Wednesday’s game vs. San Jose
Posted on March 19th, 2008 – 8:50 PMBy Michael Russo
OK, ready to go here soon. Mike Ramsey’s picture is taped to glass behind the bench for good luck.
By the way, I did a notebook lead for Thursday on the Wild’s optional practices and their genesis. I think it’s real interesting stuff. Basically, it was Brian Rolston’s idea.
Also, Derek Boogaard was pretty funny in giving me the play-by-play in his scream match with Cody McLeod the other night.
Also, check out this Canadian Press story on the Calgary Flames. Every facet of the story could be on the Wild. Not just the obvious about make-or-break time, but the team’s season-long inconsistency. It’s been pretty much the same story for every team in the division — lots of ups, lots of downs.
OK, talk to you after.
Second period starting. Jacques Lemaire giving it to ref Brad Watson for not calling the trip on Skoula, which led to the pretty 3-on-1 Roenick tally.
– I WILL GIVE FOSTER INFO AS WE GET IT. Taken off on a stretcher after 12-minute delay following his being hit from behind by Torrey Mitchell.
Wild’s update: Taken to a local hospital with a leg injury.
470 Responses to "Wednesday’s game vs. San Jose"
How’s the weather in the arena, Don?
It’s 34, raining and flooding here.
Nincely done Kevin.
Lots of games on right now. The Quackers and South Stars are going at it pretty nicely right now. Is there a way that both of these teams can lose tonight?
I just had to tease the Don again. All good-natured, I assure you.
And funny you ask that, Austin. I’ve got Brodeur on my fantasy team and my friend was saying, “can we get him to get a shutout but lose in the shootout so we can catch the Devils?” Well, the jerk had to go lose in the shootout, but failed to get the shutout.
If it helps, I had Dan Ellis last night. Also, my opponent has Lundqvist (that’s a triple-wammy in the last two days if you’re keeping score.)
Last week, my goalies carried me to victory (even with me benching Carey Price when he got his shutout) while the offense lagged. So far the offense is working and the goalies aren’t.
Well my fantasy goalie tonight is Kolzig… I don’t really want to talk about that. My fantasy season is looking like it’s over.
Anyone know where I can find a photo of Mike Ramsey? I want to hang one up too!
Mike Ramsey is now hanging next to my computer. GO WILD!
Damn FSN making me watch the end of the Timberpuppies game.
I have an autographed picture of Rammer.
Kevin not much is working on my fantasy squad right now. I need Gabby and Rolston to have huge games tonight.
This should be a tough game.. I hope we come out and stick it to them.
Man, the wolves’ game is going long…that’ll really T me off
Thanks Kevin…
Bandgeek…you win.
WL, I got the HD CI feed and it’s working fine. My regular feed has the Wild now too.
Worthless bouncyball and CI is blacked out because it is on FSN.
RG, i need one too if you can find one.
THis time issue really needs to be looked at.
I can’t stand basketball..this is agonizing
NiNY, I have the same thing.. that melon is SHINY!
There’s stupid basketball on my Center Ice. Anybody having that issue?
Wow, someone tell Washington that their game started…
If your getting the FSN feed you have to wait for the Wolves game to finish. Smurfing basketball.
I got my picture last summer at the Summer Bash in Rice Park, he signed my hat and gave me a signed photo, top notch guy Rammer.
I’ve got Drew Remenda’s gleaming forehead on my screen, thank you very much.
You said NiNY
why in the h3ll do they let them foul like that at the end of a game? I hate basketball…did I mention that?
Good God, it’s been stuck under 30 secs forever in this wolves game. No wonder I don’t watch them.
that ATX. I guess i’ll just have to wait out the Wolves for 30 more seconds
Off to sopcast I go…f’ing last 30 seconds will take 30 mins
I also have Rammer’s picture courtesy of Kevin’s link….it will be hilarious if we all do this and they win tonight….then we’ll ALL have to do it Friday night, and Saturday…
OK boys, I’m not feeling so hot and should probably try to get some sleep, but I’m gonna see how we play in the first. I hope we have some jump.
Haha, I wish NiNY!
High energy so far!! Crazy!
Why are they still showing this?!
any other sport besides hockey is gay! 
That’s just my opinion!
that was close
Watching the game live tonight, eh, Austin…did you get a promotion?
Hopefully me not hanging up the picture won’t ruin anything. But hey, I linked it, so that’s gotta count for something.
And I don’t want Rolston to have a big game, Austin.. Burns! That’s who.
ATX, do we look good thus far?
uh-oh…Nik has his Rebound 4000 pads on tonight it looks like…
Kevin, enablers are a crucial part to all unhealthy choices, and we appreciate it!
That was Koivu centering Roli and Gabby?
Greg, it’s been very back-and-forth so far. They just showed Boogie playing wing with Gabby and Demo… weird.
Is Ron Wilson retired Air Force?
Stupid smurfing basketball. Takes 10 minutes to finish 30 seconds. I want hockey!!!!!!!! And now we have to watch commercials, give me my game you freaks of nature…..
Finally!! I never thought I’d be so glad to hear dumb and dumber.
I’m hoping for a 1-0 Wild win tonight since I have Nabakov on my fantasy team.
I try to help out my brethren, and sistren, when I can.
NiNY, I saw the girl there too.. is WRT at this one too??
sort of back and forth, Greg…Nik has already had one very close call
yaaaaaa it’s FINALLY on!
toivo’s at this game, right? I say that as we look at the lady in the red wild sweathshirt behind our bench.
Man, this would be a good win. I want it so badly.
we better sacrifice a Shark to appease Bandgeek here…
Oh yeah, I remember that now. Thanks NiNY.
No Nick you get water from a cistern. I helped excavate one a few summers ago at the historic site I work at, not pretty but some interesting garbage inside.
LOL @ sistren…here I thought that was where you get water…
Damn Gabby!
Austin: WRT’s wandering the streets of Seattle, peering into windows trying desperately to find someone with CI.
