Game 1: Colorado 3, Wild 2 (OT)
Posted on April 10th, 2008 – 12:31 AMBy Michael Russo
The puck just finds Joe Sakic in overtime.
Capt. Sakic scored his eighth career OT playoff winner tonight, the most all-time. Put that in perspective, the entire Wild roster has two — Pavol Demitra and Eric Belanger.
Sakic has 83 playoff goals, seventh all-time to move past Mike Bossy. He has 180 playoff points, tying Ray Bourque for 10th all-time. He’s got 19 game-winning goals, moving ahead of Maurice “Rocket” Richard for fourth all-time.
Fyi, I think we’re very close to an official ownership change, but onto the game and specifically the winner, Jacques blamed rookie James Sheppard for leaving the front of the net when the defenseman, Petteri Nummelin, moved up, but after watching the replay, it looked like a lot of guys were all over the place.
And, the reality is, the puck hit a skate, and deflected right to one of the most clutch playoff performers ever.
The played a strong game, outshooting the Avs 11-2 in the first and 20-7 through two. But it found itself trailing 2-zip after two.
The Wild rallied on goals by Mikko Koivu and Todd Fedoruk, but then the Avs pressured and pressured and pressured the rest of the third period. The only thing that got this game to overtime was good luck, and Niklas Backstrom’s save on a penalty shot on Ryan Smyth.
In overtime, Jose Theodore also saved the game with a tremendous save on a Brent Burns shot. It was a 2-on-2 with Stephane Veilleux that Burns basically turned into a last-second breakaway.
– Fedoruk notched his first career playoff point in 20 contests with his goal.
– Wild is 2-4 in playoff overtimes, 1-3 at home. They’re 3-8 at home all-time.
– The Smyth penalty shot was the first ever against the Wild in postseason play. he was 3 for 4 in shootouts this year. As I think you know, Nik Backstrom wasn’t good in shootouts, but he stoned him to help the game get to OT.
As for a Mark Parrish update, he sustained a head injury in the second period when he was checked into the Wild bench by Ruslan Salei, the same Salei that once plastered Mike Modano’s mug into the boards in Dallas. He got 10 games for this. He won’t get anything for this. He checked Parrish, and he flew awkwardly head first into the bench.
He was taken to a local hospital, passed tests, went home and will be re-evaluated Thursday.
Can’t give you a ton of color from inside the room. Most players scampered to the back of the joint, and because of how late the game went, I was only in there for a few minutes.
And Jacques’ press conference lasted only a few minutes because of again, tight deadlines and the fact only two people ever ask questions.
Here’s some quotes from inside Colorado’s room courtesy of Judd Zulgad:
RYAN SMYTH
(Get a win?) “Obviously our goal is to come in here and try to get a split or both but we got the one so far and we’ll just go from there.”
(Jose’s play?) “He’s clutch down the stretch and he’s playing unreal right now for us. goaltending is huge in the playoffs. He stepped up, it’s great to see and we want to rally around him for sure. The way we rallied tonight as far as scoring that overtime winner helps him and boosts everybody’s confidence. But we’re in for a challenge.”
JOSE THEODORE
(Your play early) “We knew that they were going to come out really hard. I thought in the first they showed us how good of a team they are. We were able to get away with a [0-0] tie. After that I thought we started to pick it up and score some huge goals in the second. Then they came back. They have a lot of character, you’ve got to be aware of that. We didn’t panic, which is good, and Joe came with a huge play.”
(Burns save?) “Obviously in overtime every save is big. He came in tight and I was able to kind of read the play a little bit. I was able to keep my focus and just be able to stop it.”
(You were in it?) “It felt good. As a goalie you’re aware, especially on the road, like I say, the first period the home team comes out flying and that’s what they did tonight. As a goalie you want to make those big saves to show your teammates that you’re going to be ready to help them out.”
(Key was the first period for you?) “I think it’s always fun to be able to go in the room after the first period, being tied, especially on the road. Then after that I thought we adjusted well. We have to respect their team. I thought tonight they played a good [game] and they are really a skilled, fast team, so we’re going to have to be ready for next one.”
(Confidence you’re playing with right now?) “I’m just playing with the same confidence I’ve been playing with the last couple of months. Obviously in playoffs it’s more important but then again you don’t want to change any approach. You don’t want to change things. We’ve been having some success as a team the last.
183 Responses to "Game 1: Colorado 3, Wild 2 (OT)"
Just got back from the game, here’s my thoughts… 1st Props to the Avs, they played a great game. 2nd The Wild f’ing took the 2nd period off again!! And I’m not saying that because of the scoring, the whole team was AWOL.It would be better for them to not have the 1st intermission. If the WIld play like they did in the 1st and 3rd, we’ll wrap this series up quickly, but if we play like we did in the 2nd, we’re done.
3rd, WTF was up with Gaborik and Demitra? They were so lazy it was unreal, I hope its not appendicitis. No hussle to the puck, no cycling.
4th, Why didn’t anyone crash the net or get in front of it?
5th, I thought the “hit” on parrish was clean, I had a perfect angle on it, the guy just fell weird..I hope he’s ok, they never say anything when you’re at the game.
The fact that we lost the opener has, in my best Han Solo voice given me “a bad feelibg about this.” I hope it’s just indigestion. Walzie doing the LPH cheer was powerful, too bad it didn’t translate to a win.
The puck just finds Joe Sakic in overtime.
A little inattentiveness from Martin Skoula never hurst, either…
I don’t blame Skoula for the sakic goal. However, he was in a better position to prevent it than anyone else in a Wild sweater. And, he didn’t.
This is going to be a L-O-N-G series, folks. Enjoy it. G’night, Russoville…
hey, my tags worked! sweet! and make that feeling, not feelibg
I just got home…damn that was depressing.
NiNY…you were missed but many a toast was raised in your honor. Green*, Dickie Dunn, El Gato and Dave (fDiM) and the non-blogger Mrs kj.
We yucked it up a bit, wished Deep would have been there in his ass-less chaps.
The game was pretty intense (thanks for the scratches as always WRT). Although, I really think tonight was a ‘must win’ for the Wild and they came up short.
Look for Voros to take Parrish’s place and Simon to check in for Boogaard on Friday.
The D weakness was very apparent from our Wild. We spent way too much time in our own zone. Gotta play some firewagon hockey!
Although, truth be told…Theodore was very, very good. Hey…at least we got a point…right??? 
Just home as well, and while it hurts, I feel like we are going to outplay these guys over the next 10 days and win this series.
Remember that it’s a series, not a game, and I really think we’re going to be fine.
And any shots at Skoula are unfounded. He played his tail off tonight, had several big plays in the 3rd and OT, and logged a ton of ice time. You don’t have to love him, but give him credit when it’s due.
2nd period off? maybe i missed something. the aves didn’t get any sustained pressure really until the 3rd. and not until after it was tied.
game would have been much different if jose hadn’t been so strong in the 1st. the wild get a goal or two there…jose got them thru the 1st tied and that was big for colorado.
couldn’t see the parrish hit. when we are standing down in the lower bowl, the near side boards gets cutoff.
i understand it is the playoffs but nummi sure appeard to get tripped. very hard to let that one go.
Phil: On your second point, to be fair, the Avs have more goals in the second period than any team in the league. All the more reason for us to really step it up in that period, though.
