It boggles the mind that an NHL ref could make that call.
Can we get four points on this raod trip?
Anyone know why Carney stopped playing at about halfway through the second? As in, Coach sat him.
why does it seem to find a center for PMB and Rolston but almost impossible to find one for Gabby and Demitra?
Koivu is the best between them but he is much needed on the checking line.
Man, both teams played very well tonight. The Wild winning this one is huge. If we play like this for the rest of the season, I will be pretty happy.
[…] day-to-day with each …No time for Coventry Blaze to get blase ic Coventryicwales.icnetwork.co.ukWild??s 3-1 win over Colorado Boogey??s BackWild??s 3-1 win over Colorado Boogey??s Back Posted on March 17th, 2008 ?? 3:58 PM By Michael Russo […]
I like how you gave Skoula the third star. Was that just for your loyal followers?
My boys won so I’m a happy Bandgeek. They played well (except that little hiccup in the 2nd) and my Boogie is back, now if my dogs would just learn to feed themselves, I could have slept in this morning.
Only thing messing up my morning is that I have to shovel (stupid March snow).
Bandgeek - cats can feed themselves, what’s scary is what they can get into when they’re determined.
Dampland: good on ya’ for keeping in real!
Iceman,
I’d prefer some Wild p*ss & vinegar to go with my crow please.
Wallshot: Yes, you are corect. It was the NW division. I already forgot the LA Kings game…
Dampland: Does crow taste better the second day? (Like spaghetti…)
NiNY: E-mail reply?
Everybody ready for a make-or-break road trip? There’s 8 points to be had, folks!
Seattle Bar update from yesterday:
I don’t know if they show Wild games, but check http://www.zaydabuddyspizza.com it is a Minnesota themed pizza joint/bar in Seattle. I’ve never been there, but I hear they serve up Hamm’s and cheese curds so Wild hockey couldn’t be too far behind.
WRT: I didn’t see a new one yesterday…I replied to one you sent the other day…?
WRT,
I’m hoping to go on a long-term crow diet, and while I hate the taste of it, I’d gladly stuff my face with it, if it means a WILD successful spring!
How’s THAT for positivity for you???
I don’t blog and the Wild play a solid game. Oh…what’s that? You mean the two events really AREN’T tied together? Oh…ok.
Yep, an enjoyable night. My vision was complete with Burns destroying Forsberg behind the net. Wow, signing him for the dough they did is HUGE. If he keeps improving the way he did the past season, he is going to be the top D man in the league.
How about the game Sheppard played?
If at any time I made disparaging remarks about Benny, I take them back. After watching him last night, I think he’ll stick for a long time. It looked like JL went to 3 centermen in the 3rd and paired Demetra and Gaborik on the wings. Couldn’t have done that if Benny would have been ineffective.
The next 3 weeks are going to be so fun, but outside of the Wild, my rooting interests are going to be changing on a daily basis. Tonight I am a giant Blue Jackets and Coyotes fan. After that, I hope the Oilers beat everyone that they play except for the Wild. Others will be decided on a nightly basis.
Dampland - lol, way to take one for the team. Good luck with the crow diet. Maybe you could be like that Subway guy -”I lost a “ton” on the crow diet”…
Just keep the Wild winning.
kj, I don’t think Benny looked great per se, but he did look pretty decent. I really wanted him to get a goal in this game. I thought he had a pretty good chance on a rebound, but the puck was out of his reach. I completely agree on Burns though… if he keeps improving he will be a force.
Benny was solid, but he didn’t really stand out to me. kj is right that if he was ineffective he wouldn’t have been one of the centers playing late in the game.
I loved the play in the 3 in which Benny took the puck in the zone, got the defensemen to commit to him, gave Roli a nice pass and then drove the net. The rebound bounced right to Butchy but he was on his backhand and Jose made a great save.
I watched about 70% of the game in between putting kids to bed etc. and didn’t notice Benny that much, which is good. Let’s ease him in to the team and have him ready for the SCP run. This is a huge opportunity for hima nd I hope he realize this and makes the best of it. Could we have three centers of the future, Koivo, Shep and Benny?
