Bouchard, Demitra out; Wild’s 5-3 loss to Edmonton
Posted on March 24th, 2008 – 6:57 PMBy Michael Russo
Pavol Demitra and Pierre-Marc Bouchard are out tonight.
Demitra has a sore leg, maybe stemming from the Robyn Regehr hit. He did skate this morning. The team is saying day-to-day, but aren’t we all?
Bouchard is out with the flu and tried to give it a go in warmups.
Eric Belanger is back in for Demitra. Mark Parrish is in for scratched Chris Simon. Matt Foy is in for Bouchard. And Aaron Voros is out of sight, out of mind.
Postgame notes: Ugly, ugly game for the Wild. The score was not indicative of how bad the Wild was.
Edmonton skated through the Wild’s trap like they weren’t there. They had more time and space in the Wild zone than any team I remember all year. The Wild took inadvertent icings. The Wild took a too many men penalty on a power play. Just awful, and you can see it right from the first shift when Mikko Koivu and Kim Johnsson combined for three turnovers in Minnesota’s end on one shift.
Jacques Lemaire said the optionals are over. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Lemaire was waiting for this.
I don’t want to use the word revolt, but if you read between the lines of my optional practice story when we were in San Jose — what seems like a month ago — Lemaire was not happy at all when vets came to him a few weeks ago and asked him to back off and let them be pro’s and decide when they’d go on and when they wouldn’t. But he relented and let them do their own thing. Since, things have been upbeat.
But Lemaire pointed out sarcastically, “We have a team that everyone has to take care of their own preparation before every game.”
The Wild was dominated in every area of the game tonight, and Lemaire said he’s the coach and will go back to coaching practices — everyday, mandatory practices.
There were just some ludicrous plays tonight, and it did look very much like the team was not prepared to play a fast, desperate team like the Oilers, who are fighting for their lives.
The most unbelievable one again was Martin Skoula. There were so many culpable figures tonight, it seems unfair to point this out. But I have to, it was so ridiculous. He turns the puck over in the neutral zone and then sprints to the bench as Edmonton flew in on the rush. Andrew Cogliano scored the first of his two goals.
But at least Skoula didn’t get a minus on the play. Because he wasn’t ON THE ICE!
But like I said, lots of players were overwhelmed. Brent Burns and Keith Carney really struggled.
The Wild should feel fortunate that Calgary lost. Now they’ve got a one point lead on Calgary and three on Vancouver and Colorado. But Calgary has a game in hand on them, and Vancouver two.
And what are the chances of this? Nik Backstrom has been yanked in his last three starts in Edmonton.
The first time, he was pulled with a 3-2 lead, Josh Harding didn’t give up a goal and Backstrom wound up with a win.
The second time, he was pulled after giving up two goals. But the Wild scored twice, so Harding got the loss.
Tonight, Backstrom gave up the first three, but Harding gave up the last two. And since the Wild scored three, Harding gave up the winner and thus got the loss.
So Backstrom is still 8-0 against the Oilers going into Wednesday’s rematch.
Of course, nothing much Backstrom could do on the first three goals and Harding did cough up the puck to Wild killer Kyle Brodziak for the fourth goal and winner.
Nothing else. It probably says something when the Wild goal scorers are Nick Schultz, Sean Hill and Todd Fedoruk.
That’s it for now. Finally, I’m flying home in the morning.
490 Responses to "Bouchard, Demitra out; Wild’s 5-3 loss to Edmonton"
My condolences on your shirts, Don.
Thats not good when “pass me the damm puck” is out against these speed demons. He aint big but he can dangle.
Maybe Parish can make a point by getting a point or 2
If there was ever a time for Parrish to step up it’s tonight if Butch, and Demo are unable to go.
Pav and PMB!!! Not good.
We were a bit overdue for someone new to go down with the flu. Hope PMB gets well soon.
Russo: that depends on whose wrinkle-free shirts you buy. I am partial to those of Brooks Brothers - they treat me pretty well.
I’d like to see Pouliot tap his young legs and “earn” 20 minutes tonight - especially if Pav and PMB are no-gos.
And if Foy’s going to make a case for getting some PT down the stretch and into the playoffs, this is it.
I just read a rumor that Luongo’s wife (who has reportedly had a rough pregnancy, and is at home in FL) might be giving birth very soon, and he has left the team to be with here. This might mean he’d miss their next game.
I sincerely hope his wife and their baby are and continue to be okay.
And that Sanford is unable to fill his shoes.
I hope Luongo misses more time, but do not wish ill will on his wife or child.
And that when he does return, he consistently gets lit up. I need him to do as badly as Roloson in the next two weeks.
Matt Foy is still on the active NHL roster? I swear the last time I remember him playing, he had that sweet assist to Darby Hendrickson.
Finally saw the Foster play just now on Versus.. yeah, that should’ve been a major and some kind of suspension.
I think Parish has done pretty well this year and is in the top 20 players easily (15 goals this year). Remember this is a guy who realized his talent wasnt enough to stay in this league,so someone told him to stand in front of the net and pay the price cause few else want to. That price of course is sitting in front of Rolston (most goalies dont want that), Fozzy (sorry bud your aim can be off at times), etc… slap shots. Remember this is the pros not high school, they stand in front of the shots, not off to the side. Im sure Boogie and Simon can screen, but Parish can finish.
New blog eh?
My nominations for the Boogaard, Simon & Fedoruk line are;
Slovakian Guard
Protect and Serve
Check Bounce
The Good the Bad and the Ugly
Toucha my star I breaka your face
Been there done that
The Dare Line
C’mon, Demo and PMB, this is crunch time. Gotta play.
And Gabby - we need a little offensive explosion from you tonight.
The Boogaard-Fedoruk-Simon line should be the “Three Horsemen” line, as in the Three Horsemen of the Apocolypse.
I don’t take credit for that, someone else came up with it last week.
Switch it to Four Horsemen and through in Voros, he could be famine since he is a bit smaller.
I thought Calgary was at 8 but it’s at 8:30. Now I can only watch on commercial breaks. Go Avs. Habs leading Ottawa 6-1 in second. Man, Ottawa bags it at the end of the year.
BDS: I just choked on my food when I read that about Dupuis lol!
GS: Uh…I… Er… screw it. You win.
Now for the fun. I decided to plug a few words into the advertising slogan generator, and see if anything good came up. I used words like, “beating”, “pain”, “hurt”, “smash”, etc. It came back with some like these:
“It’s Beating Time” line
“All you need is a beating and a dream” line
“Got A Lotta Pain” line
Anyway, you can see where it’s going. If you wanna give it a whirl, the generator is here: http://www.thesurrealist.co.uk/slogan.cgi
The Oil will be tough tonite.
Bandgeek objected to the Good, the Bad, and Ugly Line when I suggested it a game or two ago, so I’m amending to The Rude, The Cad, and The Boogly. (Fedoruk/Simon/Boogaard, in that order.)
parrish goals starting with mar19 game and going back to dec31
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
1
1
seriously people, the numbers just haven’t been there since the page turned to 08
What happened to the Don’s shirts? Missing what u guys are refering to?
No Pavs or PMB…the boys are going to have to play inspired tonight..I will miss PMB more than Pav.
Cam: the Don said something he learned on his long road trip was that wrinkle-free shirts are a scam. He’d had that in his post originally but I guess he took it out.
No Pav, but still hope for PMB, I guess.
Green*, that list looks like you’re writing code.
Sam I only objected because you had Boogey as the Ugly, but I don’t think it fits the boys anyway. I think we should call them the Cerberus Line (for those who don’t know it’s a three headed hell dog, for an example see Fluffy from Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone).
As for the game tonight, what will be will be, Go Wild!
Green* with the binary solo!
When I saw that list I thought it was the Time Machine Code from Futurama.
I like Cerberus, too. There is a line of goalie equipment called Cerberus, though, not sure if that would be a problem.
A sore leg and a case of the poopies! Are you f*%#ing kidding me? Good thing the Wild isn’t in a race for the divisional title or anything. Hopefully, if the team can hang on to a playoff spot, nobody will come down with a headache or anything prior to game time 
what’s a little disconcerting about Pav and PMB sitting this one out in the infirmary is that you wonder if they’d be playing if it was the Avs, Flames or Nux. In other words, if they’re only out because it’s the Grease, then is the REST of the team thinking this one is the “easy” one? That’s dangerous.
Hey bandgeek, why do they call you bandgeek again???
Kelly Sutherland in as ref…this could be a long game.
I was in Band until I transfered to the U and had to give it up to work so I could eat. My highschool band director told us to be proud of being Bandgeeks, so once a Bandgeek always a Bandgeek. Hence the name.
Did they hang up a Rammer pic today?
great…MacT gets the kids out against both Boogey and Carney…and a recovering Belanger.
always stings when the fourth line scores on us
Skoula on ice for Oiler goal….no surprise.