I did not see Demo and Gabby being lazy. They made a few runs and looked pretty good considering that Colorado did a great job of tying up Gabs.
The Parrish hit was questionable. He was pushed into the boards in a vulnerable position, but I don’t think it was dirty.
D&D were all over the Nummi trip. Even Hejduk was expecting a call on that one.
On the whole, the game wasn’t bad, and the boys showed they know how to come back, which is something they’ve not been strong on.
Game was exciting as hell! What a phenomenal (sp?) PS save by Backs w/the game on the line. Too bad it was for naught.
I hate to start in on this, but: What exactly is PMB bringing to the playoff table? I’d like to “break down film” to see how many times late in the game he either:
1) Escape turned towards the boards at the top of the circle, peeling towards the blueline.
2) Failed to challenge a defender 1 v 1 and take the puck into the slot.
3) Passed up opportunities to get the puck to the net for tips or rebounds, while looking to “make a play.”
4) Stopped moving his feet along the wall at the hash marks in the O zone, making him easier to defend, and cough up the puck. (Even 4th liners know that they MUST get the puck deep if they are in danger of turning the puck over.
I would have to say his performance last night was not any better than last years SCP performance v. the Dorks. Sorry.
PS–And I LOVE the guy (in the regular season.)
hate to start in on this, but: What exactly is PMB bringing to the playoff table?
really? didn’t seem like you hated it that much.
PMB wasn’t the worst player on the ice last night.
The intensity was awesome last night.
Once again the opposition goaltender stood on his head against the Wild.
As most said, this series is far from over. They will rebound on Friday night.
It looked like Parrish’s head went off the dasher as he went down akwardly. Wishing him the best. They hit was a little late and away from the play, but both teams got away with a ton last night.
Before the Wild first goal, Rolston was manhandled in the Colorado zone. He skated back to the Wild zone and tagged the defenseman in the back of the head as he skated by him. The ref let it go and the first goal ensued.
This is going to be a tough series. The Wild may have lost the 1st game, but will win this series.
I think the whole team played pretty damn well. They definitely deserved to win that game. The cards didn’t fall in teh right way. For all of you looking to blame someone, there is no one to blame! The puck that got to JoeBlowsCocks bounced of Skoobas skate and he ended up facing the wrong way and couldn’t correct it quick enough. Gabby and demo were not lazy either. I saw Gabby skating hard and forchecking a little as well. Not to mention the fact that he was beat up on most of the night. The only reason we lost this game is because stupid Theodore played an excellent first period. It should have been 3 to 0 at the end of the first. They guys did what they could, and they played really hard. If they keep this up there is no reason they should not come out on top.
Wow, ATX. JoeBlowsCocks? You don’t care much for Sakic, do you? Did he run over your dog or something?
good take ATX
PMB was 2nd on the team with 4 shots last night. probably would have had 10 if he didn’t “disappear”
Dave - Is it not enough that he plays for the lanche? It’s the SCP’s and until they shake hands after the last game of this series any nick name of the oppositions is good with me. 
G*,
Agreed, not the worst on the ice. Didn’t say or infer that.
ATW,
No doubt, well played overall. Certainly outplayed the Av’s for stretches, although with the number posts they hit, it could have been worse. Also agree with the play of Gabby and Demo. Creating scoring opportunites (*ahem*). And of course Theodore was hot. Game 2 should be intense.
Anybody else get a look at the hit on Parrish live?
I was at times annoyed (Sp?) with PMB’s play last night as well. Especially late there was a couple of times that he should have taken the puck to the net instead of looking for that pretty pass. Overall I do think he played his best SCP game, though.
Last night’s loss was tough to take but the boys have fought through adversity this season. Let’s just hope they can shake this off quickly.
Both teams played well but niether played a perfect game. It definitely could have gone either way, and the Avs got the bounce they needed to win last night.
I wish we could have gotten a couple good whacks at the rebounds. It seems like the Avs did a better job at getting to those in our end.
If we concentrate on getting more traffic in front of Theodore we’ll start getting shots past him.
We’ve shaken off the Game 1 jitters. It’s time to take care of business!!
You’re right, BDS. It just seemed particularly harsh. Sakic’s not a goon or anything.
Didn’t say or infer that.
really? hmm not sure how i got that impression after reading the 4 points made describing how horseshat PMB is in the playoffs.
BDS I agree with what you are saying about PMB. I thought he came out with a ton of confidence, especially on his first shift. As long as he remembers to keep that confidence high, and he drives to the net occassionally, he will be a great help.
I have always hated the Avs. Joe blow and Floppa the Diver can eat dik for all I care. As an x-Wings fan I have more extra hatred for them.
On a side note, I say a few people waling around the Pepsi Center with Red Wings jerseys on during the Wild game last weekend. That seemed a bit weird to me.
Anybody else get a look at the hit on Parrish live?
You mean in person or as it happened?
It was behind the play, so you couldn’t see it on TV, only on replay, and only half of it at that.
ATX - best nicknames I’ve heard are Sac-itch and Foreskin
VoR, those are pretty good! I like it.
Gaborick will quit gripping his stick too tight the next game. Good old Wally feels that Calgary was a better match up, but we should still win. The Wild I think have a better team
Sorry, ATX. I’m not knocking it. I didn’t know your history with the Avs.
I Liked everything last night except the score.
Remember, this has seven rounds, it is not like a heavyweight fight where it can be ended early. No need for dispair this morning.
I like our chances, we played strong and dominant for long stretches.
Nothing wrong with Skoula. Nummi was a factor.
No way did the Wild take the 2d period off.
The Ave’s did fight back at times and controlled play and pressured late in the 3d and beginning of the OT. But, that is a normal hockey game.
How can you not call the Nummi trip? A puck carrier can’t have a stick stuck in his feet can he?
I thought the Parish thing might have been a needless push like against Foster. But, maybe not.
Except for Fedoruk’s goal, every other was a bounce or deflection.
We had our chances, Theodore was big when needed.
Nummi was tripped for sure, even the offending player thought he was going to be called.
Gabby and Demo were not lazy…they were both highly contained. Like Forsberg and Stasny there was no room.
Backs played solid and the lapses JL talked about happened.
Skoula was beat tired in OT. It was inevitable he would be on the ice for the final goal.
Only two media members asked questions. This is not surprising at all. The Twin Cities media has to be the laziest collective of sports reporters in the country (not you Russo). I have first hand experience with these guys covering a major sporting event a few years back. These guys don’t do their homework and reap the benefits of others asking questions….and if they do ask a question it’s one of the most obvious and least interesting questions that could be asked.
It’s cool Dave. I just hate those bastages!
I can see letting some pushing and shoving that would normally be roughing go. I can see letting a trip in the corner go if they’re fighting for the puck.
I can’t however see a trip go when the player who is tripped is skating, has open ice in front of him, the tripper knows he tripped him, and ALL of the players stop playing because they saw it and know it’s a trip.
I’m over it though. I love playoff hockey! Go get ‘em in game 2!
G*,
With all due respect, not entirely sure what your point is, but “Worst player on the ice,” and “horseshat” are your words, not mine.
