Monday morning update
Posted on April 14th, 2008 – 10:55 AMBy Michael Russo
Hello, hello. About to walk over to the Pepsi Center. I’ll be back later after the Avs and Wild skates with updates.
Hope you found today’s advance interesting. I tried to not make it too “inside hockey,” but I think there are some pretty good anecdotes to give you a little bit of color regarding what it’s like to be on the Wild bench with Jacques Lemaire at the helm.
I tried to lighten it up at times in there, specifically with the lead, but to me it’s interesting and I know Lemaire’s line changes are always an ongoing topic for Wild fans. Basically, there is a method to the madness — sorta.
Also never asked you what you thought of the Brent Burns advance stories for the series? To me, anytime you get a hockey player talking about the ovulation of snakes, it’s a must-read.
Thought you might find this amusing considering the previous blog. A reader emailed me this Denver Post story. The writer didn’t exactly get the context of what Demitra was saying.
How about Calgary last night rallying from a 3-0 deficit to beat San Jose? Trivia question: When’s the last time the Flames rallied from a 3-0 home deficit to win, and against whom?
63 Responses to "Monday morning update"
When’s the last time the Flames rallied from a 3-0 home deficit to win, and against whom?
you HAD to bring that game up, eh? 
Isn’t it in hockey writing 101 not to become part of the story ;)?
perhaps the don can use his power to find out why NiNY had to miss the 1st period of the game friday and may miss some tonight.
maybe pass along our concerns to one of his contacts?
When’s the last time the Flames rallied from a 3-0 home deficit to win, and against whom?
Yeah, right, like we all don’t know when THAT happened (Nov. 13 vs. Wild)…
thanks for the ‘friendly’ (?) reminder!
G*: wherever did you get the idea that I was put out by that particular development?! 
WRT: I believe you are in error. I think it was the 10/24 game in Calgary.
haha I love how out of context that quote in the denver post is. It makes Demo look like someone who doesn’t quite have all his marbles. Fantastic writing from denver once again…
So if San Jose loses, and the South Stars win, and the Wild win… then the Wild will play the Stars??
The Versus guys on Tv last night said the Flickers had comeback twice this season from a 3 goal deficit. We are all apinfull aware of the Wild game out there but there might have been another instance later in the season with another team. Yeah, I know I’m too lazy, sorry busy, to look it up.
It never ceases to amaze me how a single check can turn a game around. After bloodying up Marleau, it was all Flames.
That Denver article is just plain pricless. Demo going crazy just yelling into empty air, sweet!
Nice work on Burns as well, Mike.
BTW, NiNY has it right (of course).
http://wild.nhl.com/team/app?gameNumber=130&gameType=2&page=Recap&season=20072008&service=page
Wow, Wes Walz was still playing for us then!
ATX:
Assuming Detroit wins, yes.
NiNY: You are correct. It was the 10/24 game in Calgary. The Cows scored 3 in the second, 2 in the third. Ugh.
Hand me the rolled-up newspaper…
OW! OW! OW! 
Hold the phone, looks like the Cows beat the Dogs on February 5 in a SO after being down 3-0.
http://flames.nhl.com/team/app?gameNumber=812&gameType=2&page=Recap&season=20072008&service=page
why can’t directv be like WRT?
G* LOL.
DB, from the last thread … mostly my take is similar to what GreenStar’s impression was.
We all know how good hindsight is. Probably Smith thought he could make a competitive offer to Hunter.
But, I agree, the result was terrible.
WRT: Go forth and err no more, my son.
Thank you mbrose. They mentioned on TV last night it had happened twice before this season, but didn’t goive the games.
Thanks DP.
Russo - Do you know Adrian Dater from the Denver Post? That guy seems to be a complete tool. His blog is crap and his articles are garbage too. He sure makes you look good (and the east side writers for that matter).
I have to say that I have enjoyed reading Tom Powers articles on Fedoruk and Skoula.
Yeah, then there’s Ruesse and Sid who are currently trying to get there year’s quota of ignorant hockey commentary in before game 5. They’re pretty brutal most of the time.
I have to say that I have enjoyed reading Tom Powers articles on Fedoruk and Skoula.
I agree - compare and contrast to what Souhan and Reusse have provided and it ain’t even close on the columnist side.
That has been my point too Adam. Russo is a great writer. Shipley is not bad either.
But, of the rest of non-hockey writers the PP is miles and miles ahead of the Strib. If the PP was delivered to homes in my area I would buy it.
Mike Max was trying to also get on the band wagon last week. Among other things he was trying to be entertaining and mimic Lemaire. I could have puked.
That might have been me he heard yelling “Skooola!” in game two.