Boogey!
Come on Gaborik, make a damn move once in a while!
Looks like Boogie is back.
ha…they’re talking about Rammer’s picture on the bench on the Sharks’ broadcast.
ONLY BOOGIE could have done that, not Fedoruk, not Simon
Boogey must’ve been reading the blog and took inspiration from it.
Did Boogie just fight for the fun of it?? He had a big smile on his face in the box.
YES!!!! That’s my boy Boogey!! I love those quick little jabs while hanging onto the jersey.
Gaby!! grr…lets see, breakaway? Check. snap shot, low stick side? Check. Save? Check..
Austin..thats exactly what that was.
that’s a win for Boogey. Shelley’s bleeding from at least one cut.
Bertuzzi just scored with 27 seconds left.
at least demitra shot that time
Crap, two great rushes and we’ve got nothing.
Ducks 2 Stars 1 final
Gabby need to bury those…get some f’ing moves from Nummelin
Scott, that is a Bonus. Demo didn’t have much room to pass either, so he really had no choice.
NiNY, these Sharks announcers LOVE Rammer. They seem to enjy the Wild as a whole really. I like it.
BTW…when the WIld get their first pp, rub Rammer’s bald head…
Wasn’t that a hand pass there?
Is it just me or when Boogey took his helmet off did his hair look a little like Wolverine’s.
I’m sorry I need to say it, yes Thorton those pants make your but look big.
Who was on for those three failed clears?
I don’t mind Remenda at all.
I like Gabby’s tenacity thus far.
Great… Hill and Skoula together and that’s what we get. Not suprised. bad pass by Puliot.
We deserved that. Problem started long before Skouba.
Crap.
skoula out hill out
carney in
i have no idea why jacques hates carney but loves skoula
Skoula stepped on dude’s stick… that sucked. Pulliot’s pass was not wise at all.
that was NOT skoula’s fault!
I’ve think I’ve seen more people at a peewee game than are at this game.
So, who’s gonna lay into their teammates at the break? We need a leader for games like this.
Well that was a great way to finish several minutes for very sloppy play by the Wild. Nice way to start the play by Skoula, and Hill finished it off by not bothering to make any attempt to stop the rushers. Might as well have been a 3-0
nice job Skoula
Great Defensemen Skoula + Johnsson+ Foster = No Playoffs or 1st round KO!!! Figure it out, only one team dumb enough to make Johnsson the eleventh highest paid Defenseman in the NHL.
Not a bad period. A bad break there on that goal but I think they are playing them better today than they did a week and a half ago.
When did the Wild become the worst-passing team in the league? This is appalling.
Rogue: yeah…Benny was brutal on that shift.
Bulldog…at least we didn’t make Johnsson the tenth highest paid defensmen.
Why can’t we get a defensemen, Oh we might have to trade Benoit Toilet.. Can’t do that. Brian Burke won’t have any Euros not named Selanne
Yeah Backs was hung out to dry on that one..
Nice interview, what the hell was that?
WildLover: I will agree that other people F’d up on that shift that lead to that situation, but Skoula had no reason to try to hold the zone there…and he ended up on his butt in doing so. I am not blaming him for the goal. But he didn’t help either.
NiNY…took the words right out of my mouth.
BandGeek, they said it was a sellout… so go figure.
Great period until about 2 minutes left. Awful passing and terrible transition… too many giveaways. I really really hate Old Man Hill.
Great we get teh Burns’ pets bit on the Sharks feed.
while tonight is important if we take care of business the rest of the trip we will be hard to knock out of 1st place
Johnsson is making the second biggest check on the Wild this season???? Can’t trade him
when he’s set to make more over the next two seasons
NiNY, he was trying to get the pass that was poorly thrown. Where was everybody else on that play?
now watch the Sharks pull all five back between the top of the crease and the dots and just squeeze the life right out of this game.
yeah I’m here. About 20 feet from Gorg and Josh Harding. A couple of smokin hotties were just getting their photo snapped in front of me. Life is good!
Except for that trouble clearing the zone and the, uh, play by Skoula at the blue line. Time to forrage me a Fat Tire! Did I say life is good?
I had to back the DVR up twice just to hear Gorg cut off Gabby on that interview. Strange. I guess they had to be sure to get their commercials in and start the Face Off on time.
We are again plagued by an inability to bury the puck. We had two great rushes and came away with nothing. But, this game is far from over.
Calgary is going to work us, we might beat Vancouver. Calgary per man is probably the second toughest team in the league next to Anaheim. The Coach doesn’t bench them if they stick up for a teammate
Brent Burns: Zookeeper.
Bulldog, maybe but they worked the BJ’s and lost 3-0. They have been inconsistent also.
Look at the San Jose Defensemen compared to ours, Burns would be the only one who would crack the line up, maybe Schultz but that’s it.
love the dedication to Russoville, toivo. Thanks for thinking of us!
Wow Bulldog, could you be more negative? Have a glass of kool-aid man.
Hey toivo, make sure you jump up and wave your arms frantically when the camera pans by your section.. oh wait, only douchebags in Detroilet do that… nevermind.
Woodcock, Calgary is built to make a playoff run in the west.
Bulldog, their D let up 2 breakaways. You would be going nuts if our guys did that.
Bulldog, Willie Plett, Good old Wally, etc. - how deep did CGY get last year?
I’m just frustrated, because we just don’t get it as far as our Defensemen are concerned.
Now that I saw a replay on that goal, wasn’t Marleau’s stick in between Skoula’s legs? 99% of the time, they’d call tripping on such a play.
120% of the time when the ref is Mr. Magoo.
I’d say the rate is about 60%, Wallshot.
That’s the only thing between Skoula’s legs especially when there’s a crowd in the crease….LOL
That goal was almost all on Pulliot’s dumb pass. Hill should have made more of an attempt to break that up too. It was not Skoula’s fault in the least. It was unfortunate that he tripped over dude’s stick, but he was trying to cover for B-b-b-benny’s bad pass.