Considering the long-term roster decisions that need to be made this off-season, the obvious fact that Wild management still has a few unanswered questions about certain players’ playoff performances (Bouchard’s included), and the spotlight put upon these players by the media, I think the observations are compelling. It would seem at least some others agree.
Perhaps we can agree to disagree?
In general, it seemed like we did not have guys going to the net. That is what the Ave’s did on way fewer opportunities and why they got three goals.
So, when Theodore did give a rebound, we were not there.
Would that be Hill Greenstar? We need to get more out of him than 8 minutes with the depleted D corps.
After thinking about it for a few hours, I still don’t really have a problem with how they played.
Hopefully they can use that frustration in a positive way, instead of getting timid.
I don’t know what they were, but the 3 stars could have been:
1. Theodore
2. Sakic
3. Theodore
For those of you that were at the game live, how did Hill and Carney look on defense? Was there an obvious difference without Schultz?
“So, when Theodore did give a rebound, we were not there.”
Boogie was there! Too bad his reaction couldn’t have been a second quicker. How awesome would that have been to have Boogs get the GWG in OT!?
first post in Russoville, w00t!
I felt I needed my first post to commend Nummelin on his effort last night. Perhaps it was the focus placed on him, due to Shultz’s unexpected departure… but I thought he played an excellent game. Good pinches, just wished one of ‘em went in.
Also, I don’t believe anything could be done about that rebound in OT. The puck hit a skate, not a pad and just ended up on Super Joe’s stick… even I could have put that in. That’s the way it bounces sometimes.
FInally, I was sort of expecting Bouchard to carry the puck into the middle more tonight. Seems that he’s still just stopping on the perimeter to make a pass. I saw several opportunities for him to carry it in for a chance at a shot. c’mon Butch, step it up… it probably won’t hurt that much!
Overall I thought the boys in Red owned the game, despite the score. Hopeful for a W in game 2!
/b
You know Wally you are right as usual. I think Gabby, Demitra, and Butch can do better in the production department. The first game always favors the visiting team Wally.
Boogy played his best game in a Minnesota Wild uniform last night
Skoula played his best game in a Minnesota Wild uniform
Fridge will end up being one of the Wilds best playoff performers for the Wild. He will be the biggest story if the Wild enter the cup
Simon is needed in the roster to help the Wild open up spaces for the skill guys to the things they do well
I would not be surprised if Parrish did not play hockey next year. Not becasue he got hurt last night
In a series like this, I dont think that its that serious of a situation if a team is down as bad as 2 games to 0. You get down 3- 0, that might be a different thing, but we do have home ice in game 7.
welcome, brdhouse (in your soul)…nice opening salvo. Hope to keep reading you…
perhaps.
they might be my words but are you really trying to tell me your 4 point post wasn’t saying that? how else should one read that? the post had nothing good to say about PMB so why would one post that if they don’t believe he is horseshat in playoffs?
to add, it is ok to think PMB is horseshat. that i disagree with.
VoR,
Gotcha, I was looking for a take from someone who saw it live (in person).
Sack - itch. Hilarious!! Good one.
ATW,
JoeBlowCocks = Hilarious, Rated M version. lol.
NiNY,
The defense was tired in OT and some poor passes were made. Schultz could have taken some relief off the other D.
Overall they played well. Burns was fired up every shift. The weakest set was Carney and Nummi. Strongest were Johnnson and Burns.
The offense helped out a lot down deep.
Solid play overall.
Beaver. Good post. I think what you are saying is that if the Wilds backs are against the wall, they wont lose to this team ? I agree… Even if they drop 3-0, I think we win in 7 games because we have game 7 at home
Nice TMBG reference Nick!
Welcome to the insane asylum Brdhouse. PMB has proven he can take a big hit (what game was that where he got crushed at center ice?). He should know it’s coming and he should be willing to sacrifice to create scoring opportunities. He showed a ton of confidence last night, hopefully it translates into a more gritty effort in future games. Not to say he didn’t give effort or anything negative like that… I obviously love the guy! Go PMB!
NiNY,
Thank you very much for your generosity last night. It was very much appreciated, and you were toasted heartily. Sure wish you could have been there. It was really cool to put some faces with names (or faces with on-line personas, anyway).
Greenstar: If you’re talking to me, I in no way think PMB’s play was HS, quite the contrary, as he is one of my favs to watch… I just kind of expected him to carry it into the middle more, which has been his plight this entire season and seems to be the expectations for new contract. “Shoot more.”
Yeah, I think they took the 2nd off…they weren’t skating as much which is why they got jumped on in the score…maybe i missed something Yeah, like no one taking their man, no hitting, didn’t work to get the scoring chances like they had in the 1st, etc.. We must have different ideas of what pressure is, but to each his own.
Gabby, and particularly Demitra, when they didn’t have the puck looked like pylons, little movement. Gabby doesn’t need the puck to have the team score…just him moving a lot faster than he was will make Colorado think twice and “cheat” to help cover him thus creating more space for other players.
Austin, I respectfully disagree, I kept an eye on him on the times when the TV would not be and he was not moving. I asked my buddy about it and he agreed wondering if maybe Gabby had a touch of the flu. Gabby was flat, which is not to say he didn’t put some good effort into it when he had the puck, but virtually no effort when he didn’t. To be certain, JT had a great game, well yeah so did Giguere in 2003, and we scored 1 goal the entire series, you have to beat the hot goaltender make him not so hot, pure and simple and I know our boys can do that.
BeantownChris, thanks for the stat, I didn’t know that..all the more reason for us to take it to them in the 1st and 3rd.
There was a couple times I wanted PMB to just shoot, but he wants to make the pass..hopefully he’ll get better on striking a balance…I had no issues with him other than that.
Of course this game isn’t the end of the world, but i woulda felt better if we won the 1st homer and lost the 2nd if we were gonna lose any..
NiNY - i posted props to you in the last blog, FYI.
i thought carney was fine. hill was absent the 3rd. i think he is slower than carney.
i didn’t recognize skoula in the 1st period.
i don’t think the D was a liability last night.
In a series like this, I dont think that its that serious of a situation if a team is down as bad as 2 games to 0.
Really? You drop two on home ice and I’d say that’s pretty serious.
I had my eye on Parry when he took the hit and it certainly didn’t look to me like it was anything close to dirty. In fact, from my angle I was wondering why Parrish didn’t just stopped (I assume he must have kinda been stumbling or something?).
I thought the Wild played a strong game overall - they keep this up for the rest of the series and we should have no worries. There were times I forgot the Avs even had Forsberg (though not the last 10 mins of the third). We need Gabby to break free a little and generate some O, though.
Good old Wally- That is what I am saying, THE WILD WILL NOT LOSE A GAME TO THIS TEAM WHEN THEY ARE FACING ELIMINATION, EVEN IF COLORADO WINS 3 STRAIGHT
NINY, I thought the D looked decent, Nummy was rusty a few times, Skoula wasn’t as bad as he can be, so I’m encouraged defense wise. Carney did alright too, not sure about Hill
“I kept an eye on him on the times when the TV would not be and he was not moving.”
I think that makes a huge difference. I can’t see that stuff on the TV. All I see is when he did jump into the play. And when he did that, which seemed fairly often to me, I saw him getting beat up and banged around a lot. The Avs are obviously going to spend a little extra energy to contain Gabby… maybe he was standing around a little trying to catch his breath from the beating he was taking? You make a great point though… I wish I could have been at the X!