AHAHA, the reporter in the Denver Story. What an idiot…I like the first line that Demitra just yelled out “We will prove you wrong” to nobody at all. Wow. And thanks Russo for bring that game up
I must immodestly point out that a really insightful poster was already discussing last October’s Wild-Calgary game in the previous post, about 11:55 last night!
If you see highlights of that game, it all hinged on Sarich’s hit on Marleau late in the 1st period. It totally changed the tone of the game, and if the Cows go on to win, it will be remembered as the turning point of the series.
On SI’s NHL rumors it claims that the Rangers might make a run at Rolston.
Upon further review, the post was at 12:54 a.m. this morning.
If you see highlights of that game, it all hinged on Sarich’s hit on Marleau late in the 1st period. It totally changed the tone of the game, and if the Cows go on to win, it will be remembered as the turning point of the series.
And the beginning of the end to another Sharks season. When you think of all the good Sharks teams over the past 10 years you realize how the cup changes everything I mean how hard it is to win the cup! (note to TC media that think anything short of it means the Wild sucks)
On SI’s NHL rumors it claims that the Rangers might make a run at Rolston.
Name a player over 35 the Rangers don’t take a run at.
Adam, I agree. All we can expect as fans is a really competitive team.
The Cup is a prize. Bad teams cannot win it. But, given all the things that can go wrong against a team including injuries, Sarich type hits, and bad calls, that are the hinges which transform an entire series it is almost a miracle someone is left standing at the end of the tunnel.
You do not need good luck to win a cup but you will never win it if your luck is bad at the wrong time.
I think the Wild has enough talent to be a legitimate cup contender this year. I think they have more than enough grit and saavy.
However, they might get beat by someone just as good, or have a night when their legs are not moving. If the Wild does have more bad luck and lose another key player that would make it difficult indeed.
Russo: Great article. I love learning about the strategy that goes into the coaches making decisions on match-ups and system; the “finer parts” of the game.
I succinctly remember sitting at Van Halen watching my cell phone for updates of the Flames Vs the Wils - and the wild being up 3-0 only to lose 5-3
Long live j00 j00
It bugs me to no end to hear non hockey people talk about how they need to do this or that in the playoffs for this season to be a success. This season was already a success to me. Sure I want them to do well in the playoffs, but I have been entertained all winter and have thouroughly enjoyed the season. Still beats cheering for Columbus, Atlanta, Tampa, or Florida.
Dave, from the last thread, thank you for your sympathy. It’s hard being a hockey fan when the only thing your boss know is, and I’m using his actual words…. “that’s the one they play on ice? Only joking about the ice thing I know that much, but isn’t it rather violent, I mean for girls to like. Not that you can’t like hockey even if it’s violent… umm… I’ll just go away now.” Seriously, if it’s not about football the guy has no clue, and the guy I share an office with is just as bad. I’m alone in a sea of football fans, and to make it worse the one I share an office with is a Packer fan, a bonifide cheese head….
ouch, band, that stinks (and not just the cheese part).
There’s a game tonight??? 
This season was already a success to me.
With no Schultz and no Foster I tend to agree. I mean, the two non playoff teams in the division were eliminated from the playoffs in their second to last game!
TV question…is today’s game going to be on KSTC or VS in the twin cities?
thanks!
Burns Wears Lipstick
Yes Nick it does stink. I don’t think the people I work with understand why I like hockey. Of course I don’t have clue as to what they like about football so I guess we are even.
My sympathies again, Bandgeek. I wonder why more people who are huge football fans don’t get into hockey. It seems like a natural transition to me. To paraphrase George Carlin, “Hockey consists of two activities: skating, and beating the sh!t out of somebody.”
Nice work Dave. Might be the first Carlin quote I have seen on here.
Ugh, 8 hours to game time…. Gonna need a nap to make it through…
I agree with the general sentiment here that the season has been a good one, winning the division and all (and IMO two of the most exciting reg season games ever), and that SCP are hard, the west is loaded with good teams and not winning the cup doesn’t mean you suck.
I do think, howver, that it is important for the future of the franchise that they get out of the first round (which I think they will). It will help not only in convincing players like Gabby, Rolston and Demo to stay (and it doesn’t seem to me to be impossible to keep all three) but in attracting other quality free agents during the offseason.
Just to be clear I don’t think it will be a disaster by any means, I think this team has a great young core (Koivu, Burns, Schultz, Sheppard, Gilles, ?PMB) to build around with or without Gabby (though I prefer with!). But it would be nice to see them take that next step this year.
Gotta love George Carlin! I used to babysit the neighbor kid a lot back when he was Mr. Conductor on Shining Time Station (is that even on anymore?). If I remember right he took over for Ringo Star. I loved that show because if she wasn’t watching that she was watching Telli Tubbies and those are the Devil, evil evil TV tummy freaks.
