Calm down everybody
Posted on April 15th, 2008 – 11:43 AMBy Michael Russo
Not a lot of time to blog right now because I want to walk to the rink and soak in this weather. And I’m dragging. I actually watched the entire replay of the game last night on Altitude — AND — the postgame show, meaning 3 a.m. my eyes shut.
Don’t expect tons of info on here later because I have a feeling it’ll be slim pickings at the Wild skate.
First of all, I can’t believe you’re letting that Denver Post column get to you.
When an article is so absurd and based on such little facts, to me, it’s almost comical, so calm down. Obviously the writer doesn’t know hockey. Obviously the writer doesn’t watch playoff hockey. Obviously the writer hasn’t watched the Calgary-San Jose series. Obviously the writer has never heard of the Broad Street Bullies. Obviously the writer doesn’t know the Wild’s makeup. Obviously the writer doesn’t know the Wild has actually been unbelievably tame this series and should get more physical. And obviously the writer has never talked to or met Jacques Lemaire in his life.
It’s a typical opinionated column based on zero facts whatsoever. Completely manufactured, no truth. Get it. Forget about it.
I’m not into ripping other writers. But at some point here in Denver, the Avs jerseys should come off and impartiality and professionalism should trickle back into the business.
I’m sure I’ll be regretting that line later today, but I’ve bit my tongue all series.
Ok, onward.
That might have been the best road game I’ve seen the Wild play.
As expected in the first game in an opposing building, the Wild had to weather a furious storm in the first seven or eight minutes. It was kind of like what Colorado had to do in Game 1 in St. Paul.
But after the Wild killed off the second set of back-to-back minors of the game early in the second, it dominated the rest of the game in my opinion. At one point in the second, it was outshooting Colorado 11-1.
And Colorado’s shoddy play at times is exactly why I wrote in my scouting report for this series that no Avs lead is ever safe. In other words, you can rally on them, just like the Wild has done for three games in a row.
I mean, at one point in the second, the Wild walked in alone on Jose Theodore four times — once by Pavol Demitra, twice by Brent Burns, once by Todd Fedoruk.
Right now the series is all about the third period and the fact the Wild has outscored the Avs 6-2. Overtime wasn’t even close. If it weren’t for Theodore, the Wild could have won that game three other times before Jeff Finger took a weird route to that icing, thus costing Colorado the game.
Other thoughts:
– What if Marian Gaborik actually goes off at some point (nine shots yesterday)?
– What is Paul Stastny shows up for this series?
– Brian Rolston and Mikko Koivu have been the Wild’s best players. Rolston has been on the ice for seven of eight goals in the series, and Koivu — who is a genuine Avalanche killer if you look at his career numbers — has three tallies.
– The Wild’s defensemen are playing tremendously, especially the big-minute guys. So far, you’ve seen Good Skoula. Very good Skoula.
– I realized last night that Peter Forsberg has so many feet problems because he flops to the ice on every hit and then locks his feet around the opposing player. At some point that should be an unsportsmanlike.
– Tonight’s a huge game. Does the Wild take advantage of an aged, banged-up Colorado team or does it let down like it often does when it can go for the kill?
If you’ve paid any attention to the Wild this season, you know it has a tendency to let down when things are going well. Does it lay it all out on the ice tonight or does it allow what’s bound to be a fired-up Colorado squad control play?
We will see. More later.
80 Responses to "Calm down everybody"
Hope to get a new crew of ref’s for tonight, or is that like trading a head ache for a stomach ache?
If you’ve paid any attention to the Wild this season, you know it has a tendency to let down when things are going well?
this is a good point but i think they exercised that demon with their play the last couple weeks of the season especially beating calgary to clinch.
Russo dear, You’re telling us to calm down? You’re the one going on and on about “Obviously the writer doesn’t know…”.