I thought Yoda was fine too. He’s old, but rarely does he have mental lapses. Hill’s got both of those working against him.
I liked seeing Yoda out there with Burns for a few shifts. Burns just seems to play different - more relaxed maybe.
i have a debate going with someone else brdhse. not you.
Speaking of Boogy, he got more than 8 minutes in regulation, plus a couple of shifts it OT. Very unusual. He’s usually around 3 minutes per game. I’d like to hear an explanation from Russo on that. Was Boogy on his game? Did Lemaire want him out there to establish dominance? Both?
beaver=gow….they seem to pat each other on the back alot
I am going to go waaay out on a limb here and say Skoula was GOOD last night. I thought he did a damn fine job all night. The puck off the skate to JowBlows*censored* was not his fault.
Beantown, I expect it had something to do with Parrish going down. I could be way off base with that though…
NiNY, one obvious difference was in the minutes played.
Yohnny = 33, Burns = 34, Skoula = 27, Nummi = 22, Carney = 14, Hill = 9.
Austin, I think gabby kicks it up a bit when he doesn’t have the puck, we win the rest of the games.
Sakic, while awesome, was lucky on that GWG…whole team collapsed aroung the net leaving the points open for the shot, Joe gets the rebound, nuthin’ but net. I’ll be back on later..
Nummelin was way out of position on the OT goal. He should not have been chasing the Avs forward up and along the blue line.
Lemaire can yell at Sheppard all he wants, but Nummelin made the team vulnerable. For a guy that hasn’t played a lot he should keep in simple, especially in the playoffs during overtime.
The Avs scored two goals because of positioning flaws by the Wild, the open pass to Sauer and the OT winner. You can’t survive in the playoffs like that. Most goals are scored because of small little errors like that.
ATW, brdhouse:
I’m am with you guys, PMB’s been one of my fave’s since the draft! I’ve had the good fortune of conversing with him, and his dad, and I think the guy is awesome, all heart.
As coaches and management (and brdhouse, above) have pointed out, Butch could benefit from getting the puck to the slot, and become more dynamic by shooting more often. This is an decision-making issue. Not an effort issue.
I think you mis-spoke there phil…I think what you were tying to say was this: “Sakic, while a giant douchebag, was lucky on that GWG” 
Honestly though, that’s what it boils down to more often than not… just ONE lucky bounce.
Boogey did well enough, as someone else said, he was one who did crash the net.
Brdhse, you need to look at an early post to see what Greenstar is arguing about.
Remember, PMB is not Thornton, he does not have the tools to go through people. If their D’s do not get suckered, he will need to say outside and look for a better chance.
AiH - JL described it as this: if the D follows the guy out up high, the center has to stay in front of the net and on the game winner, the center didn’t stay in front of the net. so while i could agree that nummi probably shouldn’t have chased, he did and shep didn’t recognize that and stay at home. i’d see more blame on nummi if JL said, we talked and the D should be chasing the forwards high.
no matter how you slice it, it was a breakdown in defensive end and colorado capitalized on it.
Iceman… I think this is a good argument against what you just said: http://youtube.com/watch?v=cctN_UTtgD0
I am not saying he can do that all the time… but he is capable of it.
For the love of Dieu! Can someone PLEASE let Terhar & Greenlay know that if they insist on pronouncing Theodore the french way it sounds like “TAY-O-DOOR” not “TEE-O-DOOR”?!!! C’est a vous rendre fou!!!!
P.S. Can we demand a urine test on Theodore? Maybe the Propecia is responsible for his goaltending magic?
one thing about the Backstrom penalty shot save, was that he actually made a save (as opposed to Smyth missing the net). I think that’s huge.
LOL @ Rayray
Yes, he is capable of it. I am not knocking him. But, he does not have the physical size to muck it up. So, he will not do as well inside.
The Ave’s did a good job defensing us too, otherwise Gabby would have had some moments.
But, I still think we outplayed them, and the game came down to some bounces and they had more favorable ones than we did.
Like Good Old Wally and his sidekick or alter ego (Beaver), I really like our chances.
Like Greenstar said, the GWG was a bounce but made possible by a breakdown in your end.
Once you ask or expect people to be aggressive and opportunistic (Nummi), then the switching player (Sheppard) needs to be alert.
All this happens so quickly, I do not really fault either, it is just something that happens.
It could have ended a rush earlier and with a W, if Burns would have a, or b, or c, or d. That was not a fault either, just something that happens.
It was like Greenstar said, a great hockey game to watch. We did plenty good. Don’t expect Colorado to wilt.
I think the pronumciation of Jose Theodore is problematic and has changed over time. It isn’t clear cut. I think I read that on his Wiki entry?
Same with Christobal Huet.
GreenStar - I agree with what you said about the responsibility. But I’m sure there is a comfort level Sheppard just doesn’t have with Nummy at this point.
The Wild got caught with a rookie and a d-man that hasn’t played a lot in OT with Sakic on the ice. Not a great match up.
For those of you that were at the game live, how did Hill and Carney look on defense? Was there an obvious difference without Schultz?
I was at the X and just logged on to Russoville and the positivity in this place has already warmed my cold heart for Friday! However, after the tying goal, I did think Schultz’s absence was obvious as it seemed to take so much effort from Burns, KJ and Skoula to hold off the Avs. As iceman’s data showed, those guys played some serious minutes and I didn’t think they were getting enough support from the forwards (as a group) either. Bottom line? I think that unless the Wild get that early lead they worked for last night, JL is going to have to give more minutes to Hill and/or Carney.
Once again, 3 cheers to Russoville for keeping your head up!
I thought it was huge too NiNY. To me that is the start of an exorcism of deamons.
One thing that was clear is Skoula, Rolston and Burns were all skating incredibly well. You could clearly notice they elevated their game a bit for the playoffs.
I think the Wild can out skate the Avs to a playoff series win. To be honest, the Avs looked slow and maybe even tired in OT.
Lastly, PMB and Rolston need to stop circling back to the blue line once they gain the zone. The Avs are giving them that easy ice all day long because it is easy to chip it out of the zone. They need to fight for that tough ice and get down low.
I keep seeing Skoula had a good game comments, I’m guessing you mean a good game for Skoula? Which I would disagree with. Still did the typical Skoula stuff in my eyes, couple of brain cramps, a couple of random falls, still not taking the body. and the overtime goal was still his man. Weird bounce or not, that is the kind of stuff that happens to him all the time. And I thought he was getting waaaay to much time in ot. I will never get what Lemaire sees in him.
What do you guys think of Sheps first playoff game? Put aside the GWG and I think he played a really good game. I noticed him getting physical at both ends of the ice.
Did anyone else notice that JL seemed to have swithced the lines around for OT? Why would he do that?
ATW,
Fantastic pull! THAT was awesome. Couldn’t agree more, absolutely is capable.
-A picture (or youtube clip) is worth a thousand words.
NiNY: Lol. A decent save, at that.
Did it remind you a bit (technique-wise) of how Manny used to completely block off the lower part of the net from in close on breakaways?
karitakko, on the GWG, would you have preferred he take Sakic and leave the other guy standing there unattended? What if he had? I guess the shot wouldn’t have gone off his skate. Instead, Backstrom would have made the save and possibly coughed up a rebound for the unattended guy standing there to pound home. If that had happened, Skoula would have been faulted for covering Sakic instead of the other dude. The real fault lies with the teammates that left him hanging out in front with two opposing players.
