Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Edmonton
Posted on March 26th, 2008 – 6:31 PMBy Michael Russo
Here’s the Wild notebook . It wasn’t on the Wild page until now.
FYI, if the season ended today, the Wild would host the Dallas South Stars in the first round.
Benoit Pouliot was scratched, and quite frankly, it slipped my mind after, so Kent will ask why Thursday. The Wild isn’t skating Thursday, but it is having an off-ice workout.
Big bounceback victory tonight as the Wild regained the NW Division lead by a point, although idle Calgary has a game in hand.
Edmonton is in trouble. It’s only three points behind Vancouver, who got killed tonight, but the Oilers only have four games left and the Canucks have five.
Since the Strib has been running that optimist/pessimist chart everyday, we’ll stick with that theme.
The pessimist would say the Wild got lucky, or as Oilers coach Craig MacTavish said, “We didn’t have any puck luck.”
And he’s right. The Oilers hit five posts and always seemed to be a second too late at pouncing on loose pucks when Niklas Backstrom was down.
But the optimist would say the Wild was exceptional in the neutral zone limiting Edmonton’s speed and cutting down the odd-man rushes that killed them Monday in Edmonton.
The only odd-man rush I remember is that time 40 seconds into the second when Mikko Koivu lost Jarret Stoll for a breakaway. But Stoll seemed to lose the puck and it went wide. Of course, there was that one time Nick Schultz lost the puck in his own zone as he tried to cross to Kim Johnsson, but Sam Gagner clanked the pipe.
That was the most dangerous of the posts/crossbars, considering the time and score.
Branko Radivojevic continued his tremendous play lately. Jacques Lemaire must be rubbing off on me, but who cares about Radivojevic’s big goal and assist? This dude was outstanding defensively and was the man on the 6-for-6 PK.
“Radio” did have his first multiple-point game in more than a year and scored his third goal in six games after going 35 in a row without one.
Koivu had his third career three-assist game and fifth-career three-point game, and won 7 of 8 draws in the third period after winning just 2 of 9 in the first two periods.
Sean Hill, after breaking a 90-game goal drought Monday in Edmonton, scored for the second game in a row, and his second-period goal acted as the winner. People do forget that Hill was once a marksman in this league.
Hill’s the first player to go 90 plus without a goal, then have a goal in two straight since Derian Hatcher, 125 games without (12/6/05-3/13/07). Source: Elias Sports Bureau.
Brian Rolston was outstanding and scored his 33rd career shortie. Wild was tied for last in the NHL with two shorties before Rolston’s. Team’s first since Jan. 3.
Rolston, who’s been one of the Wild’s best forwards the past month, is now one goal short of his third-straight 30-goal campaign. For all the Rolston bashers out there, consider this: Where would the Wild be without his offense, and where will it be if it doesn’t re-sign him?
Wild is 43-7-6 the past two seasons when he scores a goal.
This was the Wild’s first three-game home winning streak since Nov. 28-Dec. 2, which is pretty amazing for a team that was so exceptional at home last season.
Niklas Backstrom tied Manny Fernandez’s team record with his 30th win. He’s amazingly 9-0 against Edmonton. Why’s that amazing? He’s been yanked in his last three starts in Edmonton.
331 Responses to "Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Edmonton"
I didn’t think I would be sying this at any point during this season… but I hope Pouliot gets the nod.
Me too, Austin.
Did you go shirt shopping yet Russo?
what did I miss in Russoville today, Austin? I just scanned the posts…seemed like a lot of “mine is bigger than yours” and all that BS
How did you put it earlier Austin? Rah Rah sis boom bah GOOOO WILD!!! (add a standing back handspring)
Pouliot actually makes the most sense against the Oilers anyway, judging by what we saw two days ago. He’s one of the only guys we have who can match the speed and energy of their young guys.
Bandgeek, something like that. NiNY, there is a lot of good reading in the second half of today’s post. Some funny stuff actually. I had a good time with it today.
I think by back handspring needs work though… and something about emphasising the correct syllables. 
Well, one thing you missed, NiNY - “Mike” was completely unmasked. Gave me a whole new appreciation for the depths of his agitator style. But now that his jig is up, I’m disappointed that his schtick may no longer work like it did.
Signing off for now. Hopefully I get caught up enough in the game later to join in the fun here.
NiNY - btw, are you still blocked from Russolville at work, or have you just been … you know, working at work?
Hockeydad: both…and none the happier for either.
Who is Mike? And whom was he impersonating?
Parrish better put out tonight, I can’t imagine why JL wouldn’t want the younger, faster guy to match up with the Grease’s horses.
nice steady breakout by Skoula there…we’ll need more of that.
RADIO!!
Nick, Mike of the Mild Lemmings Mike. Guys I don’t think Mike and Michael R. are one and the same. For all his faults Mike (Mild Lemming Mike) has never been mean to someone because of their sex like Michael R was today……WOOOOOO RADIO!!!!!!!!!
RADIO
Stortini = turtle
I think that’s 3 straight decisions for Boogaard, no?
BOOOGIE!!!! Kickin’ some Stortini tush.
Maybe the long break has allowed Boogaard to regain his mojo?
band: there was some misogenism today? can you give me an approx. time that this happened?
wow…that was a sick save by Roli.
Awww, Princess P is a scratch?
a goal here wouldn’t suck
Demo on the wing lately has been awful…bad pass/shoot decisions, and when he does shoot it’s not even close.
Nick - try 1:32 pm.
Hill!! Two games in a row for father time!
Again?
Sean Effin Hill??!?!?!
Sweet goal. Roli ALMOST got it.
HILL!!!
I like the high camera behind the net.
Nick some time in the second half of the last thread, this Michael R. tool started raggin’ on SS6, don’t worry though, she gave better than she got. He had to resort to the old “it must be your time of the month” line. Pathetic really.
