Wild 4, Boston Bruins 3
Posted on October 11th, 2008 – 7:02 PMBy Michael Russo
Here’s the Wild game story with quotes. It just added to the startribune.com/wild page.
We were again psyched out by Jacques Lemaire. Unfortunately I figured it out over dinner two hours ago and not this morning when I said to myself, “How do you scratch Boogaard in front of an amped crowd? I wonder if Weller’s the guy?”
Yup, Craig Weller did not make his Wild debut tonight.
However, everybody else that made their debuts played huge roles in the offense.
Marc-Andre Bergeron became the first Wild defenseman to score in his debut since Kurtis Foster scored twice vs. Nashville on Nov. 19, 2005. Antti Miettinen scored a great goal by driving the net and redirecting Andrew Brunette’s pinpoint pass.
Colton Gillies, 19, had his first NHL point. He’s a mere 807 points behind Owen Nolan, who had an assist.
“Did you guys hear me from the ice? Oh man, I was definitely screaming,” Gillies said of his assist to Eric Belanger, the first of two Belanger goals.
After the game, Nolan also told a relieved Gillies to cherish every game because it goes by quick.
Wild obviously got off to an extremely slow start tonight, predictable after not playing for six days. It dominated the second during a three-goal period. And I thought they were terrible in the third. I mean, it took them 10 minutes to get a shot, but predictably, Jacques Lemaire liked the third period better than any other.
You’ve got to love Jacques.
“I didn’t like the game that much,” Lemaire said. “I know we’ll play better than we did tonight. It’s always great to win, but you have to know that there’s certain things you’ll have to do in the future if you want to keep winning. One, play the style game we want, which is moving the puck quick and try to play in their zone more than our zone, not turning the puck over, which we did the whole first period.”
Bergeron showed off his big shot tonight, but man, defensively, he might be the best thing that ever happened to Martin Skoula in Minnesota. Sometimes Bergeron is downright scary defensively, and Lemaire joked he’s going to be exciting “both sides.”
Amazingly, Lemaire didn’t change the lines at all tonight. How about that, eh?
Belanger was tremendous. He brushed off a pair of high-sticks to score the first and fourth goals (the eventual winner after Marc Savard scored twice in the third). Remember, Belanger got off to a fast start last year before drying up in the second half. But Belanger had a great training camp and looks intent on proving the naysayers wrong.
Brian Stensaas plans a Belanger feature for Monday’s paper (subject to change depending on Sunday’s practice).
Niklas Backstrom made 34 saves to improve to 53-15-10 in his last 78 decisions. He admitted he was fighting the puck bigtime early, even though he made six saves to kill a double minor early in the first. He said standing around during the pregame division title banner-raising really affected him.
Speaking of the banner raising, of the guys playing, the loudest cheers went to Brent Burns and Mikko Koivu. But Kurtis Foster got a rousing applause when the injured defenseman, who broke his leg last year, was introduced while standing on the bench.
Craig Weller didn’t get a chance to debut. He was scratched, and last week I was chatting with Lemaire in Columbus, and he said the coaches were really trying to work with Weller because he wasn’t doing things the way they wanted on the ice.
Other notes: It was Belanger’s sixth multi-goal game.
Bouchard’s two assists made for his 46th multi-point game. The Wild is 40-5-1 when he has at least two points.
The Wild is 7-0-1 all-time in home openers, including seven wins in a row.
That’s it from here. Stencils has the next two days, so he’ll be a blogging fool. I’ll talk to you Monday or Tuesday from Atlanta.
245 Responses to "Wild 4, Boston Bruins 3"
Boogs playing, nice!
Stensaas…that’s priceless.
Woo! Wild Hockey!! Can Boogie crush someone please?
Damn, Weller was scratched… that’s disappointing… I was looking forward to seeing him destroy people…
Sorry… darn…
Just a reminder, center ice is free for those of us outside the mpls/st paul area.
And those w/in, but you get to see all the Wild games anyways
Boooooogggiiieee!!!!
I am a very happy Bandgeek. Hockey, Boogie, and ice cream in the freezer… yippie!!