Question for everyone blogging ????
Has anyone ever seen Boogy play better then he did last night ?? I never have
I would aruge Skoula played a good physical game. He routinely had forwards well tied up in the corners and made some hits.
He was responsible with his rushes up ice.
karitakko - what do you want from the guy? Two Wild players were 30 feet out of position, neither is Skoula and you still drag him into it?
karitakko, were you at the game? I was not, I had to watch on TV. But from what I saw Skoula played well all around. I didn’t see him randomly fall once. I also noticed him check a few guys and dig in the corners often. Maybe he fell down off camera and I didn’t see it? When I did see him hit the ice, it was because he got tripped up while battling in the corners.
[…] cable tribute this week Munster Timeshttp://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/fh/free/317879078106194.phpGame 1: Colorado 3, Wild 2 OTGame 1: Colorado 3, Wild 2 OT Posted on April 10th, 2008 ?? 12:31 AM By Michael Russo The puck just […]
Goody - I think Sheppard was as good as he has been most of the season. He didn’t seem blown away by the pace. Decent 1st playoff game, especially considering he is 19.
I forget to mention Belanger with my accolades. He didn’t have any glorious scoring chances but I remember him skating really well and applying a nice back check on several occassions.
Rolston really impressed me last night with his skating. I remember seeing him get a break along the left side of Theodore, and he was flying. I thought he looked great.
I wonder if Simon will be dressed for the next game… I wouldn’t mind seeing him out there instead of Boogie. If only because he has more SCP ‘experience’.
Anyone think JL will go back to the three-center rotation to throw Colorado off balance or do you think that he’s so in love with Demo at center that he’ll keep him there? Last night he seemed to flip Demo from wing to center and back.
Beaver:
One of Boogey’s best games. Almost banged in a rebound goal, active in front of the net, drew a critical penalty.
Goody:
I thought Shep looked solid (minus the ot lapse). Physical, protected the puck well, great speed and intensity.
karitakko: Do you value Skoula’s ability to protect the puck, to take a hit without losing possession, to either pass or skate the puck out of the zone safely, or play solid positionally?
wonder if Simon will be dressed for the next game
simon has better hands in front of the net.
G*, that was my thinking. I love Boogie, but maybe Simon’s experience would do some good.
Looks like we all pretty much agree there were a lot of positives in this game.
It certainly feels better than the first game against Anaheim last year.
We might be in for another 5 or 6 one goal games. Buckle in folks.
BTW, to all fans at the X last night, the crowd looked and sounded great. Keep that up!
I wonder if Simon will be dressed for the next game… I wouldn’t mind seeing him out there instead of Boogie. If only because he has more SCP ‘experience’.
He has also scored a few more goals as well - I think he needs to play to see which one brings more vs. the Avs. Full credit to Boogie for the effort last night - there would be no roof on the X had he scored so it would have been wierd to play Game 2 at Target Center!
AiH - after our goal in the 3rd i maybe sat down 5% of the remaining time. in the 2nd, 2 ladies sat in the unoccupied seats behind me. they had press pass badges and it referenced some consulting company. anyway, one commented that it was much better down here (lower level) because no one ever stands up in the club level. I took a look and she was right, not many standing in club, or upper level.
I don’t know that Boogey was playing better, but he certainly was playing MORE. Mostly because Parrish was out. Fridge didn’t see the ice in the first 5 minutes, and Boogey didn’t see the ice until later than that!
One thing that I don’t think I’ve seen anyone mention is that Lemaire went back to the 3 center rotation that we saw before Belanger got injured. Demitra was back at the wing.
However, after pinning the loss on Shep, I wonder if we’ll see Demitra back at center for Game 2. (Along with some of the other lineup questions: Does Simon or Voros go in for Parrish? Does one of them replace Boogie too?)
Interesting note: During the first intermission, Voros was hanging out on the lower level near the elevator to the press box, talking to a couple of people. (Parents maybe? They looked about the age his parents would be.) While a couple of people got autographs, hardly anyone even noticed he was there.
Oh great and powerful Hockey Gods! I regards to my fevered prayers last night … WTF!!! What do I have to do to get my hard working boys a good bounce? What do I have to sacrifice, a goat, a chicken, a copy of the script for Slapshot? Please do not forsake my boys again tomorrow, I beg of you to let them win out the next 4. In the name of Gordie, Herbie, and the Great One, drop the puck!
to respond to the skoula stuff, from my seats in the 200 level, maybe it’s just to easy to pick apart his game, but i just feel unsafe everytime he is out there, not something you should feel like about a defensemen. but i understand without schultz, what are you going too do.
and to be more positive, I thought Parrish was great before he got hurt and Boogey played a great all around game. I don’t get when teams always say they’ll get him to take dumb penalties, because he rarely does. Now if we can just play like we did in the first and first half of the third we can go somewhere.
My first post too! Nice reading everyone’s thoughts - overall I thought they played well - lots of intensity, good speed, etc. My concern for the series is the ice time a few of our d-men are putting in - I thought they tired in the 3rd and OT and that was a big reason they lost. Really missing Foster and Schultz.
That and the Avs were really getting to the net. In particular I thought Smyth was outstanding for them. Forsburg was tough too. We need to create more melees and chaos in front of JT if we are going to have a chance to score against him.
Bandgeek, we need a Slovkian chicken, a Finnish goat and a Sweedish meatball to sacrifice. Damn, now I’m hungry!
Beaver- I agree with you on Boogie, he palyed well on both ends of the rink.
Backs was outstanding on PS. At the time I thought we were sunk due to his poor SO performances.
2 things I noticed that we could do better on the offence.
1. Get a man in the slot. It seamed we had someone in front of Jose on many of shots for screens but nobody in the perfect shooting position.
2. In later parts of the game, we passed to permitier to take shots. Instead of making those passes to the outside, we shoulded of just unloaded. I think we would have better chances in scoring.
Two questions:
1. Is Jacques punishing us for something? Does he not want us to win? How else to explain keeping Demo in center and not allowing him to wing with Gabby all the darn time? And playing Boogey in OT? True, he had a good offensive game — for Boogey; but that’s not saying all that much.
2. Am I the only one who felt some pangs of betrayal when Walz showed up for LPH? Loved the guy when he played, but very irritated at his retirement timing, which left us pretty bare at Center.
Slovakian chicken
G*/ATW:
Agreed. Woulda been nice to have Simon in position to put away that rebound that Boogie missed, eh?
Looks like someone has some envy. glad we have stooped to the level of lewd name calling. 2nd grade all over again. And here I thought we were classy folks.
I don’t know if I felt pangs of betrayal, SS, but it was sure bittersweet seeing Walz with his sweater on but not on the ice. We sure could have used him.
but i just feel unsafe everytime he is out there
this makes earlier comments make sense. skoula played well but if you are predisposed to thinking he can’t play well. he has given plenty of reason in the past to feel this way so i can’t blame you.
BFW, that is exactly what I was thinking. Simon has been there before, he may have buried that chance.
El Gato
When’s lunch?