To much fancy passing on this ……. never mind. HILLL!!!!!!
thanks VoR…outstanding vision my Mikko on that dish to Hill
I like how that dick stuck his leg out to trip Hill after the goal.
“Old Man Hill” did good..2 goals in 2 games..
OMG, I gotta get out of the office and home to watch this one. Freakin’ clients.
if they hold this lead it will be trap city by the time you get to the estancia, Hockeydad.
Who’d a thunk it ..Radio and Hill!
I like the start to this one quite a bit more then on Monday night.
Oh and apparently I’m SS6’s long lost sister or something.
Does Edmonton have a backup goalie or are they stuck with Roloson?
Carney with the vinegar…I like it.
Last 5 Wild goals: Schultz, Hill, Fridge, Radio and Hill.
Of course, that makes sense
Carney and Hill:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8b/StatlerAndWaldorf.jpg
Mathieu Garon is the backup. So yes, they’re stuck with Roli. 
looks like I’m missing some fun. Light up Rolison more!
looked like the ref let himself get talked into that call - unless the trailer called it first
So how many of you saw the bit on Shepp living with Darby in the pre-game show? Funny. Darby’s kids are cute. My favorite part was when Shepp and the youngest kept say “you are”, “you are” to each other. Also showed a picture of Marney’s baby, 9.5 lbs, ouch, big boy.
Band: wow…well it seemed like she was pregnant for about 2 years.
This is hard to say…but I agree with Greenlay…that was a good penalty to take if you’re Gilbert.
oohh…and it’s Pitkanen too…two defensemen in the box for the Grease…
….a goal HERE wouldn’t suck either.
So can we do something with this 5 on 3? I sure hope so.
NiNY, I had a post all typed up especially for you, but I didn’t have the heart to post it. Just wanted to see if smoke could travel through the tubes of the internets.
Should have given it to someone other than Rolston because obviously that’s not working. Stop with the fancy passing and get the puck on the net.
toivo: quoi?
they certainly had their chances on this PP…
It started with a tale about a certain CA county and went downhill from there.
But I resisted the urge! If only I could have said no to the nymphomaniac who owned the bar.
that’s bad waa for us not scoring on that 1:30 5 on 3
aha! I don’t know CA geography at all…is Vallejo close to you?
The city is, but I don’t think a county by that name exists.
D’OH! yeah, it’s a city…
Next up: The Barometer Period. The guys need to avoid a lull and increase the lead. Oh yeah!
Alex: I concur wholeheartedly.
Winning this period would be a very positive development.
Does anyone know at what point does Edmonton’s hope for making the playoffs become impossible, points-wise?
Apropos of very little… I’m glad the Center Ice feed tonight is FSN-NO. I didn’t appreciate Terhaar until I moved away from MN and got subjected to three-fourths of the rest of the league’s announcers.
Woog and Mazzacco (sp) do a decent job with the Gophers.
In all fairness Band, ss6 did go after MR first, not that he didn’t deserve it but she did call him an ass and a dick before he said anything about her cycles.
That being said, I’d have to give the nod to MR for accomplishing his goal of moving Russoville off the topic of Monday’s horrid game. That bastard can get under our skin here.
I agree with you, I don’t think Mike equals Michael R. Who cares?? The game is on and we’re winning!!
Bead: I can’t figure the math, but they’ve got 4 games left - two against the Flames, and one each against the Avs and Canucks. So they can do plenty to help the Wild. A loss tonight and I think you’d say the Grease can’t do it without some help.
Bead: as of right now, the Grease have played 77 games and have 83 points. That means including this game the most points they could finish with is 93.
Even if they lose this game in regulation, they could still finish with 91 points. So as of right now, they could still TECHNICALLY catch anyone with fewer than 93 points.
Wow, that was close. Last thing we need is to give up a goal in the first minute.
Rolston….sigh. Not his night so far.
2 good shifts in a row for the Wild
I don’t think that was intentional by Boogey, but he didn’t really try NOT to fall on him
Alex: you lost me with the Terhaar love. Not that the league is awash with good PBP guys, but he’s an unrepentant homer IMO.
Hooome.
Keep scoring!
Agree about Terhar…..a little more objectivity would be nice.
(I would get someone to make bodily contact with Roli ASAP, BTW, knowing his penchant for losing his sh!t.)
Nope Nick, he got tangled up with Brozny fellow. Sick, poor Roli, that’s gotta suck.
Man…nuclear reactors take less time to fire up than Rolston’s shot.
Terhar needs to quit trying to call penalties.
Parrish denied.
IMO, Terhaar needs to stop doing anything other than describing the play. He interjects way too much editorial for me - the fact that it’s so biased only makes it worse.
It’s a rule isn’t it that every game on Center Ice goes to a commercial within 10 seconds of each other?
Thanks. I was hoping that we at least start eliminating teams from the playoffs but it looks unlikely still. sigh…
Leaving the homerism aside (although I do agree with that assessment), I just like his call. He’s got a good voice, he gets the players’ names into the call a lot, which I like, and he gets excited. This is my first year of Center Ice, and it just seems like so many of the other announcers are bored when they’re calling the game. Just my opinion, though.
Not everyone can be Gary Thorne, after all.
Alex: I agree he’s got a pretty good voice, and he does get excited, you’re right about that.
These two take a lot of grief around here anyway. I’m about a 6 year veteran of CI, and they are one of my least favorite tandems in the league.
Either we’re all being polite and waiting our turn to post or the Strib IT department fixed the blog. The whole out of order posting seems to be fixed.
Whoever does the call for Vancouver is great, that guy knows how to call a game. I also can’t stand Terhar’s overuse of the term fires to describe a shot.