Let’s get it going here in the second!
WoO!!
nice!
Nice tip by SRV!!!!
Wooooo Go Steph!!
WOW is all i can say
FOZZIE!! What a pass! And SRV finishes!
all SRV does is score goals
Ouch. That was a sick backhander.
crap
are you kidding?..old backs is back damn it
LMAO.. @ Hockeydad…that was brilliant.
The Wild are due a win against this team…
Ha - did you guys catch the pronunciation by the arena PA man? Stephan “Ve-loo.”
And as soon as I type that, the Wild give up another.
Mother Smurfer!
oh man, but for 8 inches off the ice, Demo has a goal on that.
Skoula must not have caught too much hell for that goal because he just pinched AND left his feet! Ha.
Alright, time to puts some goals together for the goalie who has stolen so many points the last couple of weeks.
Ouch. Fozzie looked akward there. That is not good.
Ouch
there’s that softie we’ve been waiting for the last 3 games.
major, major, major.
PS where was the deterrence there?
well, that blows
if all this is is a 2min trip, thats bs
If I have any lip reading skills at all, i read “yeah, it’s broken”
Well…. pisser.
Um.. because I’m still bitter over the Pens’ putrid performance last night, and misery loves company. 
man, Kevin…why’d you have to post that link to the picture of Rammer?!?
Foster is hurt here.
calf?
How are we going to respond??? Let’s skate with em
Dirty play. Bad goal by Backs.
Nice to see ML can back me up
How is that not five?
Wow, we could do without this.
Hockeydad, I agree!
Man, if Fozzie has a broken leg that means we are stuck with Old Man Hill and Carney for the remainder? Maybe Nummy gets dusted off??
left knee?
Very unfortunate total cheap shot he made no play on the puck
OK, Russo - this timing/ordering of the posts has now officially become annoying. Very hard to follow the conversation.
Poor guy, that’s gotta hurt like hell. Not sure I would want guys on skates lifting my board onto the stretcher.
Bust knee doesn’t bode well for Foster. Some teams might respond with some fight and some passion. I bet the Wild falls into a lull and they’re done scoring for the night.
Broken leg/ankle. Trainer mouthed just before the commercial “it’s broken”.
NiNY I agree. They are being really respectful.
Man do I feel bad for Foster. The past couple of seasons have not been nice to him. I hope he gets well soon. I have a sneaking suspicion we won’t see him until next year though.
DAMN YOU MIKE RAMSEY!!!
did you see the linesman in there trying to keep the guys off Foster?
wow…he’s in some serious pain.
Seeing that replay, I bet he just destroyed that left knee.
props to the Sharks guys for being fair and balanced on this.
NiNY - what are the Sharks guys sayin?
I broke my kneecap in a very similar play in high school. When its your knee, you know right away.
If you draw blood and get an extra 2 minutes, what does a broken bone draw?? no extra minutes on the up coming power play. Something is wrong with this league
they’re saying the kid shouldn’t have hit him…it wasn’t intentional, but he has to lay off him…calling for the auto icing call…saying nice things about Fozzie in general…
yeha NINY I noticed that too..Roenick looks very concerned as well
FSN’s broadcast is absolutely horrible!
“Appalling?” What?
It’s not Torrey Mitchell’s fault. At least Mitchell had class enough to check on Foster! It’s the NHL’s fault for not changing this stupid and dangerous rule! Don Cherry has been lobbying for change for years!
These announcers should learn about hockey before opening their mouths!
Nick re: your 10:49 post, that’s cause the Sharks aren’t thugs and douches like some other Cali team I could mention.
notice the kid put his hand on Fozzie immediately…he knew he hurt him and felt shame. Then JR over there talking to Foster as he was getting help…lots of respect to the sharks here for doing the right thing.
Wow DICE, you are way off base there. What are D&D saying about the play??
NiNY, who would he dance with?
NiNY…Did Naslund?
will Mitchell have to throw down at some point in this game?
This ones on Campbell, Bettman, and NHLPA. No respect for one another out there.
The refs should be totally embarrassed. 2 min?
Boogey go after Thorton, slash him in the wrist or leg two handed premeditated. You’ll only get 4 games!
man how about JR helping lift him up…but none of Fozzie’s team mates helping?!
Wow,it hurts just watching that. I hope they are just being very careful and it is not a compound fracture.
Not much to judge from yet, but I think this team is actually responding with a little energy following injury.
When will the NHL start calling checking from behind? The problem isn’t touch icing, it is checking from behind. I see about two or three checks from behind a game, and the only thing that ever gets called is boarding.
Time thing giving me a headache. Nick I did see some of our guys try to help but were waved back by the medics. Night all I’m watching the rest from bed, just incase I fall asleep.
How about scoring on this powerplay to start it off.
Sharks aren’t dirty..don’t think there has to be a “retaliation”
Yeah RM you’re right. Checking from behind into the boards on an icing is real hockey. Where did you learn your hockey–Slap Shot?
Someone needs to be disciplined after that whole incident poor call by the refs. However i have to commend the Sharks very classy with Roenick and Mitchell I know he didn’t intend to hurt the guy but it was still reckless what he did
Oh man, geez, my thoughts go out to Kurtis Foster.
Nice gestures by Mitchell and J.R after the hit.
Mr. Dude, you are very wrong. Ideally, players would approach the boards at an angle. Touch icing requires that players fly straight at the boards, with sticks tangled, reaching for the puck. It’s inevitable that players will destroy their legs, shoulders and/or suffer concussions. Mitchell shoved Foster some, sure, but it was the combined momentum headed straight on at the boards that caused this injury. The NHL should be ashamed!
Now they should have a little pity on us and let us put one in
That should be reviewed.
You do NOT push from behind going into the boards.
WTF?
Austin Tx. Was just there for SWSX. Nice music, not the town I heard it was though. No F**ing cabs!
Not a lot of hockey down there. Off base? Maybe.