Sounds good but I never had goat. I’ve eaten crow but no goat
Does it taste like chicken?
1. Is Jacques punishing us for something? Does he not want us to win? How else to explain keeping Demo in center and not allowing him to wing with Gabby all the darn time?.
Or, you know, he thinks Demo is good at defense and wants his speed and intelligence at center.
Woulda been nice to have Simon in position to put away that rebound that Boogie missed, eh?
when JL started trotting DB out on power play, this was my first thought.
I wouldn’t guarantee simon puts it away but i would be willing to wager he gets a stick on it. I love DB but he just don’t have good hands unless fighting
Reid - Of course there is envy. The lanche won game one for godsake. It’s the darn SCP for crying out laud. Name calling comes with the territory. We go back to being classy in the off-season, at least a few of us.
If you want classy I’m sure the Ordway has a blog somewhere that you can check out!
How is it that in this day and age, our local joe’s can’t broadcast playoff hockey in HD?
Very dissappointing.
El Gato - I’ll get the meatball, grandma’s old recepie.
Channel 45 doesn’t have the ability to broadcast in HD, that is why their games are in SD. (And there’s no way Channel 5 is going to give up ABC’s prime time schedule for the Wild games.)
For all the talk about Jose being brilliant last night, there were a LOT of juicy rebounds, we just never had anyone in position to get them.
The Avs got a rebound to come to them in OT (or you might say, they were in position to collect rebounds) - we had far more rebounds, but never got to them.
45 needs to be removed from the playoff schedule if the KSTP family can not provide an HD option by this time next year. I think Friday is on FSN North HD, right? Only in the NHL could the Wild playoff game bee seen in HD only in Canada or 500 (?) miles outside the TC on Vs. (joined in progress)!
El Gato,
Isn’t that already some sort of delicacy?
Swedish meatball, stuffed in a Slovakia chicken, stuffed in a Finnish goat?
LOL.
I’m with you Danny, I thought Jose made a lot of good saves but I didn’t think he was the reincarnation of Patrick Roy.
There seemed to be a lot of net to shoot at up high and in the corners.
I think there is an option to really rattle this guy with a 4 or 5 goal game.
I hear you, VOR. That’s certainly what Jacques says about Demo. But I can’t say that I’ve really seen it: he is often lazy about back-checking. And I think it’s safe to say that he’s much better at offense than at defense — if only because he feels more comfortable and likes it better.
I also hate seeing him getting physical. He’s had several serious concussions and, not to be too overdramatic, but the next one could end his career.
A couple of MY answers to questions…
Boogaard was playing in OT because he was playing well and JL needed to play him because the forwards he was relying on were GASSED.
The worst D pairing I saw was Skoula/Hill. I cried almost the whole shift.
Theodore was the story. Wild get a goal in the 1st, it is a completely different game.
Quit hanging Nummelin, Skoula and Sheppard out to dry for the OT GWG. Where was the forward (who should have been on the point - on Salei) that started the positioning breakdown?
Stuff like that happens when you play bigger minutes than you are used to. Our D men sucked it up (7 shots through 2 periods!).
We had a lot of shots, and some very good scoring chances…but (and this might be my bias) it seemed like none of the good chances were generated by Gaborik or Demitra. We cannot win the series without them being on the scoresheet. Both of them were -1 with one shot each.
I wanted to blog a bit more last night, but in every period break, the edge network was dead. Too many iphones trying to surf the net or something.
Anyways, I thought Skoula had a VERY solid game. He was beat at the end. But if you look at his TOI sheets, he played a little over 1/3rd of the 3rd period (7.5 min or so), and almost 6 of the 11 minutes in OT. I would almost say that it was one of his best games yet.
Boogie had a HUGE game. Almost 9 minutes, over 3 of them on the power play. One shift was 1.02 on the PP (He was DEAD after that), couple of shifts in OT, couple of well timed hits. Great all around game. Too bad this couldn’t have happen 6-8 games ago so he would have had some more ice time. I think Boogie might have had almost as much PP time as Gabby.
Overall, I thought it was a great game. The new projectors for the pregame make a incredible show. Crowd was into it. I don’t think I have ever had to stand up as much as I did last night. 5am was way to early this morning.
Austin, thank you for the correct description on gentlemen Joe, I was LMAO! But I still like him, he’s a class act…now if he’d just quit scoring on us
Ok first things first. How was McGovern’s and is anybody going Friday?
Why is NiNY the second coming and being praised on high?
The boys played very well last night. How bout that Boogie? Bandgeek you should be very proud. Didn’t he get a PP shift as well? GreenStar - relax dude. PMB was ok last night. It’s going to take him a couple of games to get in playoff mode. Even he knows this (article via the Don).
If Gaborik is going to be watched so closely he needs to use that to his advantage and make the Avs chase him. Fedoruk got no respect in front of the net and look what happened. We’re fine. Thedore was phenominal, but he’s still a goalie/headcase. Let’s get in there a rattle things around a bit. Mess with his confidence, we can do it. We have the technoligy(sp).
Oh, and thanks again to NiNY. The 5 of us really enjoyed your company!!!
I hope we can return the favor in round 2…
yeah, I hate that too. when the games get broadcast on the crap-tastic local channels with no HD. it really is frustrating. why aren’t they all on FSNNorth? what could fsn possibly be showing that people would watch more than a playoff game?
phil, I will never deny his skill/classiness, but I definitely will always call him a douche when he plays against my favorite team!
Why is everyone thanking NiNY? I missed something.
HOw about a Lutefisk sacrafice? But, if I had any, which I do not, giving it up would be no sacrafice at all.
Lots of shots from Rolston’s cannon came all the way out of the zone again.
Without Parish, I assume both Simon and Boogey? Voros, Foy, or Pouliot has not delivered something better than 11 or 24.
OK, now I have to ask. What’s the NiNY stuff I missed at McGoverns?
I’ll be there on Friday if we still are doing a take 2 of that event.
ss6…I thought McGoverns was just marvelous… NiNY was kind enough to send some $$$ to me to buy a few rounds. He IS the Russoville Bartender you know.
I’m sorry Goalieguy and Iceman couldn’t join us and I hope you all decide to get together tomorrow night.
Green* was his usual jovial self in his Foppa Sandals…
Dickie Dunn is even more eloquent in person.
El Gato didn’t wear his ass-less chaps (thank God).
Dave…I hope your fiancee found you ok. We tried to prop you up against the light pole but you kept falling down…
19.3 souls at the game, all revved up. Not too shabby.
If people are congregating again at McGoverns or other, it would be fun to be there. Maybe.
kj, I need to be in the the metro and so it is my intention.
lol iceman. Once you have aquired the tast for Lutfisk it is indeed a sacrifice to go without. I doubt however that the hockey Gods Bandgeek was calling on have that aquired taste, so we better stick to the meatballs.
I like the idea of a Wild MeChiGo sort of like a variation of the Turducken Concept.
El Gato,
LMAO! I was way off! I guess the Bedouin wedding feast I was thinking of is actually stuffed CAMEL. ewwww.
I guess we could create our own???
I strongly suggest that you all meet somewhere.
It was a LOT of fun meeting some of the hockey afficianados that post here.
kj,
Yes, she found me. Thanks. I walked about a mile down Kellogg. It was a nice night.