Why is the picture quality always so terrible from Edmonton on FSN? When I’ve seen the Oilers play on CBC or TSN, it looks fine…
Didn’t help when Center doesn’t cover the guy in the slot
Maybe my unease was more legit than I thought. Maybe it wasn’t the chocolate talking. After that I could use some kool aid.
The lighting appears very dim. But the Oilers are sure lighting us up.
Well, that was horrible. Gonna be one of those games, is it?
not the best start for Skoula tonight…pushes Stortini into Backs on the goal, then just gets his pocket picked on that clear.
ANd I think he was on for the SECOND GOAL against just now.
What the hell was that?
Ugly start. And a hell of an ugly feed.. this looks gross.
no he wasn’t…he was skating off for a change.
Well I might as well go to bed since the boys decided not to show up tonight.
I think I’m gonna yack.
who said they had a bad feeling about this one…ouch this is ugly.
HD, are you watching the game. Skoula had his man It was the center or wing who didn’t pick up Glencross.
Time to take a TO, Jacques
WAKE UP!!!!
Boy, Burns looked like a boy on that play.,
Greenlay needs to shut up with all the talk about the Oilers playing with “desperation.” They don’t look desperate in the least. They look like a professional hockey team playing against a bunch of kids from juniors who never learned defense.
Can Backs stop a shot!
Yikes.
Yes, Wood cock, I am. Did you see Skoula going off on the line change during the 2nd goal.
Why did Skoula think that was a good time to go for a change?? That was sad.. poor Burns.
This is obsurd.
R U F’ing kidding me??? The alternates must have shown up tonight.
Way to be ready Backs- that last goal was the worst. Take a seat.
woodcock, Skoula never should have let his man circle in front like that for the initial shot.
pathetic. How can you not be ready for this game? Utterly pathetic, disgusting display of “not getting it”.
WC, not exactly backstroms fault…are you watching the game.
well…we just got one back…Boogey might get this goal
At least a goal.
Hey Kevin, didn’t you say that you needed Backstrom to suck? Or was that Roloson?
If it’s Boogey’s goal, it’s a high stick and won’t count, Nick…
maybe not Boogey’s goal.
yeah. you gotta stop something.
one more and back in it…
Sweetness. I am on a bit of a delay here.. got home a little late. Good job getting one back. Now we only need two more to tie the game. Ugh.
Wow did Burns play that Penner goal poorly.
Wow. No Butch. No Demo. At least Belager is back. What the h-e-double-L is going on here. I’m gonna need a bottle of vodka to get through this game.
Need Roloson to suck. I’ve got Backs going in my losers bracket final, but Roloson’s on my opponent’s team in my other league’s championship.
If nothing else maybe Harding gains some confidence out of this game.
Great, hopefully Harding will have a much better game this go round.
It’s like we started asleep.
It would be nice to see a shootout to see what Harding can do.
Schultzie’s goal, and Boogey’s stick never went above elbow hight even so even if he touched the puck, it shouldn’t be a high stick. Good job Schultzie, now pull your collective heads out of your collective cracks and play for pucks sake.
So they gave the goal to Boogs?? Sweet! BNAG must be happy.
sad to say the only guy that might save us tonight is roloson…
my little routine the last couple months has been no booze during the first period, and then whisky during the second. Then if we’re leading after two, stay with the whisky and if we’re trailing or tied after 2 go to beer and ride it home.
F that S.
I just cracked a beer.
Pass the kool-aid. How can they not be ready for this?
What is with our line changes. Almost got caught again.
No Austin, Shultzie’s goal.
Austin, we’re going to need you at your most positive tonight…band, they announced Boogaard with the goal…
The NHL scoresheet lists the goal as Boogard’s.
That one went right over Skoulas stick. Get him off the ice!
Never, thinking Lemaire has manlove for Skoula.
Avs and Flames tied in the first. 5 left.
Or Skoula is dating his daughter.
Then he can adopt him. Just get him off the ice.
disgusting hockey display
Really, didn’t hear that. I was to busy trying to get my dog out of hiding after I stopped screaming at the team through the TV.
Okay, the picture quality is absolutely driving me up the wall. Is it just that I have an HDTV, and that’s making the standard def plus bad lighting look worse? Or are others having this problem? I don’t think I’ve seen the puck yet tonight!
(Of course, neither did Backstrom…)
I drank the kool-aid. I predict the Wild will come back and win this game.
No kidding, I would love to see Numie take his spot once he is healthy.
LOL…the Skoula apologists are going to be up in arms…
Wow, just went to turn the game and it’s already over!
Well if we can pop one more we are back in this game.
Sam are you watching on CI?? I am and it’s terrible for me too.
It is difficult to view, but I can (barely) pick up the puck on my HDTV.
what channel is the game on?
What happened to the physical play of late? No-one is hitting the grease and that is allowing them to freewheel allover the rink.
the “Wild come out flat and it’s ugly early” channel, smuggla…and where the hell have you been?!
knight63: Demo and PMB are out sick and the physical element evaporates…coincidence? hmm… 
hey smuggla, it’s been awhile since you have been here has it not? I think the MN feed is FSN-N?
Austin, I’m not on CI, just bad ol’ FSN North.
On another note, is there a good solid hockey reason why none of our guys have yet laid out one of the young Oilers who keep skating across center ice at top speed carrying the puck with their heads down?
Well,if they want any chance of winning tonight,they better start crunching.I was hoping they had learned that from the other night in Vancouver but apparently not.
Boy we need the next one. Come on, let’s get it before the end of the period.
man i like the way pouliot is playing. too bad no one else will play with him
This is like the 80’s.
This game reminds me of the one earlier this year at the X that the Grease scored 2 SHG’s in. Just not ready at the start, and it wasn’t just Backs, Skoula, or Burns, it was everyone.
two hits from DB on this one shift.
Pouliot is playing better than Sheppard. I agree, he has played very well.
Finally the D gets physical….only to be called for a penalty.
what was Carney thinking there? Of COURSE he’s going to get a penalty for that.
How did Penner get behind the defense…oh yeah….it was Skoula.
another penalty on us here.
skoula is not even trrying
sorry….penalty on the Grease
HD- Of course-who else would it be?
Shouldn’t the Oilers standing in front of the net have a stick permanently embedded in the small of their backs. Comeon D.
least rolston can pick them off with his slapshots. need to start hitting.
Thank God that is over. (for now)
I has to be said…this team needs Walz. I wonder if he still has some sway in the room after bagging on the team. If he does, they should seriously talk to him about signing on as an assistant coach the rest of the way here.
I don’t know how they gave that goal to Boogie, but oh well…that pp looked good, they did everything but score on it…these guys have go to get it in gear…
“This is like the 80’s.”
This feedd looks like it’s from the 80’s. Horrible. Time to invest in some new equipment guys!
I’m in Philly and going thru Wild withdrawl!!!!!
I need to get NHL center ice. Can you order that thru Comcast???
Vodka not helping. Two whole periods left. Come on.
Skoula=Bad
Carney= Pathetic
I 2nd what a few others are saying…the picture is not good…the lighting and contrast is terrible
Can someone please call the hotel and tell the guys we have a game tonight?
smuggla, yes
Smuggla I’m in Chicago, and I get it thru comcast.
smuggla, I am pretty sure that you can get CI as long as it is Digital Cable. Did you just move out there? I forget, it’s been awhile.
center ice that is.
So is racehorse hockey back? Habs win 7-5 after leading 6-1.
I don’t know how the Wild could not come to play this game, especially with how they battled in the last 4
Calgary’s telecast had a poll: which Avs player do the Flames need to shut down in order to win?
The choices were Sakic, Stastny, Forsberg and Smyth. Forsberg finished fourth, which is a nice way of saying last.
Been into red wine tonight. Altho led with Jack for no good reason. On vacation. Decided to stay home so I wouldn’t miss home games. Maybe not a good choice.
Jack -> red wine sounds like a world class hangover in the making, wood.
if it’s gonna be this same sh1t-of not coming to play, they get bounced in the first round if they even make the playoffs
On the Sh!tty video feed from Edmonton….aren’t the cameras usually on the opposite side of the ice from the benches? I didn’t think video from Edmonton was usually so bad?
I have only heard one comment about Burns. His feet looks like there in cement. Johnsson looks like the best D out there right now. I have a good feeling about the 2nd period. JL must have given them an optional first period…now they will show up.
Lemmi, there is definitely something going on with the feed. I am having a hard time seeing the puck, and it’s not exactly a small TV! I can’t wait till the day that every channel is in HD all the time.
Well a small Jack. Should be ok. Got a lot of years on these wheels.Laperriere trying to rile Phaneuf.
Geez…I thought it was my eyesight. I’m glad others are having a difficult time seeing an extrordianarily ORDINARY effort from the Wild.
Baaaaaaad, Bad Marty.
Is Backstrom still running in the halls?