AustinTX, its called the code. Buy the book. Learn it. Live it. Mitchell has to step up this game NiNY . Jody Shelly was telling him what was coming!
Woodcock, that was hardly a check. Where did you learn hockey? Evidently, you were one of 9 fans to attend this year’s Girls’ State High School Hockey Tournament. You’re just as bad as our bush league broadcast team.
Just because I live in TX doesn’t mean I don’t know Hockey. I know what the code is. Don’t insut me. I know the code, and I am pretty damn sure it doesn’t call for going out and intentionally injuring a star player in retaliation for an accidental injury. Sure it was a bit reckless; but the kid was just trying to keep the play alive.
Are you children done insulting each other yet?
I was right. Slap Shot.
THat should be “insult”
Did they say earlier that the Ref’s can’t/wont review it? WHY?
Very clever–girls hockey. Back into your hole RM.
I guess not.
Oh look, hockey.
RM you are so wrong, he was hit from behind. That is the bottom line. You can still hit the puck without making contact with another player. It has nothing to do with the touch icing.
The kid pushed him off balance.
He knew it too.
He’ll be suspended.
Sadly it means more Hill the rest of the game.
DICE..that’s what we usually do.
DICE, just watch the game. I am in no mood to argue with you. I am not saying the kid shouldn’t fight someone, but you don’t sesnd a headhunter on the ice as you suggested.
Sadly it means more Hill the rest of the game.
And maybe the rest of the season.
Whatever, Clown. You’re disagreeing with the fact that Foster would still be playing if it weren’t for a stupid rule?
You are a reactionary fool, incapable of being objective when it’s a Wild player injured.
Good luck in your up and coming ringette tournament.
Slap Shot is a fantastic movie.
Oh I see. We should just say oopsie. Sorry, hope your leg isn’t hurt.
On the net Rolston!
DICE you say that like I would care. I don’t Love TX. I am not from here. Your insults are not working. I am officially ignoring you now.
NiNY, is your SJ feed flickering on and off at all?
KIDS!!! Are we all edgy after this hit???? WHY didn’t the Ref’s review it???
Seriously he wasn’t run from behind RM. Seriously? Really? When I grew up playing you never touched a guy going in for icing with his back to you.
They should suspend Campbell, Bettman or whoever is responsible for that rule, without pay.
Somebody give Texas to Mexico.
kj: 1 game…IF THAT. Don’t forget…Campbell can trot out the “hockey play” saw.
Give DICE to the Ducks fans.
wondering the same thing Wildlover, I don’t understand when and where they can review.
Well, that was a disappointing period.
LOL!!!
Austin: yes it is, and it’s just adding to my mood..
So, has the C given Gabby stage fright or what?
Two periods in and the Wild have a good chance to get point(s) in this game.
The Mitchell hit was wreckless and dangerous, but there wasn’t any intent to injure. There should be a small suspension handed out as a sign of respect, to send the message that you can’t take liberties with vulnerable players.
Does the play fit “the Code?” I’m not sure about that. Normally that situation would result in an immediate fight while Foster is still laying on the ice. That didn’t happen so I suspect it won’t happen in this game.
NiNY, I am in the same boat… it is really annoying. It seems to have calmed down a bit though.
LoL @ AiH.
This is where we need some steely leadership in the room…settle the guys down, refocus on Belanger-ing the Sharks in the third….Gaby! It’s your time buddy (yeah right).
FOSTER WOULD STILL BE PLAYING IF HE DIDN’T GET RUN FROM BEHIND. Once again you can’t hit someone without the puck. You can still touch the puck without touching/running a D from behind. That is exactly what happened.
NiNY…so true, so true.
The player (Mitchell) did more than touch him. He knocked Foster off stride.
He knew.
Maybe Shelley will want to fight Boogaard again
“refocus on Belanger-ing the Sharks in the third”
NiNY, this is a new term I am unfamiliar with. Help me out.
Bandgeek, from earlier. You think D&D are bad? How about “bounce pass down deep, now back out, pass out of the hands of _____?
If they put an air splint on Foster’s leg, then it’s almost certainly a broken bone, no?
But NiNY, moving on would take away the fun of hurling silly insults back and forth over something none of us has any control over. Move on? Pah! There’s no room here for logic of that kind!
ok kids…perspective please…
This is a chicken and egg scenario. Fozzie isn’t busting for the puck (and neither is Mitchell) if the auto icing is in effect. But since it isn’t, then Mitchell needs to be mindful of not shoving a guy from behind.
Move on.
Let RM live in his fantasy tough guy land. Slap Shot was a good movie–but it wasn’t hockey. Guess you haven’t figured that part out yet. By the way I would prefer the college rule on icing. Doesn’t mean I think a player should hit another player from behind into the boards on icing though. And, I would say the same thing had it been a Wild player doing that. Go back to your monster truck magazines.
With no intent, if there is a suspension, I would say it’ll be very short.
If he is suspended I agree it should be short. No intent to injure–just careless disregard.
woodcock, can you see me right now? How did you know I was reading my monster truck mags?
As you should be, Nick. Don’t let it happen again.
Still laughing. Just my point Houston. Even on a Blog a person can be irritated and taken off their game. You and Austin are easily “insulted” which is making my night. The code really works! two handed chop aside. Ducks, well I was at the Ducks games this year. But I know this blog hates it season ticket holders.
If you guys want to meet in front of the net, I’d be happy to see ya there.
PS. My brother lives in TX.
Kevin, my apologies. I am chastened.
DOn’t worry NiNY, if we tried to meet in front of the net we’d get there all out of order and you’d be two minutes early!
Mr. Dude, I will agree that the shove (not hit) was somewhat reckless. If you had any experience playing the game of hockey in anything other than the Swedish Petite League, you’d know that it’s a fast-paced, dangerous game. Unfortunate things, such as this, happen in the blink of an eye. I think Mitchell’s reaction to Foster’s injury is indicative of the lack of intent. Maybe he gets a small suspension, but the fact remains that the rule is cause for many season and career-ending injuries. You cannot argue that point. You really need to check cbc.ca and watch Grapes. You might learn something about hockey.