I’ll second kj’s thoughts that it was fun meeting some of my fellow Russotans. I can’t be there Friday, but I would also encourage those of you who can to do it. One word of advice, though: devise some way to identify each other beforehand.
Sorry SuperSinker you’re on your own with the critisism of Boogie. He did his job and did it well. I hope he gets more and more ice time.
Ok so it sounds like fun. So who is going to confirm. Mr. ss6 is going to give me a hard time about McGovern’s pre-game so if I’m going to have to go a round then I want to make sure someone is going to be there. We have tickets (thank you hockey guys and a certain chef with a pig boyfriend)and have to work til 6:00 so won’t get there til probably 6:45. Is anybody game? Or maybe better yet afterthe game. It is Friday night and on Friday nights I don’t turn in to a pumpkin until at least 11:00pm
Well, if you see an old nerd, who has probably spent too many hours posting and not enough in the exercise room, just wandering around McGoverns looking lost, it is probably me.
Your choice to let me keep wandering or not.
GreenStar - relax dude
i am relaxed. what gave you the impression i wasn’t?
i doubt i will don the foppa shoes on friday. they don’t work well in 6 inches of snow.
Friday night and on Friday nights I don’t turn in to a pumpkin until at least 11:00pm
that’s good because with the 8pm start, the game may not be over by 11pm
If I am there, it is early. Do not have tickets, coming home to nortland after McGovern pregame.
do people still do the old “pull the fire alarm at the visiting team’s hotel at 3 in the morning” gag, or is that now frowned upon?
More importantly, is the Wild staying in the same hotel (the St. Paul?) as the Avs?!
El Gato didn’t wear his ass-less chaps (thank God).
kj, that would be a very disturbing visual. I don’t like drafty pants, thank God I don’t have any.
ss6, by all means try and meet up with people, but that place was a zoo by 6:15 last night, it might be worse on Friday (unless the blizzard of the millenium is at hand).
bfw, I’m sure John Madden has tried goatchikball before, probably while fantasizing over Favre!
note: Nick in New York does not encourage the pulling of any fire event warning device without proper cause (ie there is a fire event).
I was hoping Burnsie would just leave a snake or 2 in every Avs players room!
Well, I for one am glad the games are on 45. If they weren’t I wouldn’t get to see them. Unlike many of you, I don’t have a grand lying around to plop down on an HDTV. I also don’t have the bucks to waste on 400 channels of cable that I won’t watch. So, no broadcast on 45 = no Wild hockey for me. I’d guess that I’m no the only one in that boat.
Man, I went over to the AVS blog..night of the living dead over there…no activity at all…that Dater fella hasn’t even updated his blog with comments from the game.
I was keeping my eye on other players, what were the impressions of how Hill did?
Actually Goody, like you I am grateful for what we do get.
Normally 45 is not in the mix but the Wild were able to get that done for us. So, even when the Twins or Gophers or Timberwolves need to be worked around I am OK with that too.
Last night was weird locally, the Twins regular season was on radio, and not the SCPO Wild? Misapporpriated priorities.
Phil, he seemed to work his way to the bench.
Phil, he seemed to work his way to the bench.
OUCH!
I have to say I didn’t notice Hill. That could be good (no boneheaded moves) or bad (no big hits or brilliant defensive plays). That said, I’d be happy to continue to not notice him.
One thing I haven’t seem much comment on (though I haven’t read the paper yet today) is PMBs penalty that led to the Avs second goal. I was at the game so didn’t see much of a replay but it seemed like a pretty bogus call from what I could tell.
To me, that penalty on Butch was another indication of how it seemed like the planets just weren’t aligned properly for us last night. First, their version of Keith Carney scores a goal, then they get another goal on a power play they got because our Lady Byng candidate was called for “slashing”. Bogus!
DP, I didn’t see a very good replay either. If what I saw was what they called it was bogus. They called slashing it looked to me like he was lifting rather than coming down on the Avs player’s stick. I wasn’t aware you could slash with an upward motion.
have to say I didn’t notice Hill
more likely because he only played 9 minutes.
I don’t have a grand lying around to plop down on an HDTV.
plan for more than a grand. also, it ain’t so bad when you use the best buy card and get no interest for 3 years. i bought my LCD in 01/07 and i have until sometime in 1010 to have it paid off without interest.
I also don’t have the bucks to waste on 400 channels of cable that I won’t watch.
i have 260ish channels in my favorites on DTV and don’t watch all of them.
If you live in the cities, you should be able to pickup the OTA channels (2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 17, 23, 29, 45) with an antenna and get HD feeds. it can be higher PQ than picking signal up from dish or cable
well, HD tvs can certainly be had for $500. that is all mine was. and, you can get cable with less than 400 channels. i love that standard line. If you really wanted to watch them, there are many alternatives. for me, it is the only reason that I have cable, and HD Cable. I pretty much cancel it until hockey season starts again.
I do live in the cities. I get all of those channels (you forgot 13). Still don’t have $1000+ for an HDTV.
You do know that most of those ‘no interest/no payments’ deals will back charge all the interest that you would have paid if you don’t have the thing paid off by the deadline don’t you?
I’m not too big on borrowing money right now. I’ve been working hard for several years to pay off some past mistakes.
FSN wouldn’t necessarily be the answer for an HD broadcast, either. I do not think they televised more than 10 games in HD all year long.
true, 10 is pretty close. but throw in versus and HDNET, and you get a great number of hockey games in HD. which, I was a big skeptic of until I saw a hockey game in it.
You do know that most of those ‘no interest/no payments’ deals will back charge all the interest that you would have paid if you don’t have the thing paid off by the deadline don’t you?
which is why you pay it off before the deal ends, which they clearly tell you on your statement. If someone can’t figure that out then they shouldn’t buy this way but it really ain’t that hard to figure out.
i’ve bought a wash machine, PC and HDTV and never paid a dime in interest.
add in Directv and CI and you get probably 75% of all hockey games in HD.
FSN is showing a lot of twins games in HD so I suspect they will up the ante for hockey next season.
maybe that’s why i didn’t notice Hill, he wasn’t on the ice enough, thanks for the info gents.
hmm, not much new to say i guess. our lack of depth at the back might kill us this series, though i thought nummy was one of our better players hill and carney are just too inconsistent.
boogey was also one of our best players, i don’t see putting simon in for cuz yeah, simon has better hands, but simon has been 98% crap for the wild and boogey really came to play last night (we definitely need that energy)…he shouldn’t have been on the ice in ot, though.
otherwise props to burns, fedoruk and koivu for coming to play (everyone else was hit or miss all night)…
I would guess both Boogie and Simon dress for the next game as Parrish will probably still be out from his injury.
Agree with the comments above about the phantom P-Marc slashing call. He caught the guy from behind, and brought his stick down on top of the Avs’ guy’s stick, but usually there is no slashing call unless:
A: In doing that, you knock the stick out of the player’s hands, or
B: You break their stick, or
C: You hit their arms or hands while doing so.
Rule 85 says: “Slashing is the act of swinging a player’s stick at an opponent, whether contact is made or not.
(NOTE) Non aggressive stick contact to the pant or front of the shin pads, should not be penalized as slashing.”
None of those three things happened, and P-Marc definitely didn’t “swing his stick” at an opponent, so I don’t know what the grounds for the call were.