Koivo was huge in the face of circle last night and I expect him to be a force every game form here on.
I think the biggest thing for Pouliot was that he didn’t make any glaring mistakes, and took care of business on the backcheck/in our zone. Especially if he’s going to play some center, that is arguably more important than points right now - as far as garnering some more TOI from JL, IMO.
ATX…nothing flashy on TV, but he was very good supporting the puck and playing without it.
He did make a couple of nice passes, and attacked the blue line well on a couple of rushes.
The went a little ‘prevent defense’ in the 3rd but this time there wasn’t a Backstrom softie to tie the game.
Notice - no soft goal, Wild win.
kj, I agree. Although there was one point where it looked like he was chasing the puck carrier even though there was a man on the guy with the puck already. I saw someone slipping in through the backdoor, and I thought that Benny should have been more aware. Other than that I think he was good. Greg, I thought my prediction for a Benny goal in this game was going to come true on that play. That would have been a nice confidence booster for Benny.
ATX, I was hoping to see him get a goal as well. Oh well, maybe he’ll get one on the upcoming roady.
Notice - no soft goal, Wild win.
Notice Backstrom has been getting better and better the last few weeks. He’s really turning into a stud again. Hopefully he can keep it going.
from the useless stats department, the Wild have climbed back to even in overall goals for and against this season.
With the 3-1 win last night, they now have scored 195 and allowed 195.
Here’s the period-by-period breakdown:
1st 56 GF, 54 GA
2nd 79 GF, 73 GA
3rd 52 GF, 60 GA
OT/SO 8 GF, 8 GA
That -6 in the 3rd period is a little distressing, though when you filter it through our 29-0-3 record when leading after 2 periods it’s not that bad.
The Wild’s record when…
leading in the 3rd 34-1-4
tied anytime in the 3rd 14-8-8
Hmmm…
Sakic -2
Forsberg -2
The ‘old’ guys had a tough night. Although one of them was an EN.
I have been critical of Backs but last night he played like we need a goalie to play if we are to get into the playoffs and have any chance of advancing. Not only no softies but he made the saves he had to make, including at crucial times in the game. That is the mark of a good goalie. Keep it up. The others all plyed well except I am still down on Carney. He really does have a tough time moving the puck out of the zone.
NiNY, those third period stats indicates one of two things to me.
1) When we’re down going into the third we tend to feel hopeless and collapse overall.
2) When we’re down in the third we tend to try to concentrate on more offense and ignore the defense and end up digging a deeper hole.
Anyone else got any theories?
Woodcock,
Carney got a hooking penalty in the game, because he was out of position. He was out of position because he has lost a step or two. Sad to see, but Carney should start thinking about coaching, as he is becoming a liability on the ice.
Parrish has been invisible lately. Part of that is his reduced ice time, but he isn’t making much of the time he gets.
VoR,
Parrish did hit the pipe last night in the first period, just barely missing a goal. But in general he has been on a prolonged poor spell that’s for sure.
Goody: well they’ve lead after 2 more (32 out of 73 games) than they’ve trailed after 2 (27 out of 73 games).
So I lean towards #2, that this team is ill-equipped to come back in the third.
I wonder how many 2+ goal leads we’ve taken into the third…with all the 1-goal games we’ve played it could be a substantial number. In that case, it could be a “bend but don’t break” mentality that accounts for the net negative goals differential in the third.
Wasn’t Parry guilty of one of the O-zone penalties taken, too?
NiNY,
Pretty sure Parrish’s “hooking” was in our own zone, not the O-zone.
Goody: I just ran the numbers and they’ve taken a 2+ goal lead into the 3rd 15 times this season.
The opposition has 3rd period goals in 8 of the 15.
In those 15 third periods, the Wild has been outscored 9-11.
BUT…their record when taking a 2+ goal lead into the third is 15-0-0 (1 OT win).
So the -6 in goals differential in the third period is NOT because we’re taking big leads into the third and giving up one before shutting the door.
I have been highly critical of Backstrom as well so I am happy to eat some Buffalo Crow Wings as a result of his play as of late - keep it up Backs!