Scott: Jim Hughson is the guy you’re thinking of.
Ahh maybe it’s just familiarity, then. I’ve still got a little MN homesickness going…
Thanks Nick.
Alex: you just left Minny?
Boy the way this one is going we really need to score the next goal.
The newer Bud Light commercial with the English students, well the blond that looks like Demo’s little brother is funny, “We make sandwich, I am meat.” … Sorry easily amused sometimes.
Kevin’s man, Mike Lange is pretty good.
ROLSTON!!!
What a pass!
SHOOOOOOORTY
nice shorty
Finally a shorty for us
Yaaayy!!!
I’m glad Rolston didn’t get a shortie last week.
Pretty goal. I like it.
Nick: yeah, moved to SW VA in Feb.
ROLSTON FOR MIKKO!!!! Yeah baby!!!
Avs up early…Leo with the goal
Lange is fabulous, NiNY.
Unfortunately, Fox Sports decided they didn’t feel like renewing his contract a couple seasons ago (I think I vented about this once before) so he doesn’t do TV anymore. He’s now on radio.
SW VA, like by TN?
NiNY, I’m with you on Terhaar. In fact, in that recent Wild survey I said pretty much the same thing about him…if he would just do play by play and leave the color to someone else, he may be tolerable.
oops should be FROM MIKKO, my fingers got over excited and fumbled the keys.
WHAT? Who does the TV PBP now? And is Errey still the color guy?
I’m not sure the grease can stay in if they lose tonight. Since everyone in the division has only division games left, then there is no way to prevent Cal/Col/Van from getting at least SOME points. I guess they could still pass one of those teams, but Edm would need max points and have to hope one of the others falls entirely flat.
Plus, they’re still a point behind Nashville.
I wouldn’t mind the Wild simulcasting Kurtz and Reid.
Why can’t we show up like this more often? I’m not saying every night because that is impossible, but why not the majority of the time? Good game so far for sure…
Sorry, southwest VA. Blacksburg, specifically.
knight: it is for that reason that I hope this DOESN’T turn into a rout. I don’t want the boys to think they’ve got the tiger by the tail and relax.
Great save/effort by Backs there.
Here is a great chance to step on the Oilers throat.
NiNY: Paul Steigerwald, Lange’s former partner, does TV PBP. he was fine as a color commentator but SUUUUUCKS - let me repeat that - he SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKS at play by play.
Yes, Errey is still the color guy on tv.
In case I haven’t mentioned, Steigerwald is really not good at PBP.
In fact I’d go so far as to say he sucks.
Lemur: yeah, that’s what I was trying to say earlier about the Oil. You said it much better.
Greg: can you do the thing where you ask for a goal right before they score one again in about five minutes? Thanks.
Your pal,
Nick in New York
good kool-aide tonight!
stupid phone auto-spell no like kool-aide!
Kevin: I was trying to figure out why I hadn’t realized that, and it occurs to me that the Pens are on Versus so often that I rarely get to see their FSN broadcasts.
how the heck did that not go in?
BTW: in game commentary from the Don.
Oooh burn. So clever!
I wish Versus broadcast all their games so we wouldn’t have to deal with the likes of Steigy. Ugh. He sucks.
Everyone’s favorite Finn, Jarkko Ruutu, constantly gets mistaken for Crosby because Ruutu wears 37 and Sid has 87. Steigy never knows what’s going on, makes all kinds of mistakes… he’s a doofus.
Avs and Nux tied at 1
Who told FSN that the camera angle behind the net is a good one? I hate it.
np Alex.
I had a quick look and Col/Van play once more after tonight, so the best Edm can hope for is a split, 2pts per team. That means at least 88 pts in a best case scenario for Edm (requiring either Col or Van to get 0 points in their other games).
Pretty steep odds if you ask me.
Not watching tonight, but nice to see the commentary here and glad the boys are turning the tables on the grease.
toivo: iPhone? Auto spell good when you have fat fingers, but not when trying to get a point across.
NiNY-I’ll wait until this Oilers PP is done. OK boys, now got get one.
Mistaking Ruutu for Sid? That’s criminal. Seriously, you’d think the league would have talked to him about that. Hire an extra spotter, hook him up to some electrodes and zap him every time he does it…
I just saw a note that said Dan Ellis, Nashville’s goalie, lost 13 pounds after beating Columbus on Tuesday, making 36 saves.
That’s scary for those of us depending on Ellis to win a fantasy championship…
I thought I was “everyone’s favorite Finn”. Are you saying people just love me for my sauna?
I hear ya NINY- we have no place getting a big head right now.
Exactly, Nick. We were really hoping for Sid to be healthy when Alex Goligoski, a D call-up from the AHL, was wearing 67. We couldn’t wait to hear how many times Steigy would confuse the three players. Sadly, Sid was never healthy during Alex’s brief stint.
Come on guys, I’m not liking the second half of this period. Lots of coasting.
doesn’t everyone in CA have a sauna or a hot tub - or both, toivo? I mean, where else would you smoke all that dope?
Maybe Ruutu is a close second then, toivo.
A very soild 40 me boys.
I meant solid..
anyone else glad to be out of that period? I thought we were hanging on a bit there…lots of posts, close calls for the Grease.
LOL…that’s a great typo, though, knight.
bgeek: indeed
greg: they must have learned the behind the net angle from fsn-ba ( sharks). Yeah, terrible.
2-1 Nux now
Niny: very hard to find true sow-na sauna. We smoke our dope everywhere: church, school, work…
Joking of course. Sort of.
over/under on SOG for the Wild in the third?
I say 7…and I’d take the under.
good wifi on this bus
bus? as in public transportation? That’s sweet.
CURSE YOU AND YOUR LOOSE EUROPEAN MORALS!