AWESOME ARTICLES! KEEP ‘EM COMING! Hey, any chance we can get a video and photo crew behind the scene’s on the next road trip like the canucks did one trip? That was interesting! Clips or photo’s of the plane ride. What the guys do all day to keep busy????
i have always been of the opinion that a single set of ref’s should be assigned to each series and do every game. my thinking is it would create consistency of calls throughout the series, not just a game. what is a hook in game one should be a hook in game 4.
Great stuff as usual Russo. Thanks for commentary.
I was amused by Kiszla AND calm..so got ya covered Don Russo! getting your coffee ready too…I hope!
I hate floppy, which is why i sparred with kj when trade time loomed..I didn’t want him here because the guy is a punk, ok a talented punk…but still a punk.
Green*…assigning the same refs would only show that the only thing consistent about officiating is it’s inconsistency.
Russo…Kiszla riled me up about as much as Lemming Mike did. 2 words: Consider the source. 
Didn’t pay it much mind, Don. See my 9:54am.
…but c’mon. It’s GAME 4. I am NOT calming down for this one.
One thing I found interesting is that before the game a lot of people were concerned with the altitude affecting the Wild players. IMO the Avs seemed more tired.
Kiszla’s article would be a good satire except for the fact he actually believes it! The guy is a clown and is not to be taken seriously, he has a track record, do a little looking in 03 Archives!
Thanks Russo.
kj,
LMAO, “2 words: Consider the source.”
If that’s a Rez Dogs pull, that’s frickin Top Shelf!!
I got two words fo ya: Learn to F@#$n’ type!”
Russo, I don’t think people were worked up over Kizsla as much as they were amazed. Little more than a gawker slowdown. 
This is still absolutely embarrassing that that Denver newspaper would actually post something like that. If ANYTHING, put it in the Opinion section.
G*,
<imy thinking is it would create consistency of calls throughout the series, not just a game. what is a hook in game one should be a hook in game 4.
Here’s the other thing too. The damn league is just as inconsistent as the refs. That’s one helluva combo platter.
– I realized last night that Peter Forsberg has so many feet problems because he flops to the ice on every hit and then locks his feet around the opposing player. At some point that should be an unsportsmanlike.
D&D brought up Floppa’s propensity to pull people down with him when he falls or gets knocked down. I like how Hill just went down and turned it into matching minors.
fwiw, Avalanche fans don’t pay any attention to Kizlsa.
Wow, Russo. That’s quite the acute rip and I couldn’t agree more! You really put yourself out there. Maybe you should take Simon or Boogie up to the press box with you tonight?
russo’d be more than a match for any of the pansies in the pressbox!
Anybody know “Army of Darkness”?
Now I swear the next one of you primates even touches me…
or for when Cooke/Burrows/Lappy come to town…
That’s it, go ahead and run! Run home and cry to mama!
Jim Carr here.
One other thing to note, unless Russo is not considering a goalie a ‘player’ in his post, Backstrom has been lights out. Easily one of the best 3 on the ice at all times!
This one has slipped the radar of most opinions when it comes to the question of who must be signed this summer. Backstrom only has one year remaining. Wouldn’t that put him in the same category as Gabby (distraction category)?
from the previous thread, does anyone know to what influence the NHLPA has on the in-game arena experience, i.e., music, videos, etc.
Mark Kiszla wrote the infamous “don’t be stupid” column (regarding the Wild’s chances of knocking off the Avs in 2003).
He wrote a (relatively) tame column last week. I think Wild fans were just waiting for him to unleash the full fury of his ignorance. Now that he’s done it, they’re (okay, we’re) letting him have it with both barrels. And can you honestly say that someone who’s been writing this type of thing for at least six years doesn’t deserve it???
The Wild have been playing more like champions, not being deflated, keeping their composure, etc..now let’s see(as the Don alluded to) if they have some SC champion material by going for the kill tonight…I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen so far.
Joey, yep I know the line and like Bruce Campbell..he had a recurring role in Xena Warrior Princess too and I liked his charcter in there as well.
This one has slipped the radar of most opinions when it comes to the question of who must be signed this summer. Backstrom only has one year remaining. Wouldn’t that put him in the same category as Gabby (distraction category)?