Also, a knee-on-knee shot (no penalty)from former Gopher Keith Ballard puts Nuk/former UMD Bulldog Mason Raymond out for four weeks - http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=232299&hubname=
Adam…that is an unfortunate injury for the Nuks. He was playing well for them.
AiH: Thanks for the pizza joint tip. I’ll look ‘em up when I get out there tomorrow to see if they carry NHL Center Ice. If they do, may be worth a drive, as nearby Key Arena has Suns-Sonics tomorrow night, which means most Seattle establishments will go ‘SUUU-perSonic’ tomorrow evening…
NiNY: You’ve got mail…
Dampland: Crow recipies? Crow Benedict? Crow a la King?
toivo: You’re still going to that evil place known as HP Pavilion tomorrow night, aren’t you?? (San Jose fans are Mean, frustrated Raiders fans who wish they could sit in the Coliseum’s ‘Black Hole’…) 
BUT…their record when taking a 2+ goal lead into the third is 15-0-0 (1 OT win).
NiNY - wasn’t the Wild up 2-0 on the Wings in that 2/5/08 game?
I, too, need to commend Backstrom for his game last night. I have thought his play has been only average for most of this season, but if continues to play like that down the stretch and into the SCP, the Wild will be a much tougher opponent.
Hockeydad: I have that game at 2-1 Wild after 2 periods.
Never mind, NiNY - the Wild were only up 2-1 to start the 3rd in the Wings game.
At the game last night and Brent Burns is officially my favorite player. I took my 8 year old daughter to her first game and we were up by the glass for warmups. I do not think I have ever seen a player so excited to be playing as Burnsie, even before the game! Let’s hope he keeps that youthful exhuberance and continues to be a force!
Did anyone else notice Benny looked a little scrawny out there? He is listed as 6′3″ and 199 pounds but looked like he was wearing Boogie’s jersey.
Does anyone have a link to Boggies hit from last night? It wasn’t in any of the highlights. Speaking of hits… what’s up with Gabby using his body? I think he had two pretty good hits last night.
Great all-around effort from the boys last night, just what we needed to give us some confidence before we head out on the last big road trip of the season.
Here are a few random observations, apropos of nothing:
1. Mikko won a lot of faceoffs in the last couple of games, but if there was a stat that kept track of the number of times guys get kicked out of the circle, I’ll bet he’d lead the league.
2. Is it legal to have two Codys on the same team, let alone the same line? It’s even more bizarre given that they’re both “Mc”s (McCormick & McLeod, sounds like a law firm).
3. Backs played a solid game but, as the guys on Versus pointed out, he went down too early far too often. The Avs missed several opportunities to score high.
4. My unsung hero last night: Todd Fedoruk. Theodore had no chance on Burnsie’s goal.
Something that I noticed: Late in the game, Quenville tried to send another player after the W’s had their guys out there, ostensibly to give Sakic and Forsberg a few extra seconds of rest before the faceoff.
Could the refs have called a bench penalty for that? Too many men? Delay of Game?
Also, Parrish has the third lowest PIM/game of anyone on the Wild roster, excepting Pouliot and Matt Foy, and the lowest of all regulars.
Whole team, PIM/G:
Aaron Voros - 2.63
Derek Boogaard - 2.00
Chris Simon - 1.80
Todd Fedoruk - 1.61
Petteri Nummelin - 1.04
Sean Hill - 0.85
Stephane Veilleux - 0.83
Marian Gaborik - 0.79
Mikko Koivu - 0.79
Branko Radivojevic - 0.75
Eric Belanger - 0.68
Brent Burns - 0.68
Keith Carney - 0.68
Kurtis Foster - 0.67
Brian Rolston - 0.65
Dominic Moore - 0.60
Nick Schultz - 0.58
Kim Johnsson - 0.56
Wes Walz - 0.55
Pavol Demitra - 0.37
James Sheppard - 0.35
Martin Skoula - 0.34
Pierre-Marc Bouchard - 0.30
Mark Parrish - 0.26
Matt Foy - 0.08
Benoit Pouliot - 0.00
Personally, I have not felt Backstrom was doing so badly for most of the year. It seemed like a deflection or he sometimes guessed wrong and so it looked like a weak goal.