Kevin: How has Goligoski been in the minors this year? The Gophers really missed him this season. Vanelli & Johnson too.
Shep with the Hendrickson’s was the cutest ever.
You know, nothing nicer than coming home from a day at Winter Park/Mary Jane to see the boys up by 3 going into the 3rd. They must have got the memo about the game being at 7.
Well, all I can tell you about Goligoski’s season is his stats (8 goals, 21 assists, +13). Seems to be doing well, though we don’t get a lot of minor league reports and I don’t have any friends in that area.
For what it’s worth, I liked his play in the two or three games in the NHL he got into.
Who has lose morals?
Just caught up! Few notes. Rolston has been playing pretty well, taking lots of decent shots, getting the shorty. Gabby has been pretty good too, along with Koivu. Really there is no one out there that I can say is playing poorly, and that is a good thing. We have has a ton of puck luck tonight which is great as well, we usually don’t get that. Watching the Shep piece now.
nice Lemmi…how’s the base? Still solid or starting to melt?
The X is always so quiet. What does it take for Minnesotans to make some noise?
I assume that schedule they just showed was in chronological order.. if so, it seems a little unfair that Vancouver gets four straight home games and Calgary has four straight on the road to finish the season.
Kevin: while there’s no doubt playing on the road is harder than playing at home, you have to wonder if it might be NICE to get away from the distractions that a hockey-rabid town like Calgary is in this particular stretch drive…?
Austin, my theory as to why the X is so ‘quiet’ is that we are to busy actually watching the game to make noise.
Hm, I suppose I hadn’t thought about that. You might have a point.
darnitall…bad giveaway
Oh Oh. Lock and load.
Interesting take Bandgeek.
Hmmm… careful not to slip here boys. One is all they need, don’t give them any more.
I don’t care if it was a retaliation hit, if Boogey lays that hit on Greene, it’s a penalty.
And of course no call on the hit from behind on Boogie, just because he’s Boogie.
So, how is Sucka, I mean Skoula doing tonight?
did I say the over/under on Wild shots in the 3rd should be 7? Oh no…I meant to say 4.
HD: I haven’t really noticed him, and the one time I do remember him he made a solid breakout. So, fine, in other words.
Boogie’s had some good minutes tonight.
Tough penalty there. Keep the PK going stong!
Well crap, we wouldn’t want to kick the hell out of anyone now, would we?
actually, the most glaring defensive mistake I remember is Schultz’s giveaway in the second.
good kill…now…
FINISH THEM!
SWEEP THE LEG!
NO MERCY!!
With the Oilers needing a win, it’ll be interesting to see when they pull their goalie.
is that Finish or Finnish, Nick?
3-2 Avs now?
Is that a karate kid reference you just pulled out there NiNY?
do we want colo or van to win? or does it matter? i would guess colo because they have played more games than van? is that right?
Ahhh sheet bandgeek, you got jacked Nick.
Kidding….
I wonder if MacT will pull him now.
Sooner or later, it always comes back to the Karate Kid, Austin!
Hmmmm.. .they really are tying to let the Oil back into this one. Come on guys!
I think Skoula has had a solid game so far. He practically killed one penalty by himself earlier with clears. Most importantly, Hill hasn’t hung him out to dry…yet.
Thats a bad bad Fridge, no snacky smores for you.
3-2 Avs 10 left in the 2nd.
Mr. Miyagi would be proud Nick.
nice kill, two big ones here in the last 10 min
Looks like JL is keeping Hill close by late in the game. Good call. He and Carney can keep each other company.
Do you all get the playoff games on Center Ice also?
The BJ’s blew out the Hawks 4-0. …. Now that I look at that again, man am I a sick sick monkey.
ATX–I am thinking the same thing. Why is X so DAMN QUIET??? I blame it on the Edina suburb type of crowd.
Groovy
2 pts eh?
HUGE win…math aside, I think that might have been a fatal blow to the Grease.
Yay! Win in regulation! Pretty good game by the Wild there.
Woo.
2 points baby!!!! And thy just showed some chick in the crowd in a Voros jersey.
5-2 Avs.
5-2 Avs with 7 mins left in the 2nd.
Hey Wes, I was told only the first two rounds are on CI, then the conference finals and the SC are on ABC or VS or whatever.
Nice win me boys. And… Avs up now 5-2 on Knuckelheads… We take over 1st in NW and back to 3rd seed in West (for now).
OK, this ones over, now we need to take care of business vs. VAN on Friday. They’ll be playing their 3rd game in 4 nights, so we need to come out flying against them.
It’s going to be a game of leap frog for the NW division title… last one to jump wins.
I’d say the Wild were pretty fortunate…with all the pipes Edm hit. Two periods of a prevent defense wasn’t exactly thrilling….but a win is a win.
Thats going to be a tilt on Fri. Wish I could go.
Marty S, we definitely got some great puck luck there. But it’s about time we got some! Those bounces were not going our way earlier this year. Big games coming up, lets finish strong! Good night all!
I think you make your luck, and tonight I’m comfortable saying the Wild did enough things well to earn those posts.
Good to see Backstrom bounce back so quickly.
Everything’s all happy around here now. None of that doom and gloom of the past two days…
Even I won’t whine about this one. I thought it was a solid game, more or less.
We were definitely due for some bounces our way. Now Edm can go home singing the Wild theme song “we had our chances but just couldn’t ___”
so, if Luongo played tonight, that must mean his wife is still not in labor. Doesn’t that increase the odds that she goes into labor between now and 7pm CT on Friday?
Please note, that I am a little uncomfortable making this statement. I hope his wife and their baby are fine, and continue to be for a long time.
That being said, there’s no doubt he’s a better goalie than Sanford…
Kimmy and Koivu are playing their a$$es off. I am so happy Kimmy has adjusted and is avoiding all of the hooking and holding penalties he took last year.