Afraid he’s gonna get the hook for the shootout?
Is that really Backstrom or did Noodles steal his equipment?
Will Dumber PLEASE stop saying desperate!!!
I agree about Burns…not his best period.
smuggla!
How was your time at the Vet’s Rest Home??? 
Burns got burned, Skoula would get beat by the Little Sisters of the Poor’s team..WTF?!
Terhaar…not a lot of shots on goal for either team.. Edmonton had 15. That would be a game total of 45. These FSN announcers drive me nuts.
Not a lot of shots on goal? 15-10! Geez that is a lot.
Shots are 15-10 Oil and Terhar just says (with the stats on the screen) “not a lot of shots for either team.”
Huh?
Burns was also hung out to dry a few times. I don’t blame any one person… I blame the entire team.
LOL, guess I was a little late with that observation
kj, I agree, dumber is gettin’ annoying with that refrain
I just love Terharr’s sense of…confusion… 
Goal changed to Schultzie
THey officially took the goal away from Boogie. Schultz goal.
The picture looks a little brighter….not by much.
Seems like a BS call.
sutherland has his eye on Boogie for that one.
So all of us who told Bandgeek she was wrong are idiots.
Apologies, Bandgeek!
Maybe they used a tissue and dusted off the lens.
Boogie must have heard they gave the goal to #55 and decided to revert to ineffective Boogie. Nice penalty, buddy
No big deal Kevin. To err is human… you are all human right? I’ve not been posting with aliens or something?
Where the heck was the 2nd defenseman….SKoula>?
whose man was left all alone there, and why?
That 4th line from the Oil looks dangerous.
Do the Oilers have an invisible extra skater as we look brutal?
Okay, next goalie.
Not a good descision Hards.
this is awful. If they can’t come out of the locker room ready to go, then it’s time to start point the finger at the coaches too.
goodnight..can’t stomach this anymore.
Leopold scores for the Avs, up 1-0.
I am, Band, but I have suspicions about Austin. No human could have his high level of optimism.
Hmmm, 4-1, huh? I think I have some Form 10-Ks calling for me to review.
Coaches are too busy determining who to rip in the press next.
that was on Hards for the bad clearing attempt, and then a nice move/patience by Brodziak
Cam-I hear you. If these beers didn’t taste so good I’d be heading there too.
Careful Kevin, I may short circut.
Holiday hangovers. Pens didn’t show up against the Isles, the Habs forgot to play the third period (late-acting hangover) and now the Wild.
Sean Hill?! 4-2 now…and the Avs are up on the Flames in the second 1-0
HIll!? Really?? I still don’t like him. But thanks dude!
I apologize, Austin.
I really wish Hards wouldn’t have given up that brain fart goal now.
1-0 Avs up. one good game to watch tonight.
Ex scooped me on the Avs score…my bad on the Boogey goal call, Band.
I’m just kidding Kevin, I am programmed to be a friendly android. 
Nick- I have been saying for a while that this isn’t all on the players. Not being ready and being outsmarted, etc. falls on JL.I also think and hope he steps down regardless of what happens in the postseason. Guys aren’t buying whatever JL is selling. They did for 4-5 games but now it is back to the same embarassing sh#*t.
Shultz, Hill…
Now if we can just get Carney and Boogaard into the mix and tie this thing up..
Yeah Avs. Since we can’t seem to do it ourselves tonight, I’ll gladly take the help.
Hey, Hill was one of their big offseason FA pickups.
“but now it is back to the same embarassing sh#*t.”
This game is far from over. Plus, it’s one game. You can’t win them all… even down the stretch.
I agree that JL should be held accountable for some of the lackluster play, but for him to step down is a bit of a stretch.
sucky gm,,,, how bad do we miss foster. im going to go with a lot!!!
we are F’ing PYLONS on defense tonight…and a solid giveaway by Rolston there too.
Burns is just horrible tonight
That’s what you want us to believe, Austin. I’m keeping my eye on you…
NICE JOB SKOULA>>>>>you looked like a Pee Wee.
SOB! WTF??
THis is just hard to watch. How many giveaways can you let go before a goal against?
This is F’ing embarassing. Every Oiler player is better than any of the Wild players tonight.
Skoula lost his man again on that one.
THROW THE TOWEL IN…This is unbelievable how shitty they can play…I think Gophers skate with more effort than these jokes tonight.
game set match I’m afraid.
Honestly, they are all running around like an expansion team.
Can we blame this on Mike Ramsey?
10 GA in 1.5 games for the vaunted defensive machine that is the Minnesota Wild.
LOL LOL this is SICK!!!! I can’t help but laugh with a Corona in hand.
Hey, it’s just a game.. at least it’s not a matter of life and death. I got tix for the Wednesday game. Hopefully we’ll be able to take them apart then.
Time to bring Constantine up from Houston to take a shot coaching these guys. Maybe he could at least figure out a way to have consistent lines. Lemaire just throws lines together and hopes.
Burns is ridiculous tonight, just as Fedoruk and really, the entire team just sux so bad I can’t remember them sucking like this all year.
At least Hards got that one. Harding cannot be happy with the D. It’s just ugly.
How many goals has Skoula been on the ice for? When the other team sees him hop over the boards the argue about who has to stay on the pine. This is disgusting.
Head over to Yahoo and pull up the Avs-Flames game feed. Bonus: similar picture quality to FSN North!
Ex-D.. link?
I know this is but one game but it does not bode well for their chances… how in the h3ll can the entire team just up and disappear??
Lemaire is the biggest joke of them all. Does he know what a TIME OUT is for?? This has got to be the worst effort I’ve seen from the Wild….
Hmmm… maybe this PP will get them going? PP has been bad, but are the Oil any good on the PK?
Avs have a 2 man advantage for 30 secs or so.
There should be a mercy rule in hockey
Over/Under on a Grease shorty?
That last one was on Koivu and Branko for not getting the puck out of the zone.
Austin- I disagree. Its time for JL to mosey and no, not just because of tonight. Been a trend or rather a snowball gathering speed all year. Inconsistent, same PP plays run over and over, etc.etc.
Who needs a gutty effort when you’ve got an entire point lead on Calgary?
Yahoo! > Sports > NHL > Scores & Schedules. Then click on the “Watch Live” link in the Col - Cgy box.
Hmm. My take that JL and Dr need to go is looking good right now. The Wild look like they’re bored.
My favorite quote in life is this:
“The only constant in life is change.”
Please Leipold. Shake up mgmt and coaching. Or my $$ for tix may go somewhere else next year.
Nice play Gabby. It’s about time somebody hits an Oiler player.
there goes that PP. Knight, this is not the time to chat about it really. But I can see your point.
I wonder if JL will have them ready Wednesday?
If I was in the locker room between periods, there would be lots of me screaming at them, lots and lots and lots of me screaming at them. Lots of swearing, and no more optional skates, everyone practices, everyone skates. And if I didn’t see 110% out of them during games…. I don’t know I’m too pissed to think of anything creative right now…… I’m done. The Mr has revoked my TV rights since I just threw the box of Kleenex at the TV and scared the dogs again. This is bull….I really do think I’m going to yack now. Where is the team that played the last few games?
If Lemaire and Risebrough were fired, he’d Leipold would have to have reputable replacements - are there any good GMs or coaches looking for work? I just hope he’d get a GM with a pair of cojones.
My guess the next guy to score for Wild will be Keith Carney.
thanks Drummer. I’ve tried looking for that link all over but never could find it.
Terhar….nice try. Guess he hopes if he is optimistic, the viewers won’t turn off their TV. I just don’t see the Wild making a comeback. 6-3 final.
they really need to just start throwing a bunch of pucks at the net. Don’t get fancy with it.
You’re welcome, WL.
I don’t see the Oilers crapping on a 3-goal lead in the third twice in a row.
Maybe JL will make them do Herbies after the game, even after the lights are turned off.
Crud….for some reason I can not watcht the Yahoo feed using Firefox. Need IE.
Probably another optional skate.
You’d think it’d be tough to be so down on a team with 89 points, but obviously that’s not the case.
Drummer: Herbies would be a good idea for them. I watched the documentry this afternoon. Was really interesting and good! Loved it. Rammer should teach his team a few things about winning games.
Not tough when they lay an egg like tonight.
Hockeydude: I think you just need a java or media player update or something. I’m watching the yahoo feed with Firefox.
Bandgeek…I would add to their misery by not allowing a postgame shower for any of them and make them fly all the way to Minnesota smelling their own stink….afterall, I don’t think they sweat that much tonight anyways.
Oh yeah, here’s another idea: Make them fly commercial, not their comfy charter, coach class of course, with a red-eye stopover somewhere in Fargo, N.D.
Where have our skilled players gone on this Canada swing?
Yeah, HD, I had the same issue. Had to bring up IE to make it work. Bandgeek is right, the optionals have to go after effort like this. If you opt out, you damn well better show up ready to go.