VoR: ome to think of it, that would not be beneath Joel Quennville to delay the face-off any way he could. When he couldn’t get enough rest for his Senior Citizens, he had to use his time-out.
Should have been a Delay of Game call, but with the ‘Special Guest Referee’ in charge, you knew nothing was going to get called.
I mixed up Foy and Nummelin. Nummelin is at 0.08 PIM/G and Foy is 1.04 PIM/G
4. My unsung hero last night: Todd Fedoruk. Theodore had no chance on Burnsie’s goal.
Great point. Todd continues to add value to the overall campaign.
Burnsie has been dubbed the “new baby jesus”. see comments under the Don’s article for today.
Kinda funny. I thought Noah might be better. He’s already got the arc.
Speaking of the Special Guest Referee, how’d you like that diving call he made on Forsberg? Even I thought that was kind of a Mickey-Mouse call.
I have been pleasantly surprised with Fedoruk contributions. He can skate with the GroinTwins and is always a presense(sp).
Little change of topic - Simon. Will he suit up again or is there just too much controversy swirling around him for Wild management?
Simon will play, especially if we face the Ducks in the playoffs. You can bet you’ll see a Fridge - Simon - Boogey line at least once in that series.
If they try and send extra player out. The linesman is suppose to kick the center out of the face off circle. That’s it no penalty.
I was only able to listen to the game on ‘CCO, but Reid & Kurtz speculated that the diving call was made by McGoo, perhaps only because the interference call on Koivu (i think it was him), which was made by the newbie ref, was so lame that he felt things needed to be made even. Pure speculation on their part, of course.
FYI - looks like last night’s game will replay on NHL Network at 1:00 for those of you w/o the mighty Vs.
What about Voros? Now that the BoogieMan is back is it all over for “The Hammer”?
I know this has been discussed in the past, but my small brain has forgotten the details.
Can someone list the current contract status for our WILD players.
Player - Signed thru season “20XX”
Thanks in advance!
I was at the other end of the rink but I didn’t think the interference call was a bad one. He did take him out before he got to the puck. I do think McGoo was trying to cover himself personally for not calling it himself.
Dampland - go to nhlnumbers.com for a summary of contract status.
The Newbie called the interference, McGoo called the diving. The diving call was pretty lame, though.
ss6 - my guess is that Voros, Boogey, Simon and Foy will split games.
Bill…you mean the new referee was actually thinking for himself?
Or was he just trying to get face time on Versus??
Maybe that’s why McGeough called that Goofy call against PMB for the second Forsberg dive. It really WAS M-i-c, k-e-y, M-o-u-s-eeeee…..
Hockey Dad,
NHLNumbers.com is blocked by my work internet, so I cannot access it.
Dampland, aren’t you glad this site isn’t? I’m in a similar boat.
WRT, Yeah I was looking at it from kind of the same view as the new ref. Just a little further away. It happend right in front of McGoo and he didn’t want it to look like the kid was right and he missed it.
Four game road trip coming, let’s hope we don’t have to depend on Burns, Branko and SRV to do all the scoring on the trip, or we may be coming home sans points!
Maybe that’s why McGeough called that Goofy call against PMB for the second Forsberg dive.
I thought Foppa fell more than dove but I could be wrong - maybe Pierre-Marc “Dr. Hook” Bouchard was so fast with the hook only the razor sharp eyes of Mr. McGeough could see it.
Question about the Wildcatters. Apparently they’re relocating to Ontario, California as a farm team for the Kings. Is another team going to take over as the W’s ECHL team?