I’ll fight you, Nick.
Ah yes, now they’re talking real hockey. Final five tourney!
DICE, you really did noting to insult me except for questioning my knowledge of hockey. It’s easy to be tough over the internets. Headhunting is not hockey and you know it… you were just acting on a knee-jerk reaction. Just sit back and enjoy the rest of the game. Hope for Foster to have a quick recovery.
Classy move by Roenick on the Foster injury.
kj, I truly envy your ability to take every team or player name and emasculate it. Its a gift…
did we really just get a challenge to a fight in here? Seriously.
I was never a big fan of the no-touch icing, but I got season tickets for UMD this year and my mind has changed a little.
I like the fact that a forechecker can keep the play alive by beating out a defenseman, but I also like the fact that you don’t have to wait for someone to touch up with the no-touch rule. I know it’s not a lot of time wasted coming back, but that extra time would help late in games.
NiNY. No. Note the wink.
Careless disregard…didn’t that get ProngHer 8 games???
DICE: good…just clearing that up.
Woodcock, that is fine you like college icing. I prefer pros, especially where you can’t change lines on an icing call. However I feel that checking from behind happens more than just an icing call. It happens way too much, and when it does get called all that is ever called is boarding. Which I feel is a worthless penalty to begin with.
Hey Minnesota Wild, what do you say you got out and win a point or two in the third period?!?
The one-touch icing definitely adds to suspense. The question is whether or not the suspense is worth the risk of severe injury.
I agree BDS, but if Backs allowed a soft goal a game and we could score more than 2, I’d take his daily soft goal.
Do they count the Mitchell play on Foster a hit???
KJ, I’d say
Mon goals = 3 = win
Wed goals = 1 = loss
I agree that there are definitely two sides to the icing issue (and I do like the pros rule of no line changes) and it does sometimes create excitement by the possibility of keeping the play alive. But, it can too often lead to what we just saw. And most times it results in a mere touchup.
God, just saw the replay of the second goal. Backs just have to make that save, argh.
Go back to Monday.
No softie = win.
Softie = loss.
Thanks for the levity with your update, Don Russo!
Mr Dude. Checking from behind in college is 5 min and a game when it happens against the boards. Same should happen in the NHL IMHO.
I like no touch icing. I also like the no change on icing. Brett Hull said in the Hockey News a couple years ago that he thought icing should be delay of game!
The question should come down to, is the slight chance of added excitement worth the risk (however slight or large) of serious injury?
Players’ safety should come first. I don’t care what they’re getting paid.
I was never a big fan of the no-touch icing, but I got season tickets for UMD this year and my mind has changed a little.
No touch icing on the sheet at the DECC - scary.
What do you folks think of Pouliot, so far?
too true BDS.
RM posted the question I posted and I didn’t notice. Woops!
No-touch icing? For what those players are getting paid and price of tickets, they better scramble that extra 45 feet or so.
RM, Pull-I-Ott has not been good in this game IMO. The last two he was not bad.
DOn’t worry NiNY, if we tried to meet in front of the net we’d get there all out of order and you’d be two minutes early!
LMAO
That was weak, Mr. Dude.
This Setoguchi guy is playing well. Cheechoo’s been absolutely invisible.
RG - Can’t win if we dont’ score, agreed.
It just seems that we very rarely score the softie but I guess that is the famous “no puck - Luck”.
We need at least a point!
Tom Reid is reading my posts.
Any chance Jean Beliveau runs a summer face-off camp the Wild can send Pouliot to?
Thanks for the ruling ont checking from behind DICE. I have never been to Sweden but, are you familuar with RM’s Swedish Petite League? That sounds like something RM would get busted on Dateline for?
Nice Burns drew teh penalty.
Mr Dude, now that’s funny!
yahhh
Wooo! Gabby!
That’ll do Gaborik!!
YES
GABBY!
A hostile crowd tonight!
To think I was hoping some of you would show up this Saturday at the Blue Fox… 
Gabby-all is forgiven.
Please please please Backs…don’t give up the 3rd…PLEASE!
Lookie, NiNY - I posted that 3 mins prior. Just knew he was going to score.
I’d imagine the mood gets a little brighter around here now.
THIS TIMING THIS IS NOW MORE ANNOYING THAN COWBOYS (and all CAPS)!
odd game from Backs so far…he’s made some tough saves, but he’s giving up rebounds all over the place, and of course the softie….
If it’s a broken leg he’ll only be out a week right. I heard that earler this season on another broken leg.
Hey RM - if you are getting your info from “grapes” as you call him, you are severly misinformed. Isn’t Grapes the same guy that spent an entire overrated segment in February breaking down the slapshot that Phaneuf took against Backstrom in a February shootout…Your boy Grapes said that Phanuef’s action caused so much strife, that even Rolston took a slapshot right after him…Yeah - great point, the one time he doesn’t spend 2 minutes blabbering on about the Maple Leafs, he gets his “info” wrong…That guy is brutal and all hype…But I guess when you only get 7 channels north of the border, you get what you get…
Lean something RM and do us all a favor on here.
I SECOND THAT HOCKEYDAD!!!
Hey Dumb! It’s Wooster. Not Werechester. For those of you not watching the game, he said Setoguchi was just called up from Worcester.
Thorton? A penalty? No.
GABY!!
Where have all the cowboys gone?
GOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!
While a win would be nice - really nice, actually - even 1 point would be very helpful to maintain some distance.
LOUD NOISES!!!!
Grapes, as I call him (??) understands the game better than anyone and is pure class. Your boys, Gorg and Greenlay, could “lean” something.
Mr. Winkey/Winter (whatever), you are sorely misinformed and the Hockey Gods will frown on your comment.
Any chance now that its tied we win?