I dont know why everybody is so pissed. This has been the story for a good part of the season and nothing will change until we either have a new coach or alot of changes in the lineup or both.
This is pathetic. Has anyone played a decent game for the Wild?
NINY: at least the Avs-Flames game is entertaining….as for our boy….singular, not plural - BBBenny looks like the only one who is trying….which is sad.
Harding and Backstrom, oh oh.
I think rolston is injured, he can’t even skate tonight.
Same with Johnsson, he can only wave his stick, he can’t put the body on any one.
PLEASE NO MORE OPTIONALS! We fans should sign a petition and Russo will hand it to JL.
Pissed because they looked like they had finally figured out some things and turned the corner. And then there was tonight…
Not tonight woodcock. Maybe Pouliot.
WildLover: was that the HBO documentary you saw? If so, I thoroughly enjoyed that one also. “Miracle” was really good too.
So let me get this right. They have no jump tonight in the last game of a tough four game road trip. So they should skate herbies after the game. So when they get home to play the next game on Wednesday night they have no legs again. Sounds like a good idea I’m all for it.
Or my $$ for tix may go somewhere else next year.
now for sure they are gone. dice is threatening on not renewing. good as done now.
I see nothing has changed around here. the boys aren’t at their very best and JL needs to be fired, DR fired, team sucks, won’t win in playoffs…yada, yada, yada.
They weren’t ready tonight after another optional, so why not drill the hell out of them?
Sorry, but this isn’t even worth watching anymore. I do have a few comments from what I’ve seen in the 1st two:
Rolston is pathetic. He’s wound up the slapper 6 times so far. 6 times he’s either hit someone with it, or put it squarely on the pads of Roloson. Brian, you need to find another shot. He also needs to work on his puck control. He’s lacking intensity, and isn’t skating well at all. I’d rather see Voros in for him next game.
Skoula. Oh jeez. Can’t he get the flu for about 2 years?
Hill. Can’t be on the ice with Carney or Skoula. Still, I think he’s a liability on the ice anyway. Would be better to play a man short instead of tossing him out there, lucky goal or not.
Backstrom looked like he was in slow-mo. He’s got some Oil Jinx.
There’s almost no forecheck. Nice 1-2-2 we’re playing there, while down by 3.
Oilers were walking.. sorry, are walking right into our zone carrying the puck. No pressure at all from our guys at the blue line. They just keep backing up.
Gaborik. Absent from the game until the mid-point of the period, he looks like he’s really into it now. I saw him backcheck 3 times, which is 3 more times than he’s done that this year! But he’s trying to do it alone, and he’s covered fairly well. Skoula (pls get the flu…pls get the flu) missed a clear open lane to a streaking Gaborik with 3 mins to play in the 2nd, instead tossing it up the boards to Parrish (cough), who promptly lost it at the blue line because the Oil stepped up and plastered him there.
HELLO??? Is anyone on that team paying attention to how they’re getting run over here? It’s so bad, we’re beginning to sound like Leaf Nation fans. Now that’s pathetic, me included.
I’m going out. This game is over.
We’re just blowing off some steam, Bill. I’m sure they all have “No Herbie” clauses in their contracts.
It is frustrating after a very nice road trip where we played everyone nose to nose to play like this. We better blow them out on Wed.
how the hell did you people make it through the last week with a big win vs colorado, a nice point from san jose and a win in vancouver?
Drummer: Yes it was the HBO documentaty. I’ve seem miracle as well. Enjoyed the HBO one more!
Bill: Herbies might strengthen their chicken legs and get their endurance level up a bit.
G* “their very best”??? is that some kinda joke?… please impart us with your infinite hockey wisdom and tell us how we should be feeling with this pathetic performance.
Well, I have ice cream, so my night’s getting better.
The negativity is a little overkill. This is a bad game. If they do this for the next three games after tonight, fine. But this is a little pathetic.
On a positive note…..wild lose….Calgary loses, no harm, no foul??
Yes…listening to Skoula-Hill D-combo late in the 2nd really made me believe we can come back (cough).
Anyways, let’s try to stay positive. Flames are down, we may still keep lead in our division after tonite. And yes, let’s petition for a headcoach change after another first-round fiasco.
Wait… I almost forgot.
I finally found a guaranteed way to increase your enjoyment of the game on TV:
Push MUTE
Ok, now I’m leaving.
I only mentioned Herbies as comic relief, I swear!
Backstrom is back in the net???? LMAO…this is really a circus show now, LMAO.
Backs back?
What? Why is Backs back in? Is JL crazy? What is the thinking behind this?
first, as i said, boys are not at their very best and the same shat is flying here. everyone needs to be fired. lets take a look at what is going on, the oil is playing a very wide open rushing game, something the wild have trouble with, especially with this new emphasis on playoff toughness. we are missing 2 key offensive players tonight and have one back that can’t be 100%
hill and foy are in the lineup and that is never good.
parrish is in when the coach says he isn’t one of our best players.
the oil get 3 quick ones and it is going to take a lot of wind out of your sails.
so, i’m not telling anyone to be happy, i’m not, but I also am not going to threaten the boss that i am not going to renew my season tix if he doesn’t “clean house” or insist that the team never have optionals again.
Yada Yada Yada!
I don’t think we need to go as drastic as Herbie’s. And I wouldn’t be so pissed if Benny wasn’t the only one who showed up for the game. I do have to say the optional practices have always bugged me. I just don’t get it.
I know it’s just a game, and I don’t expect them to win all the time, but could they have at least tried to play a solid game. And maybe if they looked like they cared, is that to much to ask?
“The negativity is a little overkill. This is a bad game. If they do this for the next three games after tonight, fine. But this is a little pathetic.”
RG you took the words out of my mouth.
I never thought JL should have pulled Backstrom in the first place. He was hung out to dry. He should have used his timeout instead…but I think he forgets that he has timeouts.
Has anyone noticed that no one in this division has had a very consistant season? That’s why we are all so close together in the standings. Just relax a little bit and let’s see how the next game goes before we get all bent out of shape. Also hope for the Avs to help us out tonight.
Wild on PP! Let’s get some positivity going!!!!
They are pressuring the hell out of boys on the PK. Way to blow that PP.
OK was on the the PP. ):
the oil is playing a very wide open rushing game, something the wild have trouble with, especially with this new emphasis on playoff toughness.
this, as much as anything, is my biggest problem. We have trouble with these “playoff tough” tight checking games, and we also can’t play a run-and-gun.
We’re no longer the best trapping team in the league, much less the conference, much less the division…
What, exactly, do we do well at this point?
HOw do you get a too many men right there? That was dumb.
I must say that I did a double take when I saw that old man Hill scored. Thats crazy.
What a strange game.
this, as much as anything, is my biggest problem. We have trouble with these “playoff tough” tight checking games, and we also can’t play a run-and-gun
it was my understanding that the new tough wild played very well last week. perhaps my sources were incorrect.
Backs looked afraid of the puck there.
Bad Marty is having a horrid game.
I have decided that PMB being out is the reason the Wild is losing so badly.
too add, the wild have never been a very good run and gun team.
I was impressed to see the Hill goal!
Sweet! Nicely done. Fedork?
SKKoula ?
Skoula?
skoula is having a bad game but now he scores. is he forgiven like burns was in the past?
G*: they took the Sharks to the SO which is a moral victory in itself. They then lost to Vancouver (they’re now 4-2-1 on the season against them this season), and lost to Calgary.
Yes they showed some toughness from individual players. But none of those outcomes was a surprise.
i say no
Shot on goal is never a bad play. Call me crazy but I think we got two more in us.
Fridge with the deflect. Nice.
I don’t recall saying the Wild HAS ever been a good R&G team.
And easy on the double standard on Burns…we’ve been all over him tonight.
i just got a slowdown message. no cowboy though.
they beat vancouver. i cashed that ticket. NiNY are you into the scotch?
as i said during the many games at the X the first 2 seasons, if we can just get one more before 5 minutes left, we have a chance.
What’s this?
A lemming revolt over the putrid Mild?
Fire Lemaire and Risedump?
Could it be that the blinders have been ripped off and the kool-aide has been cast aside, and that the Mild’s faithful have finally come to understand the concept of what a complete FRAUD this organization really is?
Do you believe in miracles? YES!
NINY, didn’t we beat Van?
Nice to see the Edmonton fans cheering while Gabby is laying on the ice. Stay classy Edmonton.
Marty S-I might agree with you but I’m not confident that we can stop them.
Oh, bloody hell, now the trolls are back. Sheesh.
c’mon G*, that was one guy about the season tickets..and I’d actually agree with you on that, but the whole team is sucking in a major league way, when they played well in their previous 4, even in their losses, it was a good/great effort
Great, just what we need. Mike.
oops…yes, we beat the Nux…that was what pushed us to 4-2-1 against them this season…my bad. The point stands though - the outcome was not a surprise.