Gaborik, Marian - 08-09
Demitra, Pavol - 07-08
Koivu, Mikko - 10-11
Parrish, Mark - 10-11
Bouchard, Pierre-Marc - 07-08*
Rolston, Brian - 07-08
Belanger, Eric - 09-10
Sheppard, James - 09-10*
Boogaard, Derek - 09-10
Radivojevic, Branko - 07-08
Veilleux, Stephane - 07-08*
Foy, Matt - 07-08**
Fedoruk, Todd - 07-08
Pouliot, Benoit - 08-09*
Simon, Chris - 07-08
Kelly, Steve - 07-08
Clutterbuck, Cal - 09-10*
Voros, Aaron - 07-08***
Johnsson, Kim - 09-10
Carney, Keith - 07-08
Schultz, Nick - 13-14
Skoula, Martin - 08-09
Nummelin, Petteri - 07-08
Foster, Kurtis - 07-08*
Hill, Sean - 07-08
Burns, Brent - 11-12
Backstrom, Niklas - 08-09
Harding, Josh - 08-09*
Schaefer, Nolan - 08-09
* RFA.
** Group IV UFA
*** Disputed RFA/UFA status.
Pouliot had some good shifts last night. He does need to work on his defensive positioning though. There were a couple times he was racing back into the slot to cover a guy.
Also, he cleanly lost a couple faceoffs, one in particular half way through the 2nd in the defensive zone that led to a great Avalanche scoring chance.
I’d have to agree with Kurtz and Reed, the call on Koivu was so weak that McGoo wanted to even it up…but then he called that lame arse hook/trip on PMB when the Bobbie Heenan on ice (Forsberg) took a swan dive
the PMB call was way worse than the Koivu call IMO. Butch got his stick blade around Foppa’s wrist and Peter went down like a $10 hooker. At least Koivu arguably did interfere with Forsberg on his penalty.
McGeough’s just a tool, with a theatrical side.
I didn’t think the dive against Forsberg was a bad call at all. McGoo was right there and was going to let the play go with no penalty but when the rook made the call, McGoo decided he better take them both.
Forsberg is the king of the dive. He tries to draw calls probably 3-5 times every game. Now that’s Mickey Mouse.
Chuckle…
Forsberg has played 4 games this season. He has two penalty minutes - diving.
Anyone know of a page which tracks players and the penalties they recieve by type? I’m just curious what % of Forsberg’s penalties have been diving calls.
When we start NW division games later this week, I think Boogie, Fedoruk, and Voros all should dress and take a few shifts, or our Div. enemies will beat up on Demitra, Gabby, PMB, etc. Very important the likes of Phaneuf, Regeher, Burrows, etc. know in the back of their mind that at any given time, if they make a run at said Wild skill guys, they will get crushed. We don’t do that, we don’t have a chance. Message MUST be sent that we won’t allow these guys to push us all over the ice…
I just think if we want to protect our guy, make a run at Pinky or one of the Brain Twins and if Pfenough (thats what I call him)gets out of line we go and knock down THE WILD KILLER (Igilna)
Pouliot has played Awesome two games ago he was a so called bust playing in Houston. so SKILLED
Knight63, who would you recommend replacing in the lineup to have those guys in? Any Suggested Line-ups? I just don’t see the practicality of that. I could see having 2 of the 4 “tough guys” out there on a given night, but not 3 or all 4.
klj, what makes Pull-i-ott so “Awesome”? I saw him working pretty hard, and making some decent passes, but nothing he has done in these two games would make me say he is awesome.
Rob- We make a run at Iginla and the homo refs in Flamerville will give us a double minor if we so much as sneeze on him. Would have to be a clean, legit cruch on him or we would pay dearly. I’m just saying we need to match the physical play with the likes of Cal and Vanc or we are in trouble. We have the guys to do it now, so lets use them as intended.
Austin- I don’t think all three at once and not sure what the line combos should/would be. But they need to see a shift or two out there. not 3or4 a period, just a couple during the game so these guys on Cal and Vanc look over their shoulder before they try to take liberties w/our snipers. The notion they may get crunched can go a long ways in keeping our guys healthy in the upcoming meat-grinder games…
Thanks VoR for the contract info.
In no way do I want to see a full line’s worth of forwards dressed only for a shift or two per game. That effectively brings you to three lines total. And Austin’s dead on: who else comes out? SRV/Radio have been flying the last couple games. Do you pull Parrish and Shep?