He played tonight, and got lit up and pulled, much to my delight.
In answer to your question, Nick, I would think yes.
Solid ( or soild however you wish) play by the Boys in Iron Range Red. Sweet dreams and happy thoughts tonight. I’m turning in, I have an early meeting. Night everybody.
wow…Ryan Smyth and Ryan Burrows in an abbreviated fight at the end of the second…that’s a win for Vancouver.
tsn is so arrogant…James Duthie just intro’d the intermission show of the Nux/Avs game by saying “we’ll take you to Minnesota, where offensive teams and playoff dreams come to die…”
F U Duthie, you hack.
5-3 Avs after two, by the way…I’m off for bed.
Half day in the office, then back on the road through Sunday for me.
G’night Russoville!
so we basically need to beat clgy and van and hope they spit and we should win the division
NiNY, I didn’t hear him make the statement, which can make the difference, but I kinda take his statement as a compliment. I.e., you’re an offensive team (the Oil) that needs to win to stay alive, you don’t want to play at Min.
Real quick, ok so who wouldn’t love to see on one of these dumb ‘replay’s’ by Darby and Gorg a Boogie fight, and just have Darby lay out Gorg by accident. This time I really am going to bed.
Have a good trip NIck.
that’s fair, Hockeydad…TSN definitely promotes the “Wild and Lemaire are nothing but trap hounds and that’s bad for hockey” mentality IMO. So I took it as an extension of that. Maybe that was NOT fair of me.
thanks band…try to keep the trolls under control while I’m gone, eh?
well, tone can make all the difference, too. Just didn’t seem so bad to me reading it.
I’m glad “consistent” Wild showed up tonight…the boys looked pretty good, bad Marty took the day off and team effort looked to be there
Yum Yum Yum
This crow I’m eating sure tastes good.
So the WILD didn’t lose 10-0 and Stortini didn’t get a hat trick. I can live with that!
Nice game Mikko.
Anyone notice that Sheppard is getting fewer and fewer TOI the last few weeks?
Good observation, Dampland - only 8:00 tonight for Shep
Back to 4 lines, not 3. Less time for Shep, though I could be convinced there’s more to it than that.
First thing first, maybe this is no surprise but to you fans, but Joe Sensers has Fat Tire, more there than I needed.
I think the game at Edmonton will be the watershed game for the Wild.
That game may turn out to be the most important game of the season for the Wild and a very important loss because the Wild can rally from that point.
If any player ever doubted JL, or got too comfortable, they will certainly be on board with JL probably from now on. If not, it will be a quick ending.
Mikko played terrific tonight, (back to form). Backstorm was solid. I think Gabby is playing a complete team game right now and the best hockey of his career because of it.
It is important he is on board because the Wild cannot win unless they all pay attention to D first. A great set up to Radio from him.
mcguire just said that burrows has become the most hated player in hockey but you would have him on your team in a 2nd. not sure it would be worth it
You know, it’s not always easy to read him, but in the post-game presser, JL said only that Koivu played “OK … he was fine tonight.” Would love the Don’s take on that, because he had a smile afterward, but I had the impression he maybe wasn’t so happy with Koivu’s game overall.
Anyone else see/hear that?
My impressions:
1. Skoula must have been knocked upside the head or something. If he had played anything like that in Deadmonton Monday night, we might have had a fighting chance.
2. Hill played probably one of the best games since he’s been here. Carney and Burns also got off the proverbial pot and got with it also tonight. Backstrom was ‘Sen-Sational!’ (to paraphrase Versus’ Joe Beninati) especially in the third where he had some luck and a whole lot of pipe.
3. Nice to see a top six forward PLAY like a top six forward (Koivu) and another get a shortie (Rolston). These guys have to step up if the Wild are to do anything in the playoffs.
Many thanks to the Colorado Avalanche for their assistance in making April a month devoted to golf in Vancouver… 
…and for FSN Orth’s Marney Gellner: Marney, we didn’t know you had it in you, girl. 9.5 Lbs.? This child will need Nutri-System by the time he’s age 3…
Sweet dreams, Russoville. Your Wild have won again.
Nice snack upstairs…
Yep. Heard it on the way home. JL said that with a smile you could hear it. My impression was that he was being sarcastic. Like when the reporter asked the question, that was JL’s way of saying,”Duh, do you think…” I think JL is very happy with Mikko’s game right now.
Did you hear what he had to say about Hill scoring? The reporter said something about how Hill used to be pretty good at scoring from the blue line was JL starting to see that and JL said,”I still need him to play good defense.”
Good game. Not great, but good. They must have put an extra coat of paint on that one net. Lots of pings off of it.
Hockeydad, JL always does that when someone has a really good game. He is trying not to jynx him. If you notice the expression on his face is a big smile while saying it. He did it when Burns was on fire also.
Congrats, Marney!! 9.5 lbs. Holy Cats!
My biggest was 8.3 and that was no picnic. And she had a boy. Do we have a name?
Just got back from the X. Nice game all around. Only glaring mistake on D was Schultz giveaway in the second but we escaped. PK was simply terrific. We had some nice chances that we didn’t convert but we played a very solid game. Polish up the golf clubs Stortini. I couldn’t see Fedoruk’s penalty well. It looked someone had grabbed his stick but who knows. Fairly hoarse from yelling but it sure was fun.
ss6-funny take there,albeit JL’s not letting anyone get a fat head
Oh and JD I beg to differ. He started with the name calling first……
Well that’s for sure blakedigger but I still think JL is happy with Mikko game.
Gotta go to bed…12 hour day tomorrow. Talk to ya tomorrow.
Heh, almost missed my stop!