Now, having said that, I thought the Boarding call on Bruno in the 1st period was absolute BS as well. The only difference is that the Avs scored on their phantom-call power play, and we didn’t.
Interest free is the way to go!
kj and the missus wouldn’t be enjoying their new CalSpa hot tub without it…
I think I am starting to function again.
I was wrong about my 3 point night for Nummelin, but Marty wasn’t a minus. ok, he wasn’t a plus either so I guess it’s a push…
I don’t think Voros will get a sniff of ice. Which is too bad, but I don’t think JL wants to risk a dumb penalty.
I think Boogie’s play lately, not just last night has been great. No dumb penalties, actually drawing them. He’s kept his head and kept out of the box.
He’s got a ways to go but there is definitly potential there other than bone-crushin’.
Goody - I guess I should not have ripped 45 like that and I am glad you get to see the over the air broadcasts - my guess is that the Wild leads the league in free TV games. Since the Avs have Altitude, my guess is there are no free Avs games in CO. However, HD is not good, its great for the NHL so they need to do a much better job of getting it out there. Although I was at last night game, it still bugs me that people in Cali and Canada got an HD feed and people in Roseville and Lakeville got none.
I am thinking Voros (with his penchant for ‘aggressive’ play to the net) gets in Friday’s game for Parrish. Either that or Matt ‘Boogity, Boogity’ Foy.
OK, my turn to chime in.
Great first period, really came out flying, but nothing to show for it. Huge game by Theodore, and keeping it scoreless… I have to think that’s the difference in the game. He’s been good this season, and a big part of the Avs success. Can’t take him for granted. I agree with a lot of the comments that the Wild kind of reverted back to playing too much around the outside in the offensive zone after the first period. I think they really need to be crashing the net better to get some tips and rebounds. Playoff goals are rarely pretty, and last night was no exception.
The D… Oh yeah, Shultz is missed big time, but I think they put in a nice effort overall. They had me nervous a lot, but they caught a few breaks and for the most part did enough. Skoula was Good Marty, and while he wasn’t perfect I think it was about as good a game you can expect from him, and the kind of game the Wild will need from him if they’re going to have a chance. Nummy was a bit rusty moving the puck–how many of his passed hit skates or sticks, especially early on? But, as I expected, he made a play on the PP.
Speaking of which, yeah that was a trip. Everyone was expecting a whistle there, and then nothing. Then there was Foppa punching Burnsie in the crease for no good reason, no retaliation, right in front of the stripes, no call. I think they decided they were going to swallow the whistle after the game got tied, which is kinda arbitrary and lame.
Anyway, after that tying goal, the Wild seemed to run out of gas and the Avs regrouped. They dominated the rest of the way, and I thought the Wild were very very fortunate to get out of the third still alive. I was hoping for a lucky bounce onto Gabby’s still for an OT breakaway that he would finish on, or a Burnsie special… so very very close there.
Anyway, I think the Wild should go big for Friday and start hitting more. Simon in for Parrish and Boogaard still in. The Avs are supposed to be the older, more fragile team. They need to punish them more physically. They did a decent job, but I think they need to take it up another notch. I don’t think Colorado was feeling uncomfortable enough last night.
They showed a close up of Backstrom last night on the 45 feed after the Smyth penalty shot save. His eyes were just intense and you could see him shaking from the adrenaline. It was awesome. Huge save their. Too bad they just couldn’t get the OT goal. For the first period and OT we were back to the not being able to buy a goal problem we had for a while. Great game.
They have the “Toughest Player of the Year Award” video from the jumbotron on Wild.com for those of us who weren’t at that game to see it.
well at least we’re only one point back, eh? :/
Anyway, I think the Wild should go big for Friday and start hitting more. Simon in for Parrish and Boogaard still in. The Avs are supposed to be the older, more fragile team. They need to punish them more physically. They did a decent job, but I think they need to take it up another notch. I don’t think Colorado was feeling uncomfortable enough last night.
agreed, toivo. Maybe the people that were there live can correct me, but I feel like we have enough of an overall speed advantage that we can add the third horseman and not get skated out of the rink, too.
I’d love to see Voros on the ice if it was the pre-Christmas Voros. He’d be a nice complement and add the hitting you guys are talking about.
Food
toivo,
I’m with ya.
I really like what Simon brings along the wall, and down low in the offensive zone. Creating space and PUCK PROTECTION. His size and strength makes it very difficult for opponents separate him from the puck, allowing the Wild to hold the zone and cycle down low or take the puck to the net. This isn’t always pretty, but it’s how you get pucks in the net in the playoffs.
Who would you skate him with?
Finger pastes Gaborik against the glass in a corner scrum. Fedoruk immediately teakettles Finger who slowly gets up looking like a drunken sailor. Have we ever seen that kind of cause and effect on the Wild? These guys are finally evolving into a real team with some swagger. I only hope that we didn’t wait too long to add the toughness and that the D injuries aren’t insurmountable.
TV channels in play today?
Mediacom offers about fourteen channels of TV preachers with their hands out, and when you are really lucky you can even get Danny O’Donnell.
Then, 2-1/2 channels of ESPN basketball and major network basketball, and finally FSN North.
So, you see like Goody, I do not feel like bitching about either D&D and lack of HD. Actually, I feel grateful they are there.
We were fairly wealthy in WCHA games until UMD’s television host was not paying their expenses, and did not renew with the Bulldogs this year, and so FSN gives us the Gophers and Wild.
But then, Betheny Lutheran College in Mankato started to produce some St Cloud State - MSU Mankato - and UMD games as a bonus. For anyone up here that wants some other local hockey it is often found on our Mediacom channel 22 (when the ESPN overflow is not using it, or Mediacom’s president is blathering to his secretary about how great Mediacom is.)
As a result, I also found a orphan hockey game on Channels 2, 3, 6, 9 & 11. But, we never have advance notice, you just need to find the games and there is no pregame, the games are just there and on-time but not early.
the real question is this - what the heck is boogaard and shepard doing on the ice together first of all??? the way the avs were in the wild zone the 2nd half of the 3rd and most of overtime - its pure coaching or lack therof to have these two inexperienced dudes on the ice at a critical time - TOGETHER !!! doh
If the wild lose to the Avs in the first round - Lemaire needs to be jettisoned along with his staff.
i’m probably the only person that agrees with gus that a first round loss + a new owner has to = dr and jl getting shown the door…they’ve created a solid foundation (thanks guys), but sometimes it really seems unlikely they can take us to the next level…
Sorry, I disagree. I don’t have any problems with the coaching or mgmt. You don’t think we’d have performed any differently with Foster or Schultz in the line-up? Let’s see how DR does this offseason with all the UFAs we have and maybe I’ll change my mind on him, but I like how our boys are playing.
Gus- You are not alone. I don’t understand what the heck JL is doing out there just about ALL the time. It’s time for him to ride into the sunset after this SCP ends.. Alot of it just doesn’t make sense-the never ending line switching, pulling goalie and then putting him back in the same game, etc? Communicate with the players through you (JL) not the media.
Why the FUCK does JL put Belanger on the final face off????? Fuck the FUCK doesn’t he take time-out????? Doctor, heeeeelp.
I can’t believe this game is not over yet.
Thank you GOD.