This whole idea of bringing in tough guys to make us tougher is missing the entire point IMO.
We didn’t lose to the Fowl because we didn’t have tough guys. We lost to them because the guys we did have weren’t “playoff” tough (among other reasons).
You add Fridge (who I’m willing to set aside here because he’s proven his worth in other areas), Voros (who can’t fight unless the other guy is flat on his back and has a linesman pinning him down apparently), Simon and Boogey and you certainly have tough guys.
But does having those guys make PMB, Foster, Rolston, Demo, Gaby, Johnsson, etc tougher? I’m not talking about willingness to drop ‘em. I’m talking about willingness to sacrifice the body and the will to win the war of attrition in the playoffs. To take a punch in the chops, get back up, spit out your tooth and play on.
If I’m Ryan Kesler and I know that I can take a PMB out of the game and that at worst I only have to contend with our “tough” guys for a shift or two (ie, PMB’s linemates won’t come to his defense) so maybe Vigneault can “hide” me on the bench when those guys are out there…I’m going to step up and take care of business. Mostly because I’m a cheap punk with no respect for the game. But also because there’s no fear of retribution.
Now, if I thought that PMB (or Rolston, or Demo) would step up and pop me in the mouth as soon as I looked at him cross-eyed, then maybe I wouldn’t be so quick to jump him in the first place.
Look at Forsberg. Set aside all the soccer sissy diving, and he threw a hard shoulder into Radio’s melon, battled hard with Burns and Schultz, etc. That’s a skilled guy playing the way you need guys to play in the playoffs. And Foppa isn’t thinking “well I’ve got Ian Laperriere on the bench to protect me!”, I can guarantee you that.
I’m not saying our skill guys should be something they’re not. And they’re never going to be fighters. But if they aren’t willing to pay the price, get their hands dirty, then it doesn’t matter how many “tough guys” we have on our roster.
Very well-said, NiNY, as usual. You should write a book on hockey toughness. I’m sure it would be better than The Code.
NiNY…I couldn’t agree more.
NiNY
Hammer
Nail
Head
NiNY, well put indeed. I think Gabby has shown a great improvement in toughness this season. He has been more willing to throw his body around and get chippy with the opposition in front of the net. Koivu has also shown a fantastic edge since coming back from the leg ‘incident’. I dunno if it’s enough to get them really deep in the SCP, but I hope I am wrong. As far as the tough guys go, I like the idea of having them out there, but I can’t see sitting the likes of Radio (who has been playing lights out lately with the exception of scoring), SRV (who has also been very solid), and Fedoruk (who has much more offensive upside than Boogie and Simon). If a Boogie/Fedork/Simon line could actually put some chances on net and keep the puck out from behind Backs, I would love to see them out there together… but it’s just not practical.
Very well put, Nick.
Now somebody forward that to the Wild locker room.
Nick, the only thing I disagree with is the 4th line issue, which at this time of year is only going to see 3-5 minutes per game tops and maybe 1 shift in the 3rd period. Say we go up on Vancouver by 3 on Friday, wouldn’t you want to have at least the threat of some of the enforcers out there to ensure the skill players aren’t being attacked because the game is out of reach?
Austin: you’re right Gaby has shown some more vinegar this season. I’d like to see him turn that increased blood pressure into points. I think sometimes he gets into the physical side and it gets him off his game a bit. But I’ll take it. As noted above, he had a couple checks last night where the glass moved a little bit!
And I didn’t include Koivu on my flower (not to be confused with Lafleur) list for the same reasons you pointed out.
I should also mention that I saw more gristle out of Foster last night than I had pretty much the entire season combined - so hopefully that’s a sign of things to come.
Wasn’t that their checking line, so it would actually in my mind be their 3rd line?
I’m thinking Parros and that ilk as 4th liners.
El Gato: a fair point. My thing is, as long as we’re using the 2007 Fowl as the measuring stick, their 4th line was money in the playoffs.
Moen/Russo’s BFF/Pahlsson.