I did hear the Worchester. I guess he also uses Worchestershire sauce. Nice goal. Did somebody say something in the locker room. We look a little feistier.
oh boogey
Stop him before he gets Fedoruked again…
THIS = THING up there at 11:40
DICE, I have seen him out there a few times.
interesting tidbit found on espn.com:
“The Toronto Star’s Paul Hunter recently produced a breakdown of the number of players NHL teams have drafted who are currently playing in the league, either for their own team or another. The Thrashers were tied for dead last with Minnesota.”
Poor Shelly, Boogie cracks his face open so he goes after Fridge. Maybe Boogey should go after Mitchell.
Has Mitchell had a shift since hitting Foster?
WHat are you talking about BDS, the blog is totally normal! :-> (old school)
I had two beers and four long island iced teas last night.. I was in a happy place.
(This is in response to Nick’s telling BDS to have another glass, but I suspect it’ll show up a couple “minutes” before his post.)
What’s up with the blog tonight? I know I’ve had two glasses of scotch but WTF. It’s driving me crazy.
I’m drinking Kokanee
BDS: I suggest having another glass. That always does the trick for me.
RM..are you in the Northwest?
NiNY, Fat Tire baby, Fat Tire!
C’mon…shoot!!!
Maybe Skoula will score another game-winner and we can see some emotion. That would be weird.
I don’t like how well the Sharks are dictating the pace…the Wild need to dig deep here
I’m taking a tour of Islay tonight…and I SWEAR I just saw another slapper from Skoula…my TV must be broken.
Burnsie DROPS Grier!
Details at 11…
I wonder how Grier is doing… looks like Burns got him to fall down and get a boo-boo somewhere.
Grapes is a buffoon - and he is your idea of “class”, then I don’t know if your lack of ethics or your ignorance rates higher on the scale.
Grapes spends 2 minutes a week using his high-school education to spew stereotypes about Europeans.
Yeah - very classy. Your arguments are getting weaker by the post. Keep em coming, they are good for comic relief in a tense playoff run.
Skoula doesn’t need a line to trip over…
Yes, it is another prequel!
NiNY - Yeap, I better have another one just not sure if alcohol and this blog is mixing very well tonight.
Just hold me back if I try to meet someone in front of the net later on, OK.
That a boy, Burns!
Wow, great shoulder by Shep.
Was the slapper before or after Skoula in explicably fell down? Or was tripped or?
In a minute, NiNY will complement a check by James Sheppard. I have foreseen it.
Do not step on the puck.
If that is what really happened. Tough to trust D & D.
.. the blue line just came up and tipped him! (Skoula, that is).
Had a Glenfarclas tonight NiNY. Then a little red.
DICE…what do you really think about the Sharks’ jersey color???
great hit by Shep!
RG…get off my cloud.
Kokanee! Nice. Glacier Beer.
Did he just say Teal Sweaters?
In California I think they call it Cyan!
NiNY…what did Remenda say?
They are gonna pay for giving up these kind of chances!
Remenda called that he stepped on the puck almost immediately…wow…that’s 20:20 vision!
SON OF A BIACH!
Damn.
nice call woodcock…I was in a rare sweets mood, so I went with Bowmore which is sort of the Rolling Rock of Scotch IMO.
Is it as leg injury? Or lower body?
DAMN!!!
Not good.
Left the short side open also!
Man up Wild. COME ON!
RG…get off my cloud.
LMAO!!
There go the points.
Another softie from our boy Backstrom.
Macallan 12 yr here!
kj: almost as soon as Setoguchi went down, the PBP guy said something about him getting taken out of the play, but Remenda was Johnny (Drewy?) on the spot and said “no I think he stepped on the puck…”
F**ing Skoula!
NOOOOOOOO…
GODAMMIT BACKSTROM GET OFF YOUR KNEES MAN!
Could there be more drama?? peanlty? Come on boys!
Skoula has got get the pass made after we win the face-off!
Please Hockey Gods, have mercy on us!!! We have suffered Skoula for soooo loooong…
Mr. Winter,
Have you ever watched Coach’s Corner? Do yourself a favor, turn off Gorg and Greenlay’s Face Off and just watch a Coach’s Corner.
Next, research Rose Cherry’s Home for Kids. Then, watch the end of a Coach’s Corner segment, when Don makes time to acknowledge fallen soldiers, firefighters, police, etc. and tell me that’s not class.
If you watched his show, Mr. Winter, you might understand what it means to give back to the game, which means more than making foolish remarks on Russo’s blog.
Sure, he’s controversial. Did it ever occur to you that there’s a method to the madness? When he joins Brett Hull on NBC’s broadcast and touts fighting in the baddest suit you’ve ever seen, it helps the sport! It creates controversy and gets people talking. It’s marketing. I don’t expect someone so dense and ignorant as you to be able to read between the lines and understand his role, vital to the game of hockey.
How’s that argument, Mr. Winter? In November, on Remembrance Day, Grapes doesn’t even mention hockey. He uses his entire segment to honor fallen soldiers by posting photographs and sending his thoughts and prayers to their families? That’s not class? Now who’s ignorant?
YES!
YES yeS YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOOOOOOOOO!!!!! AWESOME!
Let’s get some rubber on the net!
What’s up with the whiny SJ announcers? I’ve never heard such horrible announcing.
By the way, I’m curious why the MN feed on DirecTV gets blacked out more than any other team? I watch 2 dozen games a week, and I never see other teams with blacked out games. I’m in Alabama. I don’t get it.
SWEEET goal from Gabby!!!!
GABBYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!
Holly cr–!!
PP
Here we go…
Thank you Hockey Gods!!
I’m soooo happy!!!!!!
Skoula did have a marvelous brain cramp that lead to that last goal.
Glad we blocked those final 3 shots in the last 10 seconds, wouldn’t want to risk the softie.
Hey Alabama, I thought the SJ announcers have been pretty good. They have love for the Wild so it’s all good.
I can’t believe that ending to regulation! Let’s get that second point!
GABY!!!!