Russo’s right, where would the Wild be without Rolston? All you BR bashers, get a grip! Sure, he does a little grabbing, a little holding maybe, but brings a world class shot and soon another 30 goals. Shows up every night, and frankly should have the C. Class act all around. Signing Rolston should be the off season priority.
Where would we be without Rolston? Oh, same spot, I figure. Look, despite his points production, he’s still a minus-4, which isn’t quite “Radio-ish”, but it’s not what I’d expect from a top-4 forward. Shoulda swapped him for Prospal at the deadline.
I guess I can’t beat up on Skoula tonight, since the Dr. Jekyl side showed up tonight, in contrast with the Hyde portion that completed more passes to Grease than Wild in the last game.
When was the last time they had an off-ice workout? Just curious. What was the effect afterwards, because I can’t recall one in months.
So, Hill is out playing the PP and gets a nice “Backdoor Burnsie”. How’s that for boosting the guys confidence?
Radio seems to have picked up a personal GPS, since he’s managed to actually find the net lately after missing so many point blank, wide open shots lately.
Gaborik was effective, and not just from a goal-scoring standpoint. Nice play to get past the D to set up Radio, and he did some nice puck control work on the PP as well.
Now to get Demitra’s leg back in shape and get him finding the net. He may not like playing center, but he’s getting tons of ice time, and he’s not too bad at it. Granted, I think he’s be far better offensively at wing, but does it make sense to put him there with a center that might be a defensive liability with Demo deep in the zone?
Ok, that’s my food for thought. See you all Friday at the X. I’ll be the one with the beer.
It was quite the different team from Monday that is for sure.
I thought Radioactivich had a very good game. Gaborik too. That goal looked more like Demitra passing to Gaborik for the finish.
Carney still looked a step or two slow but it didn’t cost the Wild.
Perhaps Hill was right when he said he needed more ice time to be effective.
Schultz…nice Skouba impression on the crossing pass.
Good Marty was at the X for a night.
Stortini looked good on his knees.
Jeez…to think before the deadline I wanted to ‘Dump Rolston’. Oh, what’s that you say? He has IMPROVED HIS PLAY in the past 3.5 weeks? Ah…must have been what I was expecting from him.
The Wild should build on this with another good effort on Friday. The Nuks will be desperate too. Speaking of desperate…have some post game fun in Burnsville…
Wild clinch a playoff spot tomorrow night with a win and a Nashville loss in regulation at BJs, which starts an hour earlier than the Wild so the team will know prior to the third period if it has a chance to clinch a spot. Maybe have reason to cue up the video screen on the giant scoreboard tomorrow night about 9:30. Wild in-game producers do love their video clips.
Thanks, DB. Good stuff. I’m sure that game will be on in the concourse as well.
All we have to do is beat Van, and we bury the jerks. I would love to see those clowns out of the post season.
The most disappoitning thing about last nights game was stortini falling down. Boogie was teed up to cave in his head. THAT would have been worth the ticket!
Don’t know if there has been much banter about it or not, but the fact that Jonathan Roy only got 7 games for his actions in that brawl in the Quebec League is a joke. Good to see the dolts who are handing out suspensions in that league are cut from the same cloth as the dolts who hand out the suspensions in the NHL.
ss6, they said Marney’s kid waws named “Grady” which is funny because a work fried of my wife’s calls his greyhound grady.
grady? not much better than greenstar
the key to DB’s dismantling of stortini was his mid-fight switch to southpaw. Fighters now can hold their opponent’s jersey in a way to hinder the ability to throw punches. instead of flailing in futility when this happened to DB, he switched his grip from left hand the right hand and it openend poor zach right up for the kill shot.
When they showed the picture and stats of Mini-Marney, my wife was like “No wonder she was so huge!”
I am still wondering why B-B-B-Benny was scratched. Does he have a better popcorn recipe than AV?
Obviously JL likes Demitra at C better than he likes Benny. And I don’t know why. I saw a lot of Benny in the defensive zone - skating behind the goal line. Baffling. I hope the Don remembers to ask why.
We might get more scoring in the lineup that way - but I think JL was thinking defense first last night.
DB: A police investigation has been opened to determine if criminal charges will be filed.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=232892&hubname=nhl
Nadeau did not want to fight, nor did he retaliate. Roy is a backup, so I don’t see how that wasn’t premeditated, considering the elder Roy gestured to Jonathan to attack. No surprise, it was a 7-1 game.
I missed it, so does anyone know if the DB-Stortini fight is on the Internet yet? Doesn’t seem to be on hockeyfights.com yet
The dilemma with Rolston, at least for me, is not whether or not you want him back - I do. But it’s the price it will take to get him back. The team definitely got the better end of the deal with him on his current contract, but do the Wild pay $4 or $5million per to re-sign him? If they can get him for around his current price, then by all means
re: Rolston. At what age does a player’s contract count against the cap even if injured? Anyone expect long-term offers for Rolston by other teams?
bfw…35 years old.
Rolston will attract a lot of interest.
A 30 goal scorer for 3-4 mil?
His offers this summer are not going to be int he 3-4 mil range, however. If the Wild wants to keep Rolston, it more than likely will be 4.5-5 mill per season.
kj,
Of that, I have no doubt. Assuming there is a lot interest, it would seem that he’d be more inclined to take the longest deal, all things considered (from a strict $$$ standpoint.)
Having said that, to HD’s point, how long would you be willing to sign him, given that retirement/injury stipulation for over 35yrs?
boogaard stortini fight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKiQTybYGrI
alright boys. we did well, and since we did not lose I will make a new lineup for the game against Vancouver sometime tommorow. You guys did well, Hockeydad your the Mark Parrish of the group..your going to need to impress us to get back into the lineup 
So, since Boogie has done much better in his fights lately it really makes you wonder if the problem before he was out for so long was more his back then the new jerseys. Good game last night. We played well and put some nice effort into the game. We made the comment at our house that the Schultz turnover looked more like a Skoula one and was very untypical of Schultz. I am really glad to see a regulation win for the Wild. Backstrom and the pipes had a good game. Not much else to add that hasn’t already been said.