The last couple games, I think SRV/Radio/Koivu has played like those guys from last spring. And contributed on the scoresheet. Surely that’s worth more than 3-5 minutes per game. And if it can take some pressure off our top lines…
Sorry, Nick, I’m getting out of order.
Maybe it was…let me put it this way: cetainly having protection is good. But isn’t (PMB, for example) being a badass better?
And I’m not saying I don’t want ANY of them on the bench. I just don’t think we A) need four of them and B) should get lulled into this false sense of security just because they’re there. I think that’s obfuscating the bigger point: that toughness is more than tough guys.
NiNY,
While we all have issues with Forsberg’s diving acts, the thing I’ve liked most about him, is that he is essentially a bada** who can score and skate circles around the average player.
The guy isn’t afraid to mix it up. That is what is making Burns so valuable. Imagine if Rolston with his size, actually played with an edge. He’s put the fear in a lot of players.
FWIW: El Gato’s right. The Fowl 4th line last playoffs consisted of a combination of Miller, May, Thornton, Shannon and the Stache.
Nick, wasn’t that the 4th line that jumped Hall and sucker punched Kimmy when we had the 4 goal lead? That’s why you will need to have at least 2 or 3 on the bench.
Nick, right now Parrish needs to step up his game somehow or he’s going to be manning the popcorn machine with Foy and the others.
El Gato: I was May that popped Kim, so yes, I think it was that line.
We had Boogey on the bench, and he is (was?) the most feared tough guy in the league at the time. Would the Fowl not have set upon poor Kimmy and Adam had we had another tough guy on the bench? What if we had three tough guys on the bench? What’s the magic number of tough guys on the bench to ensure minimal beat downs?
What if Kimmy and Adam (who, in fairness, got double teamed) and the rest of our guys were just more salty in general? Take Kimmy out because he was sucker punched and sustained a concussion. But you see my point, no?
Well put NINY but I’m just saying having the crunchers out a few shifts per game,not on a regular line taking shift after shift. I think it will help and yes it would be nice if the skilled guys get down and dirty but other than Gabby occasionally and Koivu, they don’t.
Thornton and Miller were the 2 that double teamed Hall also I think. Yes, I do see your point. Obviously when Boogaard hit the ice after the incident Carlyle told the team not to fight him (of course, all of their goons were in the box and did you think either Pronger or Neiderlanne were going to drop the purse). Yes, I would like to see our team more salty, but they have proven time and time again that many of them are not. Now if a donnybrook in proportion to the Stars/Bruins brawl breaks out in one of the last 9 games, then I will have some hope for the overall toughness of the team.
NiNY,
Sadly some players are just scum, and Brad May’s actions last spring were case-in-point.
Boogie, BGL, Simon, Jody Shelly, Bob Probert, Tie Domi and Shane Churla could have all been on the ice for the WILD, and May would have still taken that sucker punch on Kimmy!
I do think that this year’s team does and SHOULD feel a bit tougher by osmosis.
We now have 4 guys (Boogie, Fridge, AV, & Simon) willing to drop the gloves in order to protect our stars, plus another group of guys who LATELY have shhown that they aren’t afraid of playing physical (SRV, Radio, Shep, Burns, Foster, Schultz, Koivu).
Does this mean we have all the pieces needed to win the cup?
Nah, but it should hopefully make it harder for teams to get by us.
That would be interesting to see.
In Calgary.
420 penalty minutes.
Saturday.
Damp: fair enough. And I agree about Forsberg. I can’t stand the diving, but I love that he plays with that much sack all the time.
Hopefully there’s something to your osmosis theory.
Damp: I should edit that to say that he plays with that much sack all the time, except when he’s diving.
I’m going to try to catch a bit of Okposo’s debut, and then Flames/BJs (a hot BJ?) and Caps/Preds tonight.
Safe home, Russoville!
ss6…but not too much inventorying…that would be Ned Braden-like…
Cool…I did a prequel!!!
Yes, Nick your point is crystal clear. Boogie, Fridge nor Simon can be hopping the bench everytime someone takes a shot at Gaborick. So they all need to reach into those breezers and do a little inventory before the playoffs can be a thought.