Recent Wild goal scorers include: Hill, Schultz, Benny, Johnsson (2) and Skoula - crazy. Just got live on the game with the DVR - overall yuck but you can’t take the two top playmakers off this team and hope to be the first to score goals against this current Oilers team - Avs just went up 2-0 so its all good (sort of)!
This most likely the sugar dip after yesterdays chocolate egg and tootsie roll overdose, but I’m done in. I really hope that Wednesday’s game looks nothing like this.
Kevin eat a few extra scoops of that ice cream for me.
On a bright note, my friend got tickets for the last home game against the Cows and he’s taking me and the Mr. Win or lose it’s always better in person, and I think he said they were uber good seats, lower level anyway. Night all, may we be happier and more positive come Wed.
If we cannot win the game let at least Boogie get a few numbers for Wednesdays game in St Paul.
Sweet Avs 2-0.
Sweet, Avs score.
phil, the team played well but they suck tonight so it is back to clean house and JL has lost the team?
This really is a strange game.
Avs 2 Cal 0 …Hejduk
That Skoula goal wa Fedoruk’s. It was tipped. It looked pretty clear on the Oil feed.
If the Wild can get one more in the next 5 minutes, they can definitely win this one.
Calgary just pulled Kipper for Joseph. 2-0 Avs.
I don’t think we can allow anyone to check Gabby’s head like that. It needs a response. Maybe not tonight unless Edm gets the next goal. Maybe Wed.
and Gabby just HAMMERED someone!
GO AVS
Lemmi, I saw that hit too.. it was quite nice. I like how the Oil fans boo that hit, but cheer a near identical one that was put on gabby.
Marty S. I think there is to little time to send that time of message. I’m sure Boogie will remember no. 25 on Wednesday.
Will do Bandgeek!
Keep lighting up Roloson, you can do it!
Thanks for the update Drummer.
This team is brutal. The minute this team is eliminated they oughta strip the club down and start all over again.
Step #1 is to run Risedump out of town.
This organization is a fruad?!! Again remember where we are versus any of the other expansion teams. Pretty darned good I would say. Wake up, clown.
Come on guys get some rubber on the net.
G*, just a few are saying that and the frustration induced by the inconsistency of the Wild is the reason
Ignore, ignore…..
3:00 left in Colorado, still 2-0 Avs
Complete and total frauds. They don’t care about winning.
Sorry to repeat the score, but I thought the benching of Kipper was interesting. 3 min left in that game.
G*, I am with you all the way on this one. Horrible game? Yeah. Time to seel the team? Certainly not!
So aside from Roy’s kid’s fight….when was the last time we saw a good old fashioned goalie fight? Hasn’t happened this season in the NHL, has it?
I missed the Kipper pull but they do play at home against the Nuks tommorrow night so that could be part of it but it is Mad Mike after all so how knows. 1:00 left now.
Three players worth keeping: Gaborik, Burns, & Koivu.
Get rid of the rest.
Yeah, Ex, I wondered why they pulled Kipper.
You can’t call for changes with a handful of games left and an almost certain playoff spot. Call for DR’s head if we miss the playoffs. Until then, go away.
Austin, this type of game puts the fear in me for the playoffs..they dig deep, and can only scratch the surface? Like they say, in the playoffs anything can happen, but I don’t like their chances when they have team games like this…
I think this game is a good demonstration of why we need to lock up Bouchard this summer. Need playmakers.
Are we going to see Stubborn JL tonight who won’t pull the goalie?
3-0
Avs win.
Avs win…thank God
Better effort in the 3rd.
Avs win!
Ignore that 3-0.
I don’t think pulling the goalie will help. We’re too far behind.
Lemmi: At the end of last season(or maybe 2 seasons ago now), Ottawa’s Ray Emery smacked Buffalo’s Marty Biron around, then fought Buffalo’s enforcer Andrew Peters. That was pretty entertaining.
Oh yeah, another first round playoff drubbing. How fun! Why bother?
it’s just another game- i mean loss! g’nite ya’ll.
I’m sure the Cow Gary fans are just as frustrated about their inconsistency as we are.
Phil that is understandable, but i wouldn’t call this game “digging deep”. They have played hard this trip (except for this game) and they were looking tired. You can’t play at that level every single night. You get tired.
Lemaire just stand there like an idiot.
He’s seriously overrated.
Mike - I don’t know maybe the same reason why you bother posting on here.
How much ice time did Boogie clock there?..seems he was out a lot (for him)
I’ll be in the nosebleeds on Wednesday, drinking my Iron Range Red Kool-Aid. Let’s win out boys!
Where was Risedump’s big trade deadline prize, Chris Simon? He’s made a difference huh?
Olli Jokinen? Don’t need him!
Mike, I am sure the team would be in much better hands with you at the Helm. Every time the team loses a game you wold sell the entire team and start over from scratch.
Here’s to hoping for a better effort on Wed. The boys better be ready because it won’t be an easy game. These Oil can really skate. They danced around us most of the night.
Wild are still in 1st place in the division. Just like they were almost a month ago on the trade deadline. Frustrating season but its hard to call first place not worth it.
They could have packed it in at the deadline but they didn’t. I’m still excited for the playoffs.
Austin, that was my point, they didn’t dig at all…and the bad plays, poor decisions…I don’t know that you can chalk that up to being tired
i’ll be in the 117 section sticking “kick me” sticky notes on the players back when they come in and out of the chute.
I’ll be in the nosebleeds on Wednesday, drinking my Iron Range Red Kool-Aid. Let’s win out boys!
Oh Yeah!
Ex-D - was that the one where the coaches were about to go at it? I saw that one.
I agree about JL being overrated.
Enough of Wild bashing. This was a BAD night for sure. Luckily, Cows lost too so we remain in lead with half a dozen of games left.
This Oilers team is so damn fast, I don’t see our D being able to keep up with them at this point.
Backs did not allow a goal in the 3rd, so this in fact was a good redemption period for him before the Wednesday game.
WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO WIN AT HOME WEDNESDAY.
Good night all.
Boogie got 7:37 total TOI. That is a lot for him.
Parrish had 15:40, Boogey had 8:03
Phil, it’s not all about them being tired… but I think it’s part of it. Playing with the intensity that they did for the past 4 games or so had to take its toll. Just an all around poor effort, and not to mention a GREAT effort by the Oil. Those kids can skate!
Austin….what’s the difference between the TOI and the EV TOT?
A lot of goals from our “non-skill” guys lately. Time to have our “big” guys step up and score some goals.
O.k. The goalie scrimmage is over, when does the game start?
Oh? That was it? SNAP!
Seriously. There was not a playoff team on the ice tonight. Edmonton is built on no defense, and the Wild played with no offense. Any game where you have to debate if Skoula and Boogaard are going to be credited with 60 percent of the goals, you can assume there is a fairly serious problem.
There is not enough Jameson in my house to wipe this game from my memory. Anyone know any liquor stores that deliver after hours?
greelay looks retarted when they do a close up of him
nvm take away the minors….nuff said…see what Hawaiian beer does to a person?
Lemmi, I am not sure actually. I thought the EV TOT was total for the night. Shows what I know. Hey, how about those beers in Denver next weekend?
MO- Colorado liquor stores stay open til 11:50. and starting July 1, open Sundays! enough time for the alcoholic in all of us!
Hill was asked about the team being tired…and he said “is an excuse…the playoffs are like that so we have to be ready”…I think he’s right and way to own up to a, what I hope is just 1, bad game.
Some guys weren’t totally pathetic, although the team in general was. Hard to have two Geritol defensemen keep up with so many fast players. Of course, neither could anyone else, either.
It is worth noting that Parrish was a +1 tonight, the only other + guys being Schultz (not surprising) and Boogard (hmmm…). Doesn’t guarantee anything, but there sure were lots of other guys who sucked a whole lot more and contributed less at least today.
Phil, I agree. Good on Hill for that quote. His attitude is right, he just needs to get the lead out of his arse. He is still a liability on the ice. Especially when paired with Skoula!
I still can’t get over the fact the Sean Hill had two points tonight.
What I witnessed in Edmonton tonight was an absolute disaster.
Granted, we played even with the Grease for 55 minutes. Sadly, however, the Oil won the first 5 minutes 3-0, and that was basically the difference in the game, IMO.
Sean Hill was worse than a non-factor tonight. Between he and Keith Carney, they were on the ice for every Edmonton goal. And no defensive depth in Houston (Houston, we have a problem…)
Time to come home, folks. G’night.
The Oil reminded me tonight of a younger Wild team - Fast skating. Then we realized that doesn’t get us far in the playoffs. Should be interesting to see what happens with their squad should they sneak in…
Also, it’s interesting that the Wild can’t provide physicality in a game, they can only match in. Why didn’t we hit the Oil at all?