The real question is: Is Backstrom irreplaceable? That is, can Harding take us deep into the playoffs?
There’s no question that Backstrom is a huge piece of our success, but I think that how deep we go in the playoffs and how he plays will determine his value more than anything. And unless Backstrom is going to be a $6M per year goalie, I don’t see him in the same class as Gabby.
Russo-
Perfect - to call for calm and reason. Why the good folks of Russoville would read/listen to any other source besides you would be absurb.
You rock! Thanks for the updates.
I hope you stay caffienated.
phil - check out Burn Notice, going into reruns soon on USA Network. Bruce plays a washed up Navy Seal and former spy. Great role for him if you ask me; Sam is an awesome combo of comedy, action and drama.
Obviously im rooting for a Wild win tonight, it would be quite excellent to be at the Clincher, haven’t been to one of those since ‘03 in Detroit
OK, not very kid friendly, but……..
How about “Walk” by Pantera during/after a Boogy or Fridge smackdown?”
RE!
SPECT!
WALK!
What did you say?!
RE!
SPECT!
WALK!
ARE YOU TALKIN’ TO ME?!
ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?!
AWESOME tune!
Ah! Why do you keep referring to the Wild as if they were one giant conglomeration and yet the Avs get the plural treatment? Simply because their name ends with an “s”?
Wild Nation IS giant, dagg!
i still don’t get why we would have to by russo a cup o joe. he was the one who predicted the avs in six. not us. i think he should have to buy box seat tickets for games 1 and 2 of the 2nd round (hoping we get there. didn’t want to jinx it) and raffle them off to the loyal readers and die hard wild fans. now that’s giving back
bfw, I’m not sure the players union would have any say over the in-game experience. My thought is that if Dallas can do it, there’s no reason for others not to come up with their own stuff. You just have to have someone creative that understands hockey and the flow of the game on the sound board. For my money, the Wild multimedia experience gets a bit scripted and boring. Blasted with music for 6-8 seconds or some screaming movie clip of guys going into battle just doesn’t do anything for me. As soon as play starts up, it’s like air out of a balloon.
It’s bound to be more memorable and enjoyable when the PA can hang a perfect taunt at your opponent (or the refs). All in good fun of course. I’d laugh if it were another team doing it to us.
saudagg, it’s pretty simple.
Nobody is going to write “Avalanche” a hundred times when they can write “Avs”. You just don’t need to abbreviate “Wild”.
And really, not sure what the big deal is?
bfw…Rez Dogs indeed!
Why do you keep referring to the Wild as if they were one giant conglomeration and yet the Avs get the plural treatment?
Simple…
The Wilds is a golf course. Something the Avs shall be doing (with the Nuks) soon enough…
Thanks bfw, now I’m gonna have Pantera rolling around in my head all afternoon. One would think it will help keep me awake though….
If DR doesn’t resign Fridge it will eclipse his mistake of letting Brunette walk away. He has been outstanding.
Nice answer kj
Hey Don,
Now that you’ve rallied the troops against you, any chance you can get a sit down with Gabby to review the video of the Rangers game again? It worked wonders last time….
BNAG
ARE YOU TALKIN’ TO ME?!
ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?!
kj,
Wild is to Stanley Cup as
Avalanche is to golf.
End of story.
this is a good point but i think they exercised that demon with their play the last couple weeks of the season especially beating calgary to clinch.
I also think it’s somewhat mitigated by their stellar performance on the back end of B2Bs this season.
I further think, and I’m not sure how much homerism is involved in this opinion, that they are a different team than the one that found themselves up on the NW by 6 points and then promptly shat the bed (early March, was it?)….they just look more confident or something - well to the extent that they can “look” it through the TV set.
Let’s not pull a Bertuzzi here and tell the Avs to make tee times, remember what happened after Bert uttered those words to the Wild with a 2 goal lead in game 7 of ‘03? Foot to the throat, sweep the leg, or even better the Patrick Swayze ‘Roadhouse’ special, just rip the beating heart right out of your opponent’s chest!