I know that Huskins was the original guy that tied up with Adam Hall. I forget the second guy in, though.
You kj are good…
… and confirmed that Shawn Thornton was the second guy in the Hall-Huskins square-off.
The second guy in was Shawn Thornton.
I think the Wings have the same problem…..no nads. I don’t think they’ll get far.
kj said:
That would be interesting to see.
In Calgary.
420 penalty minutes.
Saturday.
kj: You willing to pay for my private security which my traveling party (of 4) will need to get out of the Saddledome after that 420-minute penalty-fest Saturday night?
Hey, I saw the Wild-Bruins fight that night way back when…
yea but Ned couldn’t find his….just ask his wife.
That would be kinda funny. Who would you nominate to be the “Ned Braden” of the Wild. Who of the Wild would you bet to be the first to “Ned Braden”? Anybody, Anybody……
WRT…Wild-Bruins???
Oh, you mean the South Stars…
Burns. Braden.
I’m having a mind-freeze …
Please explain the Ned Braden references?
I remember watching that Boston-Minnesota game years ago. I was amazed to see bobby Smith fight.
What a game.
Yes definitly Burns. But wouldn’t it be funny to Demitra or Backstrom go Braden…Can you see Backstrom doing the duck walk around the arena Ned Braden like!! That would get some looks.
At the end of “Slap Shot” when the big fight breaks out and Ned Braden does his famous or infamous strip tease.
There’s your Ned Braden reference, Damp.
Is this the game you guys are referencing:
Boogie out of all our tough guys is the only one that strikes palpable fear in the other team…their guys are worried about being crushed - that can’t be ignored or underestimated. But then Boogie is only on the ice for 5 minutes a game. I don’t know, I just think our skill guys play with more confidence and physicality knowing that Boogie has their back during a game and that there will be retribution for a cheap shot.
We’ll see as time goes on, but last night Boggie was back(even though I didn’t think they needed to play him cuz Colorado isn’t cheap like the Ducks or Canucks) and not too coincidentally we won our 1st game against a quality team in about 3 weeks. He sets a tone that the others on the team feed off of that as I reflect on it, this team needs whether or not an opposing tough guy is playing.
Damps… Bobby Smith fight??? really? did he win? Did the stars win that game?
kj: Did I mix up the Stars and Wild??
I gotta stop blog commenting and trying to pack at the same time…
Boogaard, for his long-term future, needs to learn his role needs to be to take up space in front of the net (and really get the Grease sizzling hot) and learn to bang in goals. The days of the cross-rink body check need to be over.
I believe the Stars lost that game, which at least at the time set a record for PIMs. However, the Stars and Bruins met again in the playoffs that season, with the Stars sweeping the series. They had previously never won at the Boston Garden.
Just double-checked. North Stars-Bruins in 1981 set the NHL record for PIMs at 406. That was later broken by Sens-Flyers in 2004 with 419 PIMs
Ah Hockey dad, those were the days!
Hockeydad has the same recollections that I do. The Stars lost the game but came back a few days later to play the Bruins in the playoffs and won twice in Boston and the third when they got back to the MetCenter.
I think Bobby Smith held is own, as did the other guys.
ss6 said “What about Voros? Now that the BoogieMan is back is it all over for “The Hammer”?”
Not to get fussy but we already signed the Hammer on the team to a 21 million, 6 year deal, seeing as Hammer is Schultz’s nickname.
That’s why I said 420 minutes in Calgary…
I think if it comes to that we’ll all be saying…WWWRTD:
What Would Wild Road Tripper Do…
345 Comments = time for din-din Don. We’re hungry!
I can’t believe I forgot Ned Braded from Slapshot the movie!
I OWN that movie, and have watched about 50 times. I am getting old and senile for sure!
Thanks for the reminder SS6
[…] to ease below 3 percent by the end of 2008. …http://www.guardian.co.uk/feedarticle?id=7425182Wild??s 3-1 win over Colorado Boogey??s BackWild??s 3-1 win over Colorado Boogey??s Back Posted on march 17th, 2008 ?? 3:58 PM By Michael Russo […]