I know few like him here, but I’ll take Hill any day, and twice on Sundays, over Skoula
sorry - can only match “it”
While we’re ripping the grandpa blue liners, let’s not forget Burns horrendous play tonight.
I’ll say this, though - they’re coming home after a week on the road still in first place.
Well Austin, at least I have Allison Stokke thanks to you!
Why didn’t we hit the Oil at all?
Because you can’t hit what you can’t catch.
Thats my point exactly Hockeydad.
How many players/coaches will bring out the old tried and true “we weren’t ready to play tonight” or “we didn’t have our legs when the game started” bullsh!t? Fairly sad. The only reprieve is that Calgary sux on the road lately, so if the Ws can handle business the next three games, with any luck they will have decent separation from the Flames prior to the final home game of the regular season.
Amen hockeydad..I think the “old man” moniker gets used way too often here
BDS: I agree that the “muckers” have been kicking in a few goals for us lately, but we can’t afford our top forwards to sit games out now because of a sore leg and crampy tummy. Half a dozen games left in a battle for the #3 seed and we begin to show our softer side. Yikes.
What happened to our slow, boring defensive team? Seven goals in two games is nice, but not if it means you are running in a track meet. Sean Hill and Keith Carney used to walk to school with Lord Stanley himself, and Skoula jumps every time he crosses the blue line to keep from tripping over it.
Last year in the playoffs we learned that you can’t learn size. We took care of that. Is this going to be the year that we learn that you can’t learn speed?
Phil: Burns was awful tonight but both Carney and Hill looked to be about 57 years old out there the first two periods. The number of high quality scorig chances the Grease had through 20 minutes was boderline criminal. Had to look twice to the calendar to make sure it didn’t read 1985 the way the Oilers were flying around.
Allison Stokke will make all things well phil.
So, Lemmiwinks… I guess I am just not a cool as NiNY. I see how it is.
Good night everybody! Go Wild Wednesday!
Mo: I don’t think it’s quite time to stomp on the panic button. The Ws were flat at the start and it cost them the game. That said, the team played three brutal-tough road games leading up and played pretty well in all three. Team gets 2 of the next 3 it will be in GREAT shape to clinch the NW when the Flamers come here to close the home regular season schedule.
Deep, the 1st 3 goals were the difference makers and I don’t know if the “old men” are to blame for any of them..I knowe Burns and Skoula were..maybe the “flying” just made them look older than the are
Yeah, Mo - someone on Saturday was pining for an open, more offensive, yet physical, game plan against the Flames (theory being the other way wasn’t working). This is the Western Conference and the only way to win consistently is to skate your a$$ off, especially without the puck. Defensively, we must be much, much tighter on Wednesday against these guys.
Oh, and does Marian Gaborik still play for the Wild?
Wild - (PMB + Demo) = No Puck Possession.
However, the main strategy vs. the Oilers right now might be defense first through the first period - the Oil also got 3 of their 7 on the Avs in the 1st period on Sat. and 3 of their 8 on PHX last Wed. in the 1st.
I’m not neccessrily talking about just the goals. Carney and Hill were getting beat all night like they had stole something. They looked real slow and it was depressing to watch. Like I typed before, the number of high-quality scoring chances the Grease had through two periods was criminal.
It does not sound like the Flames were ready tonight either. It will continue to be a dog fight.
Harding was directly responsible for a goal by passing right to an Oiler
Ok, well I’m back from the bar, where I had to endure minute after minute of NHL on the Fly replays of tonight’s debacle.
I found myself looking for positives in tonight’s game, and trying hard to identify the negatives. By Summit #3, I had a short list on a napkin:
Negatives:
1. Aside from 3 shifts, no forecheck.
2. Skoula
3. Hill
4. Backstrom
5. Skoula
6. Rolston
7. Skoula
8. See #6 above.
9. Shots from the point.
10. 22 Giveaways.
11. The PP.
12. Gaborik’s 22 mins of non-factor
13. Koivu. Mikko is not what he was before the injury, for sure.
Positives:
1. SRV + Radio. Good effort, they tried, but they can’t do it alone. 6 shots, 5 hits and a takeaway. No points though.
2. Gaborik’s 3 backchecks and 1:10 of effort. Wow.
3. Shots from the point.
4. The hitting they started in the 3rd. If there was anyone backing up the plays, they would have managed some turnovers on that.
I listened to the first 5 minutes on the radio and turned it off. I can’t bring myself to even watch the ‘highlights’ this morning. Good day to be a Oiler’s fan eh?
All the talk early in this about bad video got me to thinking…
Does the NHL have any standard for arena lighting? It seems to me that dim lighting would give an advantage to skaters and be a disadvantage to goalies. I’m not accusing the oil of doing such but maybe poor lighting overall (as possibly indicated by the poor tv experience) is part of the reason for such high scoring games coming out of their arena lately.
The webite is currently FUBAR. What am I supposed to do with my time??
Hmmm.. seems to work on Firefox, anyone else having troubles?
Wednesday will be interesting. Hopefully the Oil train stops rolling in St. Paul.
It wasn’t working with Firefox for a while either, now it is.
I guess we have to cheer for Vancouver tonight? I’m confused.
Burns had a rough night.
Pouliot and Sheppard are a HUGE liability at the face-dot.
I want to see more Foy and Parrish crashing the net.
Skoula.
Rolston.
Well the recipe to stop the Wild is out. Control Demitra and PMB and you control the game.
However, even with all that negativity, the Wild were just one hat trick away from winning this game.
I really don’t have any idea what the Wild are doing with Matt Foy. The guy has always been good at getting to the crease with the puck.
Watching the game last night, was like accidently walking in on your grandma in the shower.
Try as you might, you just can’t get that image out of your head. It just seemed to burns into your retinas.
That game was so putrid, that I had to take a shower after the game, just from watching it.
Some major concerns I have, after watching the last few games …
“PAGING Team Captain Marion Gaborik - please report to your team!”
Gabby has disappeared
Brent Burns has looked awful defensively the last 3-4 games.
The Wild need to find some young DEFENSIVELY SOUND D-men during the summer. (Carney & Hill have to go, and Nummelin is gone to Europe)
I am concerned about Benoit Pouliot. The guy just coasts when he does not have the puck. He needs to start skating to get open, or to get into position. Plus by coasting, he leaves himself flat-footed when he does get the puck.
Something is seriously wrong with Mikko Koivu. He looks just terrible (for him) I just have to think his leg injury still bothers him tremendously.
That’s all I have for now. Just thinking about the game, makes me want to go throw up.
What’s with this format?
Oh how I long for the heady carefree days of the ‘Slowdown Cowboy’ message. Seems like since they ‘fixed’ that the site has been a lot less stable.
Seems to be working again, no?
Wow - this blog has been about as effective as a certain D-core was last night!
Shooter (yes, Shooter disclaimer goes here) has the following on the mystery Wild investor we learned of a few months ago:
Phil Falcone, a Chisholm, Minn., native who played hockey at Harvard and became a billionaire hedge fund manager who resides in New York, is expected to invest nearly $45 million to become general partner in the Wild with Leipold. Falcone would own nearly 40 percent of the team.
Falcone, by the way, scored the winning goal for Harvard in a 5-3 NCAA semifinal victory over the Gophers in 1983 before his team lost to Wisconsin in the finals, the Duluth News Tribune recalls.
yeah up and down blog today… this is the first time it has worked today. Has anyone sent an email to IT??
Amen on this site stinking. Couldn’t get on all morning. Never thought I’d wish I were a cowboy again.
I have not been around much since the cowboy days but this seems worse.
Great game by the boys last night..and I work with a grease fan..go figure out of the two hockey fans in GA I work with him.
I was speechless last night. Long time since…
I saw a pulled goalie return in the 3rd.
I saw a goalie send such a perfect pass to a rushing opponant coming straight at him for the assist.
I saw a defenseman (idiot defenseman) pass to the opponant and skate off the ice as fast as he could…what an assist!
Talk about a group that plays like they are entitled to the Cup. I guess these guys figure they have it made straight to the finals. Yikes…how demoralizing as a fan! Good news…Edmonton has learned that big ticket veterans do not equal victories. I think this team will change a great deal in the off season.
We all see the same thing, but I have a different opinion and that is merely that the Northwest is just about the most competitive it can possibly be and for all of this year.
Each small flaw or mis-step shows up on the scoreboard.
I do not think it is so much one goat but two or three gaffe’s by different guys for each play we do not like.
They are getting better. The cycle of inept play is smaller.
Just think, five games to play against five highly competive opponents. Any of those teams can finish from first in the NW to out of the playoffs.
They cannot get any momentum because every team they play is fighting for their lives. So every game is gruelling.
The Av’s looked terrible against the Oilers, even worse than the Wild did. But, then they come back and blitz Calgary who just beat the Wild.
My crystal ball says the Wild will have W’s against both Edmonton and Calgary and one of the Av’s games. So, it will be interesting to see what the Canucks game has in store.
i know this is said over and over but how in the world is Skoula still not being held accountable for being an idiot?