My posts always are showing early…WTF?
YEEESSSSS!!!
NINY, I agree
RM and Mr. Winter: get a room.
Let’s go and get the 2nd point, Sweeet!
4th Macallan coming up!
SO, I’m at work at an info desk in a public building at a University in Oregon and I am listening to the game with a earphone. I totally shouted and scared the crap out of some studying students. Go WIld!
NiNY - Nah, Let’s put them in a cage and charge admission.
Nice call NiNY. I do like the Bowmore. Had one at the St.Paul Grill before the last home game. Backs has got to make those saves. A point is big. Coming from behind is big. Losing Foster is going to be tough. The geriatric corps will be playing D. We definitely played hard in the third.
MN in AL: I totally disagree with you. I think the Sharks guys have been (and generally are) very good and unbiased tonight.
And getting Dumb and Dumber pre-empted is NEVER a bad thing. I’d rather listen to two orangutans call the game than those two idiots.
Man Butch got ROCKED.
As the great NiNY said earlier tonight.
GABY!
Anyhoo, did anyone else notice that when the drinking started amongst us, the goals came?
Butch got smashed
Butch just got rocked…like he needs to be any shorter.
Keep ‘em on their toes, Rogue.
Skoula is an accident waiting to happen. Where is Keith Carney when we need him?
The may bring in Harding!
aww butchie… i luff u
Thank goodness Mar-low missed.
Any desperation, Demitra?
Wow! That 3 on 3 was absolutely terrifying.
frickin SO. Let’s see - Sharks have Nabakov and Wild have a pylon. Who’s going to win?
Harding in the Shot out?
hehehe…Mikko was out WAAY early after Rolston busted his twig.
WOW, We totally were done. Now our first two shooters will score and Backs will stop their first two.
We shoulda lost right there eh?
BDS: yeah…start stretching Josh
THose would be my picks BDS.
Demo has been underwhelming yet again this game.
Harding is working it with the chicks….!
Whew! Burns lucky.
I bet Burns will score
A variation of the move he used against Brodeur.
Damn Gabby!
Gaby, Burns and koivo in the SO?
Gabby had a move there… sort of.
Gabby, flip that puck UP. Top shelf!
why do we waste our time with #10 in the SO?
I’m tired of Gaby in the top 3
Damnit. What a freaking game though.
What a game.
Great effort by the Wild tonight! That Nabby looks good! The Sharks could go far!
wow…nice call BDS
Thank god there aren’t any SO’s in the playoffs!
From now on, when we get into a shootout, Gabby and Backs have to wait in the locker room.
What happened to Koivu in these SOs? - completely lost his touch altogether.
LOL BURNS
NiNY - That’s what 4 Macallan’s can do for you. hehhe
Backs is….hopeless in a shootout.
Goodnight to a salty Russoville! At least we got a point!
They shoulda tried Harding
Yuk!
that’s sucks…gaby never needs to take another shootout attempt for us again.
Good effort and a well-earned point.
Wild finally showed up for the first game of a road-trip. They finally showed some guts tonight.
We’re headed in the right direction.
I saw that too Dice, I would not bring in a goalie for the shootout who did not have his mind on the game.
If we make the playoffs we now have to deal with the loss of a D who was playing better and a goalie who still lets in some he should stop. But at least no shoot outs. But, we are playing hard. Looked good against the Avs and played tough tonight. On to Loonieland.
Gutsy play by Burns. I loved it when he and Thornton tangled. He is fast becoming my favorite player on the Wild.
Bacstrom = shootout loss
Gaborik = shootout miss
Nummelin = shootout money (a.k.a “Scratch”)
Risebrough = moron
Burns has improved by leaps and bounds.
I think we should just be thankful that there will be no shootouts in the playoffs…
Backstrom = shootout loss
Gaborik = shootout miss
Nummelin = shootout money (a.k.a “Scratch”)
Risebrough = moron
RogueGopher - took the words out of my mouth. Backs and Gabby need to do more spectating in the SO.
Assuming Foster is out, we HAVE to get Nummi back in the lineup to get these extra points in the SO. Hill sits Carney plays (pains me to say it).
Harding probably would not have been very useful in the SO after yukking it up with the chicks sitting next to him.
I was largely pleased with the effort tonight, SJ is a great team and we went toe to toe with them
Jeez, maybe with Foster baked for the rest of the year, can Nummelin find the ice?
What the hell did Nummie do to Lemaire to get in the doghouse so deep - feel up Lemaire’s daughter?
RM - Don Cherry has something in common with you, both are idiots…
Quit apologizing for that Buffoon..He goes on TV to tout all he does for the world..Wow - what a giver…
Both are you are still idiots. Have a Kokanee and start studying for your upcoming GED test. IF you hurry - you might get your degree before “Grapes”
Rolston can’t seem to put his slapper on the net the past 2 months, but at least he has some history of scoring in the SO and he can strike at least a little fear. Demo hasn’t done lots this year but at least he can do something in the SO.
Between the Brown goal and the SO, Backstrom sure had his weak moments. Thankfully he was darn good otherwise. The 3rd goal nutmegged the D, totally threading the narrow needle, for goodness’ sakes! Hard to blame that one on Backstrom, anyway.
But cripes, they just have to score the winner in regulation or OT because the SO is becoming a sure-fire loss.
Then again, though Backstrom isn’t helping the SO chances at all, you can never win a SO if you can’t score enough because you don’t get ahead. Yeah, duh, but they HAVE to find ways to put the puck past the goalie. Not every goalie is Dryden, Roy, Brodeur, Hasek, & Luongo all rolled into one!
Marty, yeah I saw that honey too…maybe she was a distraction plant by the SJ organization
Gaborik is comletely lost in 1-on-1 puck…bizzarre
What a game…awesome…I feel I can be proud of this team again. Gabby, wow, first he drew the penalty in the last minute and then he scores….secures a crucial point. Captain and a franchise player-style. Backs has been awesome too…saved team’s butt a lot of times. Former IA Waterloo BlackHawk Joe Pavelski is owning MN unfortunately…anyways, way worth staying up this late. Good job guys, get some rest and LET’S PLAY HOCKEY north of the border with a couple of wins. Good night.