I really expected more out of that fight. Sortini did a good job of protecting himself for the most part. There was only one real good punch, but it was a dandy from the look of it. That camera angle sucks so it’s hard to really see it.
Rolston is in pretty good shape, I’d probably offer 3 years, 6-3-3. Front-load most of the money , but average it out at 4 mil a year.
VoR: I gotta believe Rolston is going to get 3 years and much better money offers from other teams. Hopefully the Wild can make a little bit of noise in the playoffs, which may entice him to stay here for a little less cash than what may be available elsewhere. I think the Wild will have to go at least three years, however.
Given his age, though, I wonder how many teams would hitch their wagon to a guy who could get hurt or retire at any point leaving them on the hook with a large cap hit.
Now then, there was a question as to the status of Voros and Foy. I did some digging and came up with this:
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS - GROUP 6
These players, whose contracts have expired, are age 25 or older, have completed three or more professional seasons, and (i) in the case of a player other than a goaltender, have played less than 80 NHL games (regular-season and playoff), or (ii) in the case of a goaltender, have played less than 28 NHL games (regular-season and playoff).
Voros is 26, Foy will be 25 on May 18
Voros has played 53 NHL games in 5 pro seasons. Foy is at 56 games in 6 pro seasons, so I’d guess they’ll both ebe gone as Group VI UFAs.
Can anyone help me understand why it seems the wild is thrown from the face-off circle so often? Seems our guy is thrown lots more than the opp. team’s player. I thought I saw Koivu get thrown last night and he was perfectly still with his stick on the ice…what gives?
Mike, I noticed that too. It looked like the other guy jumps first and Koivu reacts and Koivu gets booted. He was not happy about it last night. I dunno why that is… I think it goes back to the Refs hating the wild .
mike,
a player can be thrown from the faceoff for many reasons, sometimes through no fault of his own. For example, the ref could throw out the center for something the winger did.
Vor,
I agree. The Wild most likely won’t “pony up” long term. I do think they’d be willing to give him a substantial raise, if for only a year or two.
Thanks Build…I did not know that the C can be thrown for the perceived “bad” behavior of his team-mates.
ATX: you’re right - Koivu looked PO’d about it!
Austin, nice call on the score yesterday! Can I call you friggin’ Nostrodamus?
El Gato, maybe I should open a fortune telling business eh? Oh, or perhaps I should use my ability to win the lottery!
Koivu is the NHL’s “Bad Boy of the Faceoff Dot.” Someone else pointed out last week that if there’s a stat for getting toseed from the faceoff circle, Koivu would probably lead the league.
But yeah, lots of things can get you booted, including illegal line changes, because losing a faceoff can affect a team as a whole on the ensuing play.
Imagine if the faceoff is in the Wild end. A Wild faceoff win can clear the puck and lead to a rush the other way. If the other team wins it, they control the play.
“Imagine if the faceoff is in the Wild end. A Wild faceoff win can clear the puck and lead to a rush the other way. If the other team wins it, they control the play.”
That is a complete John Madden statement.
Get bent
VoR, I was just pointing out that your statement was teh equivilent of “Interceptions are a bad, because then the other team has possision of the ball.” which I am sure John Madden has utterd a few times in his broadcasting carreer. I am not saying you are John Madden-esque, but your statement was a bit. I am really going too much into this… I really am bored.. and this is a slow day on the blog.
ATX - I know you’re just pointing out the stupidity of the statement. If you weren’t in Texas I’d buy you a beer at the next game to bury the hatchet.
and this is a slow day on the blog
Mike/Michael R./(Tean Name)Fan/fake GreenStar/etc. why have you forsaken us? Oh yeah, 3-1 Wild last night.
I am wearing my Leinenkugel’s Red shirt today VoR. I can’t get any of that here in TX. They have HoneyWeiss, which is good, but only others they have are the crappy ones (BerryWeiss and SummerShandy). I have also had a craving lately for some Yuengling (Kevin you know what’s up). Mmmmmm… Beer.
I think everyone is too busy drinking their kool-aid to comment today.
any theories as to why b-b-b-benny was scratched?
Crap, if I’m the equivalent of Parrish, the only way I’m going to see any ice time is if I spread some flu germs around.
build from within - I think JL wanted full commitment to the defensive system from the Cs last night and Benny doesn’t have the expereince to deliver that yet. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him back for the VAN game.
bfws, my theory is simply that JL wanted at center the 4 guys he trusts from most right now from a defensive responsibility standpoint. That meant Demo back to C, I’m guessing, leaving BP as the odd man out.
Now, the problem with my theory? JL could have played Benny as a wing and left AV to make the popcorn.
Wild suck, all their fans are stupid and ugly and anyone named Adam is really dumb.
— Mike
I think Benny Poohbah is a considerable Defensive liability, and that is why JL had him making popcorn last night.
See, now I was going to post a while ago in response to Adam’s 10:56 that, after yesterday’s revelations, how do we know that Adam isn’t another side of Mike? - the reasonable, thoughful contributor to Russoville.
Mike is disguise again!? It can’t be true. It definitely is not Mike, he didn’t say “Mild”.
If you want to impersonate Mike, you have to hit 4 main points: Lemmings, Risedump, Mild, Kool-aid.
VoR - that’s original Mike. There’s so much more to him than that.