Whats the deal with that Mike guy. It was bad…changes will come. The GM and COach cannot make these guys play with passion. Lock up the young guys (which we have mostly except PMB). The others…leave that to cap and trade. Go young
Jeff T, Mike is a regular troll around here. He pops up when the Wild lay a stinker and cries about how much the team blows.
Skoula had been playing pretty well lately, but that move last night was appauling. He cleared the puck all the way to the red line and decided it was a perfect opprotunity to change. Awful.
Wednesday should be interesting. They better come to play because we know the Oil will. I am glad JL has gone back to mandatory practices. Get to work boys! The NW Division title is within your grasps!
What a damn disaster. We were outplayed completely. I tried to be optimistic! Isn’t it the coaches job to help the team prepare for games. These optional practices were a bad idea in my book. Who cares if the veterans are whining. Too bad. Do your damn job. It is what you get paid for! JL needs to scrack the whip and whoever wants to whine about being pushed too hard can sit the hell out. So what our points standing isn’t bad; our play and effort on the ice IS. This hot and cold Wild team is driving me crazy. Someone needs to get control of this group and learn how to lead. Again, my analysis of this team: they are group of individuals. We will never get anywhere until we become a team.
I heard Schultzie on the radio this morning (the boys flew back this morning) and they asked him if there was going to be practice today. He kind of laughed a little and said “Well, we’ll find out on the plane.” One of them said JL might just have them land the plane at Parade and Schultz laughed and said “yeah, that’s a possibility.”
You know JL is gonna bust their humps today after the huge STB at the Pharmacy last night.
Been crazy at work this morning. Haven’t read all the post but just wanted to comment on the game last night. That game was gross, absolutly repulsive. And these guys think they deserve the option to skate….
I must say reading some of these comments this morning is quite entertaining, lol.
13 hours later the game still looks bad. However, I watch a LOT of hockey (getting my money’s worth out of Center Ice!) and most teams from both conferences have had a game or so like the Wild posted last night. Tough to watch?? Yep. But, I think JL knew the only way to get the boys’ attention was to let them hang themselves, let them see why he’s in charge and they aren’t, experience why optional skates shouldn’t be.
I’m actually glad we saw goals from guys who typically don’t score. It’s good to know that when everyone focuses on the usual suspects that we can get a few in the net from other sources.
I’m actually more concerned about defense and goaltending. The days of Mitchell and Fernandez/Roloson are clearly over. I’ve never been a fan of Backstrom and sitting your back-up for so long means he won’t be sharp when he DOES play. Practice is one thing. Games are another.
Still, we’re clinging to first place in our division. Maybe since almost no one showed up to play last night, most everyone will be present and accounted for on Wednesday. Dimetra and PMB better be healthy because they’re clearly critical to our top lines.
And, if we need to get a young up-and-coming team fix this week-end, we can catch the Gophers/Eagles match-up! Kangas is amazing.
I’m uncharacteristically unconcerned about last night. Playing the last game of a long, grueling road trip without two of your best players is no small thing. Ice made the point that the Grease (and all the teams we’ll play the rest of the way) are fighting for their lives. I suppose the point could me made that we should be playing like we’re fighting for our lives, too. We didn’t do that last night. If you take a game (or even a period, or even a few minutes)off, the other team will most likely make you pay dearly for it. I think the boys learned their lesson last night, and we’ll see a much different team tomorrow.
I’m a lot more concerned about the idea that what we all feared is coming to pass: two games without Foster, nine goals against. I’m not sure how we’re going to overcome that, but we’d better start figuring it out, and fast.
Oops. I should say ten goals against. my bad.
Oops. I should say ten goals against in the last two games. My bad.
Is there anyone else out there that would like to come on here and say how bad they played last night? Anyone? Anyone?
What a freaking broken record…for all those that haven’t read the 430 comments, don’t bother. They all say the exact same thing.
Hi Mike!
What station was Schultz on?
I can’t really comment on yesterday’s game except that while I tivoed it, I couldn’t bare to watch it after the first 5 minutes. I knew I shouldn’t have voiced my concerns about the game because it came to fruition. I just sensed that Backstrom was going to get pulled again and we were going to lose.
Ten goals against in two games ought to get everyones attention. And, the attention needed it pretty equal.
Like Dave said, on the end of a gruelling road trip, it is not a surprise.
It is what happens next that is.
JL can’t run these guys too hard because they all need gas in their tanks for the next ten days and more.
Becky said it, that JL needed to give the team enough rope for them to hang themselves and they did.
It is what happens next that is more important. I think we will see a team that is ready to play.
this ain’t an excuse for skoula vacating the far side of the ice but shouldn’t someone, and not the guy replacing skoula, been on or coming on to cover that side?
he still should have recognized that no one was coming but perhaps someone else should have been over there?
there seems to be an ongoing issue of players on this years edition, not learning from mistakes.
i think backstrom getting pulled was more because JL could sense that the other 18 were not going to help out and he didn’t want his #1 being ran over like he was in an all-star game. also why he put him back in for the 3rd.
The fact is the Wild are still in good playoff position.
And I think last night’s embarrasement could “light the fire” and cause them to refocus. Perhaps a blessing in disguise …
sunshine: Schultz is a regular on 93X (93.7 FM) every Tuesday morning during the season.
Skoula has regressed in the last week enough to have his old tag re-applied to him. So, without further adieu..
..welcome back SKOUBA!
It was a live-action nightmare last night. Skouba leaving his teammates in the middle of an opponent’s rush? If he felt exhausted then, IMO he should do ‘Herbies’ until he keels over. You never EVER leave your team undermanned when the opponent is on an offensive attack. That’s taught to most players in pee-wees. Is ‘Bad Marty’ that brain-dead?
The rest of the ‘D’ left a lot to be desired. Carney and Hill are ready for the NHL Veterans’ Lounge; Foster’s leg is still in pieces (although he is apparently on the mend); and Burns & Schultz can’t do it all by themselves.
DR will need to overhaul the ‘D’ this summer. But that does nothing for the rest of this week.
The mandatory practicing will help (despite what Rolston, Demitra and some of the other vets think) as it will force them to focus on what’s in front of them.
Play like you want to make the playoffs. Not just back in again…
If we are seriously thinking playoff run we can’t afford ANY games like this. If this is a look at whats to come in the playoffs, YIKES. I know it’s only one game but if we get down in a 7 game series that ONE game could mean the end.
I have always questioned the condition of this team in terms of physical endurance. For a bunch of young, professional athletes they sure get winded quick. I’m not talking Carney, Hill and that ilk but geez. Maybe it was just so glareing obvious last night because they all looked like a bunch of pylons.
We are venting because it was horribly frustrating. A good game tomorrow and we will barely remember it. I still remain concerned though about goaltending and D without Foster. Just think that with Hill and Carney we are playing 2 #6 guys. I hope I am wrong on both counts. 4 of 5 at home. Time to bring it on home. Flames-Canucks tonight. Please no 3 point game.
I’m sorry but how do 4 freaking games qualify as a “grueling” road trip? Didn’t the Sharks & Ducks have 8 or 9 game roadies this season? Our longest was 5 games back in December.
Effort, effort, effort. That’s all it comes down to. Talk about broken record. You could attach these posts to 30 or more games this season, and it would all apply.
I can only hope this team can prove me wrong in the playoffs. Maybe it’s some master plan to stay rested for a long playoff run. I just don’t see how all of the sudden this team will flip a switch, and put up a consistent effort come playoff time.
Thanks. Its too bad that 93X doesn’t save their interviews.
WRT: I agree with you. This summer, DR needs to get a couple D-man. I don’t forsee Foster coming back in time for the start of next year. Hill and Carney are done.
I think we are pretty good with centers with Koivu, Belanger, Sheppard, and Pouliot.
If the boys can’t handle a “gruelling” 4 game road trip, how are they going to handle a (at least) 16 game playoff?
The team has no heart and the players on the team have delusions of super-stardom. The just don’t seem to be interested in working hard.
I’m happy to have seen them play a few times in person, and most games on the tv. And I like that they have won more than they’ve lost. But I have no delusion about what happens to the Wild once the playoffs start - and yes, I’m assuming they will make the playoffs; I’d say that’s nearly certain: no heart or willingness to work hard in the playoffs and you get run over.
Personally,I think DR needs to go as I have stated before, as well as JL. Not having them ready at the start of a game is a coaching issue,and it has occurred several times this year, unlike years past.
I don’t put the blame squarely on JL. He is part of the problem but I think the problem also lies with the players themselves. They weren’t ready to play. JL can’t force them to work out.
I have found that this team can’t really play against fast, run-n-gun teams. Look at LA, Chicago, Capitals, Hurricanes, Oilers and Penguins.
i think DR knew he would be changing the face of the defense well before last night.