Agreed, NiNY. Particularly in the OT last night there’s a swagger that didn’t previously exist. I feel the win last night could be the turning point in the series for us (much like Sarich’s hit on Marleau seemed to energize the Flames). It just feels like tonight’s game can/should be a good one for the guys (as much as a game can “feel”!).
that they are a different team than the one that found themselves up on the NW by 6 points and then promptly shat the bed (early March, was it?)….they just look more confident or something -
I think coming from behind three straight games is doing wonderful things for this team. If they keep playing like this and get to the WCF, they should be in great shape to knock off whoever they face when they get there. (I assume Detroit or the Cows, since the Cows are playing so well against the Fish.)
If we do go up 3-1, the X has to get a copy of Nazareth ‘Expect No Mercy’ into it’s pre-game play list for game 5!
NiNY,
I, too, can’t necessarily elucidate how a team can “look” more confident through the tele, but I absolutely agree with you.
These guys are close knit, and feed off each other. The fact that they’ve stared adversity in the face, and been able to successfully rally around their fallen comrades (to this point) would also seem to be a galvanizing point.
Foot to the throat, sweep the leg, or even better the Patrick Swayze ‘Roadhouse’ special, just rip the beating heart right out of your opponent’s chest!
…and show it to ‘em!
As much as we have dominated the 3rd and OT so far, it would be nice to see a tally in the first 40 minutes. I’m starting to wear out the edge of the recliner…
Russo,
My brother reads your blog everyday during hockey season and has sinced got me hooked. I like that you have never been one sided. I think it is pretty funny how a sports columnist acts like a second grader making fun of another kids clothing. Didn’t your mother ever teach you manners Kiszla? Your job is to write about the physical aspect of the game not fashion. If you want to write about that I hear Vogue is hiring!
On NHL Live on XM Radio they were talking about Kiszla poor article a little bit and how he missed it by a mile.
They talked about how the series is one of the best being played right now and that there were some bad calls last night. The Voros interference call was dead on, as was the Koivu hook on Smyth.
The problem was they missed a lot of calls against us. The great part was the Wild played an excellent PK and moved forward. They didn’t let that part of the game get in their heads.
Looking forward to game 4 in 8 hours.
Excellent job Russo…way to put Kiszla in his place. Get some “Russo” coffee.
I loved when Hill went down with Floppa. Not only did it get him off the ice for a wide-open 4-on-4 (which is clearly to the Wild’s advantage), but Hill got some good haymakers in on his face too while keeping the gloves on to avoid the major. Rock on, Shawn!
SEAN, rather, oops
I read these two articles back to back… Kettle please allow me to introduce you to pot.
” Nobody is going to write “Avalanche” a hundred times when they can write “Avs”. You just don’t need to abbreviate “Wild”. ”
You also CAN’T abbreviate ‘Wild’, which is just one really annoying thing about the nickname. Not that we can do anything about it now. So instead, a Game Four win would be great.
37 what?
…So I was at the Strib earlier picking up a job app, and I over heard this convo over some coffee:
Don: Mmmm! Goddamn, Sid. This is some serious gourmet shit! Usually, me and #2 would be happy with some freeze-dried Taster’s Choice right, but he springs this serious GOURMET shat on us! What flavor is this?
Sid: Knock it off, Michael.
Don: [pause] What?
Sid: I don’t need you to tell me how f@#$%^g good my coffee is, okay? I’m the one who buys it. I know how good it is. When Reusse goes shopping he buys SHAT. I buy the gourmet expensive stuff because when I drink it I want to taste it.
True story.
build, you sure youwanna work at the Strib?…they’re kinda in slash and burn mode now
bfw, is that a pull from Pulp Fiction? Nice work.
Sorry - I read the Denver post article and followed it up with the Strib article on the Aves 4th line. Amazingly the Strib article had quotes very similar to what Mr. Kiszla was ripping the Wild for.
bfw, is that a pull from Pulp Fiction? Nice work.