Hey you freaking Lemmings! When will you quit drinking so much kool-aid and realize that Risedump and the Mild are nothing but a bunch of worthless chumps!? The team is going down the drain faster than greased lightning. I swear if I see any of you in person I will punch you in the balls untill you submit to my ways. Send Risedump to Toronto and trade our team straight up for Tampa Bay. Stupid Lemmings.
Go nucks!
Go Fowl!
Go Flamers!
Chris Pronger for president
Matt Cooke is my dad!
Wow, we really are a bored bunch today. This is amusing though.
Rolston on nhl.com or XM 204 or NHL Network now
Hey Austin,
I see the Aeros moved up to 3rd place in their division!
Weren’t they in last place in early January?
Great to see them play well without Voros, Kelly & Benny
Dampland, from what I understand the Aeros were in pretty bad shap early this year, but they really turned it around. I don’t really know much though because I don’t get to see them play. They don’t play games around here for some stupid reason.
how do we know that Adam isn’t another side of Mike?
That would make me a genius or the Russoville equivalent to “Lisa, Bright and Dark” or maybe even both!
Sorry about that Austin,
I always confuse you and Aaron in Houston ….
Must be from all of the crow sandwiches I’ve been eating lately.
If McGeough blows his whistle, there most likely will be a stoppage of play. Or, the whistle will then pay McGeough five dollars
Yuengling’s good, Austin. There’s a reason to like you.
“Yuengling’s good, Austin. There’s a reason to like you.”
You make it sound like there were no other reasons to like me!
It’s cool Dampland, all that crow will do funny things to your brain. I wish they played the Aeros games locally, but it’s TX… they don’t even know what hockey is.
Doesn’t Texas own a Stanley Cup?
Oh, I didn’t mean to imply that, Austin, really… there’s a bunch of other reasons, such as, uh, er…
DB, that is besides the point. I live in Austin. We have the Austin Ice Bats here… but appearntly they are being ousted for a new AHL team that is affiliatd with the Stars. The only upside to this is that I will actually get to see the Aeros when they play against the Dallas squad. Plus, that lets me root against Dallas… something that I love to do in all sports. Dallas blows.
Ouch Kevin. Ouch.
I would love it if Minnesota owned a Stanley Cup.
DB, technically that SC does belong to MN. Norm Green stole it from your grasps. I hate all things Dallas.
Geeze, I’m kinda glad I had to do actual work at work this morning. Were you actually talking about what you were wearing Austin?
Pool boy sat last night because he needs to work on his defense (being young thats ok) and we don’t want to over work the new guy. Just my take however.
Bandgeek, that was more in reference to the beer than the clothes. It’s been a slow morning.
I noticed.
Sid returns to play with Hossa tonight, at home, and I’ve got to cover at work for someone out with the flu. So angry right now. Grargh.
Kevin, is tonight the first night that Malkin, Crosby and Hossa will all be playing?
Poor Kevin, don’t these people know you have hockey to watch?
Yes to Austin, no to Bandgeek.
I want a new job now, one that doesn’t work nights.
Kevin: Try selling Amway door-2-door. You can set your own hours and be your own boss.
Hmmm an intriguing option, DB. I shall consider it.
Kevin - I’m with you, except, I want a new job now, one that doesn’t require work.
BNAG, that job is called winning the lottery. I think I will apply for that job sometime this week. The problem is, it’s a tough job to get. I hear your chancs of landing it are greater if you apply every single week.
Well, of course that’s my first option, BNAG, but I’m too young to be President. 
That should’ve been first choice, not first option.
can one of you web people setup a website for donations for bob kurtz? walters says he might do some play by play for the thunder this year. didn’t know times were that tough…
walters also says delta burke likes the wild’s chances. i’d be more surprised if delta said “wild suck arse. good luck not getting swept in the 1st round.”
and that slover TP calls the xcel center the place that offense goes to die, bemoaning that the oilers couldn’t continue its 80s style play. i guess he is entitled to his opinion.
there is your update from the east side of the river
Nope ATX, it’s called Sugarmamma….
BTW - The Wild did send a puck fluttering toward the Grease goal with about :36 left, only SRV was in the dumper with the drizzlers.
Did anyone watch the Calgary game online on Monday?
Between periods they ran some cool segments, but one of them was “Calgary Hits of the year”
It was a bunch of body checks were a Flames player crushed an opponent. However, it was amazing that of the 10 or so clips of hits made by Phangoof, ALL but one were blatant CHECKING FROM BEHIND.
They seem to think that his dangerous, potentially career ending illegal hits are something to be cheered.
Stupid Flamers.
But the other segments I did like. “Goals of the year”, a segment on the AHL team, etc.
**coughcough Wild TV folks**
G* - congrats, Marney’s baby looks just like ‘ya
LUNCH!!!!!! Yeah!!!
Green* - NiNY mentioned late last night that the TSN dude referred to the X that way. I actually take a comment like that as a compliment to the Wild.
Dampland, They (the Wild) could only fill a 15 second segment with hits of the year.
**apologise for spelling no spell checky again today**
I’m not old enough to be president either Kevin. So I guess it’s the lottery for me also, if you weren’t all the way in PA I’d say lets go havsies on a few power ball so we have a better chance.
I saw a thing on the E channel about gold digger wives of pro athleates. Is it just me or do hockey wives/girlfriends tend to be more down to Earth? Is it because hockey players tend to be more down to Earth and therefore less likely to go for the high matinence women?
congrats, Marney’s baby looks just like ‘ya
that might mean i got a little something and that would be SWEET. alas, it isn’t true.
so TP is pulling his info from TSN? explains a lot.
A splendid idea, Band, alas…
Lunch from the Don…
Breakfast, shmreakfast. Look at the score, for Christ’s sake. It’s only the second period and I’m up 12 to 2. Breakfasts come and go, Rene, but Hartford, “the Whale,” they only beat Vancouver once, maybe twice in a lifetime.