Sunshine: the Ws have beaten the Kings, had a 9-game winning streak against the Blackhawks; have owned the Grease the past couple of seasons and played very well against the Pens. Looked very,very bad against the Caps and in the first period against the Canes, but to say the Ws don’t play well against that group is simply false.
A few thoughts:
PMB and Pavol were sorely missed, they are the types that would have excelled against a team like Edmonton.
Any timeframe on how quickly Rammer could teach Voros how to be a defenceman, it probably wouldn’t hurt?
If the staff/players thought they turned a corner, they should have checked their Garmin and realized they were turning into a cul-de-sac.
Glad little Gato was defiant about going to sleep on time so I didn’t have to watch.
Still disappointed Calgary got Jim Vandermeer for a 3rd round pick, he’d be our 3rd best defenceman (although he should probably be more prudent than picking on a beast like Simon, at least he has some guts).
Who came up with the term “The Ws” in reference to the Wild. That is pretty lame. Ws? I actually saw Reusse use it last week. Again, lame.
Gruelling road trip because … who they played and because the importance of the games. They get through the difficult ones and then relax for a minute against a team fighting for its life and who made Colorado look way worse than the Wild.
If you get into a long series with one team it is equal.
I do not think this team has the luxury of making mistakes nor does it have the luxury of playing at less than it can.
And, I think that is because they are still basically a young team.
That is why the addition of Simon will turn out to be better than his reputation suggests.
When they are focused and playing well they can match anyone. I still think there is a better probability of them doing well from now to the end than hitting a wall.
Paraphrase from the movie ‘Better Off Dead’ on today’s blog issues:
Sorry your blog (mom) blew up Mikey (Ricky)!
If they face Flamers in 1st round, they lose series 4-1. Just like last year. I don’t care if they matched Flamers physical play the other night(finally).They just simply can’t beat them or expect to-especially in the Horrordome. Not a chance.
LOL, El Gato.
“Better Off Dead”. Hah! That’s a classic!
Does that add another title to the list of movies that have been referenced or quoted here?
You know what’s really lame?
Must resist temptation to go there…
So, who do we play next? I’m looking forward to putting this game against the grease behind us as soon as possible.
We play…..the Grease.
I get your sarcasm, Goody. I got it a little late, but I got it. Sorry….
Lane Myer: Sorry Johnny, I don’t have a dime.
Johnny: Didn’t ask for a dime. Two dollars.
Lane Myer: My little brother got his arm stuck in the microwave. So my mom had to take him to the hospital. My grandma dropped acid this morning, and she freaked out. She hijacked a busload of penguins. So it’s sort of a family crisis. Bye!
Sometimes after being at work for upwards of 10 hours I get a little loopy. Sorry about that.
The Wild were totally unprepared last night. We must remember though that this seems to be a completely different Oilers team than they faced earlier in the year. Perhaps they were prepared for that team. The Oilers’ quick work to hang 3 goals in the first 4 shots in the first 5 minutes would throw any team off of any game plan. Tough to recover at that point.
You’re awesome, ATX. Is there a movie that you can’t quote extensively?
don’t like the “W’s” either
Goody, don’t any of these guys (or coaches) maybe watch film or watch highlights of games? To not expect this (since the same thing happened only a few nights earlier vs Col) seems to be a sign of being ill prepared.
Austin, there’s nothing better than Barney Rubble talking to Lane from the TV asking Lane if he could ask Beth out, since he wasn’t seeing her any more!
Dave, Thanks to IMDB… NO.
Same with me on the W’s, it’s not like ‘the Wild’ is a long, cumbersome name.
I WANT MY TWO DOLLARS!
So I guess no practice today? I hope so and I hope JL bag skates them — not too harshly, of course. Just enough.
The game tomorrow night would fit the definition of ‘pivotal’ in my book.
They haven’t been good at home of late.
The team they’re playing destroyed them last night.
By gametime, they’ll probably be in 6th place in the conference.
No word on whether PMB or Demitra will be back. We know Foster will not.
Another slow start would be inexcusible.
On the bright side? It looks more and more that they should make the playoffs.
El Gato, I know they’ve got a guy who reviews video. Remember, he filled in behind the bench for Ramsey a few times.
This isn’t like football though. They don’t have a week to prepare for each opponent. Still, I see your point. They should at least be sitting down for an hour before each game and talking about things the video guy picks up on.
They owned the Avs; shutout the Kings; dominated the Devils and got beat by Brodeur and lost in a shootout to the best team in the NHL. I wouldn’t say the team has struggled of late at home.
Goody and El Gato: They do watch video and go over the game plan. Hill and Foster talked about it at a Hockey Unplugged this season.
sunshine, they must do that at practice, oh wait, practices are optional. DOH!
What ever happened to the section in the Sunday paper that DON RUSSO was going to write featuring out questions?
I didn’t see anything in Sunday’s paper.
5-5 in their past 10 home games isn’t what I would call being ‘dominant at home’ either Deep.
Sorry, but shootout losses at home are just those…losses.
After what happened last night, I would love to see Rolston, Demo, etc walk into JL’s den and ask for more optional practices. Would love to be a fly on the wall for that one.
Damp…he pushed it back a week to cover the ‘no touch icing’ topic.
Dampland, i think he mentioned that it was postponed due to a different story. I hope it will be coming soon.
Dang kj, you scooped me!!
Damp, the Foster thing threw that plan out of whack. That was a more important subject, even though he pretty much took my question and ran with it for his Monday Parrish article, right Mr. Russo!
JL has the boys working their bags off today. No way did they get a pass after last nights debacle.
It’s one thing to STB on the road, the boys can’t come home and sheeeeeet in their own bed tomorrow night. I’m calling a 4-2 WILD (not Ws) victory. The fourth coming on an empty netter with :32.7 left by Huggy Bear.
The last 4 at home have been very good efforts. I don’t worry about shootout losses because, and I’d have to check with the League on this, there are no shootout losses in the playoffs. If the team gives that kind of effort in the next 4, the NW title will be solidified by the time the wheels touch down in Colorado on Saturday, April 5.
Deep…and if last night was a vision of the future, it will be a short one.
I still cannot fathom HOW you come up with such a stinker with so much at stake.
Thanks for the update …..I missed the part about the article being postponed.
I wonder how Foy would do on the blueline? Contrary to what many believe, you actually have to be a good skater to be a defenseman, and I think Foy is a much better skater than Voros.
BNAG, that is a precision guesstimate… 32.7 ticks left? I say the Wild get a 6-3 victory. Those kids can’t play D great, but they sure skate fast enough to get a few goals. There is that slight possibility that the Wild completely shut them down this time around though… could end up being a 2-1, or 2-0 game, which I would perfer over the prior prediction.
Mmmmm I’m getting hungry for some crow again.
I predict a 0-10 defeat by the Oilers.
Stortini gets a hat-trick, and Boogaard gets his butt whooped by Gagner in a fight.
KJ: I would have been more surprised if I hadn’t seen it so often this year. The only consistent thing about this team has been its inconsistency. Yet, go on a short winning streak at home and we’ll be able to raise the first legit banner in the “X”. Sorry fans, that #1 Fans banner does not count. Nice and gimmicky, but it does not count.
Dampland; Since Voros and Foy are the bellhop and maitre d’ at ‘Chateau Bow-Wow’ right now, I really don’t think they’ll be doing much of anything. Neither one can get in the line-up, as Slovak after Slovak skates out there, not doing anything…
Deep…don’t be so negative.
I am #1 in the Wild’s eyes…
WRT: Parrish is the Vallet at ‘Chateau Bow-Wow, but was given a one-day reprieve out of neccessity because Demo had an owie on his leg and PMB had the poopies.
I’ve finally calmed down after last night. Work didn’t help as it was a no-brainer day so all I did was sit and think about hockey and stuff envelopes (352 envelopes to be exact) with info on our summer special events. I was so happy when I saw what Russo wrote above about JL and no more optional practices. It’s one thing to call them once in a while when they’ve been playing really well as a reward but when they are all optional and the guys don’t show, well it’s their job. If I don’t go to work I don’t get paid, practices are part of their jobs so they better go to work. Now I’m all worked up about the lack of drive last night, stupid hockey players…….think I’ll go rub some doggy tummies, that always cheers me up and calms me down, and makes the dogs happy also.
Nummi must be the chef, since he’s the one most familiar with the popcorn?
kj said On the bright side? It looks more and more that they should make the playoffs.
Playoffs?! Are you kidding me!? Playoffs?! Who said anything about making the playoffs!?
Sorry, Jim Mora never gets old!
By gametime, they’ll probably be in 6th place in the conference
wasn’t this predicted a few weeks ago and it never happened? or at least something similar.
Playoffs???
We may never win another game!!!
food
Our much anticipated late afternoon snack has arrived…
Deep Breath, the glass is half full, I agree and not half empty.