Well,
will the Wild keep it hush-hush about the status of Foster like they do with every other injury or will they let the team/fans know the status.
Gabby again has a break aways and SO attempts and misses, take away the second game-tying goal and you have to question the captain C on his sweater.
The Wild need to stop playing for 1 pt a game; if they don’t stop, they wont be playing for anything in 3 weeks.
Peace,I’m Out
If I were JL, I would have to talk myself out of Koivu, Bouchard, and Demo in the SO every night (unless Nummi is in).
But, I have to give Nabakov credit. He’s tough.
Rod in Foster’s leg. Crap.
When your top goalkeeper gets schooled by Jeremy Roenick in a shootout you’ve got big problems.
Wild biggest problem is they allow the puck to be in their defensive zone too long. Bad things happen when you do.
The old, old, old, old, old Wild always kept the puck on the perimeter so it did not matter whether the puck was in their zone or not.
We got a point, that ain’t bad. In fact, we have 5 points from the last three games and that ain’t bad either.
Fractured Femur? Really? Was that on FSN?
Iceman, SJ has the best forecheck I have seen in the league. They are big and fast. Very tough.
Gabby is a straight ahead player that relies on his speed and quick release. The shootout is all about angles and deception. Those are not Gabby’s strong points.
Fractured Femur—-See ya next season Foster. Bad peace of luck for Foster. The Wild will miss his Slapper from the point.
Steel rod is being placed tonight…what’s the hurry?
Re: Kurtis Foster
Per the WRN, #26 has a broken left leg. A displaced fracture of the femur…ouch! Poor KF…he’s taken a beating this year. ‘Hope he’s going to be OK for next season or beyond. Good luck man!
Definitely prefer Nummi to Hill and Carney.
So, safe to assume Nummelin back on the blue line? Please JL choose him over Carney.
Femur. Bad, very bad. I had a friend who broke his femur and was never the same. Even just walking.
I hope Mitchell sits for a few. It has to show that kind of hit is a possible career ender and the message must be sent.
Of course Campbell ill probably call it a hockey play.
Late night, but what a game!…Just got off the couch and now reading all the posts. Mr. Winter, haven’t seen you here before, but RM totally made you his bee-otch on the Grapes argument. Don Cherry is as classy a guy as there is, and he has more hockey knowledge in his little finger than you have in your entire body.
Unsung hero of the night: Mikko Koivu, who won about five consecutive faceoffs in the final two minutes of that game. Every time we had to have puck control, he got it for us, and made that great tying goal possible.
I’ve not bashed Backstrom all year, and I’m not ready to do it yet, but geez, you can’t keep fighting back from a soft goal or two a night. Yes, he makes lots of nice saves and yes, his numbers are good. But we almost came away without a point because of two shaky goals. You can’t go far in the playoffs without better goaltending than that.
NHL Network is reporting a broken fibula for Foster…that’s a tough loss, especially with Nummi still out. Suddenly the defensive part of the bench is short, and while Carney and Hill are certainly capable, there’s a lot of miles on those bodies…The team is playing very well right now, but the blueline situation is scary.
If your in 1st at this point its better to be a shootout loser then winner. Playoff hockey is 5 on 5 as long as it , the Wild are about as good as it gets at that even if we wish for better. Bring on the playoffs. As for Foster depth wise it hturt ts but overall we have our best available.
Goalie- Is Nummelin injured? I hadn’t heard that..
In the new NHL it’s tough to have a goalie that gives up 1 soft goal a game AND cannot win a shootout.
We will miss Foster on the power play. That’s another reason to bring in Nummi as he can play on the pp too.
I was always under the impression that Nummi had a “roster injury”.
Wow, what’s happened to Dallas? They were nipping at Detroit overall and now they have only a 2 pt lead on the Wild with one more game played.
Does Reitz or anyone else in Houston have a better than average shot?
Wow, Kimberly had 30:02 of TOI
Johnsson was a stud tonight
Nummi listed with a Gaborick, I mean groin injury - http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/16802566.html - I thought I saw Russo or Shipley report that Nummi and Belanger were not on the road trip.
Maybe it is just one of those stashed injuries, but you people who are asking for Nummi, he is repeatedly being scratched as a groin injury.
Foster’s broken leg changed everything for the Wild. After that, all bets were off the board, as it were. If there was any doubt that the Wild would come away with something, Foster’s injury (career-threatening?) would be the catalyst.
For those wondering, Skoula was -3 tonight, including a horrendous pass attempt on the goal that gave San Jose a 3-2 lead late in the 3rd period. ‘Serviceable Marty’ this evening? I think not…
And, yes I was able to find the one place in Seattle which had NHL Center Ice, so our party was able to watch the entire game.
On to Vancouver Friday, let’s hope the Hockey Gods are with ‘da boys’. The Wild have already made their sacrifice…
Oh. Not good. Now what?
Talking with a medical student friend of mine, she said that a broken femur with rod will take between 3-6 months for recovery depending on extent of the break. We all knew he’d be done for the season with the broken leg, but I was surprised it was that long.
WRT - Glad things worked out for you in the Emerald City - as noted above by Russo, JL wents nuts on the ref for not calling a trip on that Skoula play for what its worth. I agree with you, however, that Skoula broke down on that last one, in crunch time no less.
I wasn’t able to see the game. How did Foster suffer the injury exactly?
Foster was racing for a touch up icing. Was hit from behind and the last moment and slammed into the boards with his body but the left leg took the brunt of the injury. SJ player fell on top of him but immediately started apologizing and checking on him but the rest of the players on the ice sort of scrummed around for a few seconds.
Foster couldn’t really sit on his back and they had to flip him onto his back from his side using a strecher.
Thanks ML.