I’m glad we finally have a banner to hang in the rafters.
I agree Bandgeek on the TeliTubbies being evil thing. When I babysit in High School I would watch almost anything the kids wanted as far as kiddie shows went but I drew a hard line at TeliTubbies, Barney (that purple dinosaur needs to go away) and Power Rangers.
As far as some of the previous discussion on players sucking up the pain and playing injured because it is the playoffs, I hope you were all joking. I know the playoffs bring a different level to the game but to continually play injured could lead to long term consequences and making a simple injure much worse. What could have been a simple to treat, back to play much quicker injury could turn into weeks to months of rehab because instead of a sprain, you could completely tear something. Sorry just me coming from a medical background (animal medicine but still the same concepts). Look at Manny, his knee was mistreated and played on too long and he ended up missing all season because he completely tore ligaments instead of just the original partial tears.
As much as Radio is playing well, we don’t need a sprained knee (just an example, I have no clue what is actually wrong) turning into a MCL or ACL partial or complete tear the needs surgery and weeks of rehab to fix.
It isn’t about sucking up the pain sometimes. OK, girly rant over.
A few things…
So far I’d say this season has been… “mixed”. They never really went on any good, prolonged rolls, though they did seem to crank it up a notch just in time at the end of the season. The injuries at the blue line have been a damper, but continuing to play gutsy hockey in the postseason will erase many of the less-than-special memories from this season.
The Sharks… ooooh boy. I was watching with the Sharks contingent last night. They were nonplussed, for good reason. They need to really bounce back next game or it’s probably good night Sharkies.
TV: VS is doing a fine job, IMO. I have my doubts about hockey being a major sport the way basketball - football - baseball are, and I don’t really care. I agree that it’s frustrating for CI folks like myself that are unable to get the game in its entirety–which I think they should–but I think that’s not really VS’s fault as much as the overall way they put these playoff broadcast agreements together. It always seems to be a mess, especially in the first round.
Greg, totally agree about that Dater..absolute tool..well if the Wild posters follow my lead and stop posting there, Dater will just have 2 other guys to keep him company.
SJ, textbook collapse, they went into prevent mode but failed to do the prevent part (plus no offense, no hitting, etc)…SJ always craps out in the play-offs no matter how good they are in the regular season but I want these guys to beat on each other. So far it’s just CGY doing it to the Sharks..shark bait who hah hah!
My sympathy also Bandgeek.
You are correct KGopher. The pain is there for a reason. Some, maybe you can play without further consequence. Other you take a terrible injury and make it worse.
Unfortunately tonights tilt is on 45 which for who knows why does not have HD which sucks.
what? do they re-shuffle after round one? I thought DTW/Nshvl played Dallas/Ducks and we (assuming win) get Clgy/SJ winner no matter what. Sorry for ignorance; thx in advance for clarification
After first round, next playoff series are reseeded according to which seeds are left (highest left playes lowest left; two middles play. If the Wild can beat the Avs and Sharks and/or Dead Wings lose in round one; Wild will host round two.
I was told by a friend in Dallas that if we play the Stars, he will get me tickets to one game down there. Go Wild. ATX, now I wish I had asked you to DVR the game (but then we would have lost, I guess). Must have been fun on Fri.
I hear that Hartman is going to play a taped interview with The Don in about 15-20 minutes.
I woke up in a cold sweat last night after watching that Calgary / SJ game, the last flashes of a red flavored nightmare just emptying from my mind. Had to sleep with the light on after that….If there is something on this Earth more terrifying than the C of Red, I do not want to encounter it in this lifetime.
yeah yeah yeah, the X is great and all, and we’re awfully awfully loud, sure, but the Pengrowth Saddledome is Dante’s little known and seldom talked about 10th Circle of Hell.
food
Really jacked up for this game tonite. Time to knock some heads and punch the Avs in the mouth. This team is resilient and I think they may be something special. LOVE playoff hockey…
BTW: Best Pregame Spot is Shamrocks Irish Nook located down West 7th. Best burgers in the Twin Cities, lots of cold beer on tap, vibrant place, and then a free shuttle to the X…Does it get any better than this???
So my luck just got way worse. I am pretty sure I will not be able to watch any more playoff hockey. I have been told that our new schedule will run from 8am to 10pm Monday through Saturday. This is not good news. Granted it’s only for three weeks (tentatively), but I am going to miss a ton of games. Seriously, sometimes I question my desire to work in the game industry. Ugh.
That’s hilarious that the writer heard Demitra saying that…he was talking to Russo about his prediction (Avs in 6).