Winner!
doogs, please take a prize of your choice of of the top two shelves only. lol
bfw, nicely done.
Winner is you! All your base are belong to us!
well done boys, both the club and the writer. very enjoyable efforts from both. and both seem to be enjoying playoff hockey. what a great time of the year, it is melting out and heating up on the rink.
I share the same cautiousness as the Don. We’re awfully giddy for being up only 2-1 on two OT winners. Maybe it’s just the MN in me. Fortunately, if the players’ reactions in the room last night were any indication, they know they have a lot of work to do. I’ve been very impressed with how they’re handling themselves, especially last night - very low key, workmen-like in the interviews I saw.
To continue on bfw’s true story…
Don: But Sid, it’s Kopi Luwak…
Sid: Yup, the finest coffee money can buy.
Don: I’ll stick to my sugar-free hazelnut, nonfat latte. You know how they make Kopi Luwak, right?
Sid: Yup, the finest coffee money can buy.
Don: (Hands Sid paper from internet explaining the process of harvesting Kopi Luwak)
Sid: You’ve got to be sh!tting me!
Don: Nope, the cats beat me to it!
I don’t know who brought it up earlier, but it was a good point. The correct way to abbreviate it is “the Av”. No plural.
I read these two articles back to back… Kettle please allow me to introduce you to pot.
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/17693979.html
I see no Slovering in that article, nor any badmouthing of the Avs. Further, I’ve never heard of that writer before and the byline is “Special to the Strib” indicating that he’s probably a writer for another paper. :confused: as to what your issue is with that.
VoR wrote:
“The real question is: Is Backstrom irreplaceable? That is, can Harding take us deep into the playoffs?”
My take: No, and No, not yet.
I think the earlier question is valid - should they be looking to extend him this summer? He was outstanding if not spectacular last night, and the guys on Vs were finally taking note.
Speaking of those “experts” at Vs, the guys doing the game babbled about Koivu “only” having 11 goals in the regular season because of the Wild’s “style of play”. Morons. No mention of 20+ games - with a broken leg!
After the game, and following the 3rd intermission Sakic lovefest, Brian Engblom (Av’s broadcaster during the season, I believe) was raving about “Brent Burns” tying goal. Not sure which is worse, Vs or the Alt feed. It’s tough on us west coast wild fans (although the gametimes are nice!).
are you sure toivo?
I thought the proper way was ‘Old’…
VoR, I think he was pointing out that straight from the Avs players’ mouths were words saying they are trying to do exactly what the other dude was whining about the Wild doing.
So, when they do it, its ok, when someone else does it to them it’s the end of civilized society.
Oh jeez, I just finally got around to reading that article. Good stuff.
lol @ kj.
toivo, glad you remembered that during game two.
That was me makin’ a run at our friend Avs Own Wild, er, Av Own Wild, errrr…NO THEY DON”T
Anyway, I must have cracked the AvHole upside the head w/some hard core smack from the top rope! Ohh yeaaah!!
More food!
kj: that works too
Didn’t have time to read a whole lot, what’s the deal with that Denver Post column?
BUILD FROM WITHIN. YOU AROUND LATER? I HEARD ITS KOOL AID TIME TONIGHT, AND IM BACK FROM RUSSIA!!!
There is still A LOT of hockey left in this playoff series, and the AVS are a talented team. I’m a bit worried that everyone seems to think this is a done deal for the Wild. They still need to win 2 more games!
Kiszla should write a book. It’d be very Hunter Thompson-like. Call it delusional comedy. His Post article cracked me up. A friend of mine in the Denver area says this guy is someone who writes to “stir the pot”. Well, he stirred it and he’s lovin it. More importantly, he is a moron. Even more importantly, LETS PLAY HOCKEY! COME ON GAME 4! DROP THE PUCK!
Burns still wears Lipstick
I think the Wild should embrace the bullies mantra… And unleash the full fury of this roster on the Avs ancient roster…
And really, The audacity of some idiot in Denver trying tell Minnesota how to play hockey? This is the state of hockey…