Who’s in net in the Caps/Hawks game? These teams are fun to watch. Ohh! Only ten minutes to go!
soot. 13 minutes to go. Box full of load guys booing so Boston fans. Going to be a good night
It makes sense that Boogie would be in. What would you gain by having Weller in the game
Khabi and Theodore
I thought Khabi was placed on waivers…
Oh well… It’s Wild hockey time!!
Oh yay, Dumb and Dumber.
Have these (expletive deleted) (expletive deleted) morons talked through the banner raising? You’ve got to be shizzin’ me!!!
Center Ice = No banner raising 4 me 
He was but he’s playing tonight. A team can keep a guy for 30 days after being sent down or something like that.
If Boogy makes an impact you can bet that Chara might fight Boogy
He was but he’s playing tonight. A team can keep a guy for 30 days after being sent down or something like that.
huh… I did not know that… Thanks sunshine.
GO WILD!! WOOOO!!
Apparently only those in the X rate getting to see the banner raising. Mother smurfers.
Chara vs. Boogey….ooohh. That’s a sight to see.
MKIA, I would love to see Chara and Boogs go at it…
It’s the friggin’ home opener, show the friggin player intro’s, the national anthem and the friggin banner ceremony!! Who do I e-mail my complaint to about this one?
Hey I saw the banner! Cool!
I’ve seen at least 3 other teams show all the stuff before hand. I am extremely pissed at FSN right now.
BANDGEEK ANGRY!!! BANDGEEK SMASH!!!
** taking deep breaths**
Happy place happy place, Boogie, Boogie Boogie, Happy place, Burnsie shirtless…..mmmmmm Burnsie shirtless…
Better but still pissed about the broadcast. These people seriously need better producers. And I’m serious who do I complain to about this?
Bandgeek, don’t be angry. It’s Wild hockey!!!!!!
Burnsie double minor… that’s no good.
I’m better now the puck has dropped WATX, just very upset about the broadcast. I mean, we are the State of Hockey.
Also… dang it Burnsie! Double minor! Really?
Wow, Skoula lookd real good on that last bit there. Way to get in the way skooba!
What would you gain by having Weller in the game? Thats easy… production. No offense meant to Boogie…
Mr just said… “huh, Kessel? Isn’t he the one that was so dedicated to the game he gave his left nut to keep playing?” Crass, but funny.
Nice PK boys!!
Stupid satellite is being interrupted by the thunderstorm!!!!! NNOOOOOOOOO!
paulr, that is why cable>dish…
This sucks.. I missed the first 8 minutes of the game…
Yeah… I agree… unfortunately the rest of the household does not… ugh…
That is teh suck…
Damn!
Stupid Phil Kessel…
Arrrggghhhhhh!!!!!
At least it wasn’t more stupid Blake Wheeler…
… man I hate that guy…
Woot PP time! Lets go boys!
Wow, Colton is prety big, and what a burst of speed there too. I want him to score, like now.
who am I? “Toot toot…I love to toot my own horn”
you’re right if you figured it out over dinner two hours ago.
Who’s #2?
[…] Random Feed wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptWild vs. Bruins; Boogaard IN; Gaborik wearing an ‘A’ Posted on October 11th, 2008 – 7:02 PM By Michael Russo Live from the Xcel Energy Center press box, where a banner-raising is about to take place and Patrick Reusse is busy punching out his early column. I have a feeling he’s going to make Nordy cry tomorrow. Great line from “Stencils” Stensaas (pronounced StenSAHS by the way). On our new banner atop startribune.com/wild, Stensaas points out that the four guys we illustrate up there in orde […]
Reitz is #2, and yes he’s without his helmet.
Ahhh I see. Thanks BG!
I hate Fernandez too… Boston is boasting a hated lineup… almost like Anaheim… but not quite as much…
Sweet. Another PP chance.
Really I just think its funny to say pp.
Just like to point out that Butch drove the net there… Let me repeat that… Butch Drove The Net.
Belanger!!!!!
Wooooo!!!! Goooooaaall!! Bella!
Gilles 1st NHL point…
Woooooo!! Bella!
SO does Gilles have a nickname yet?
Well, he didn’t score like I asked, but he did get a point!
Habs up on Leafs 6 - 1.
Dunno… Gills? I dunno…
paulr, I just suggested gills to the wife… it could work.
And LOL Leafs Owned.
Actually that should read… LOL Trontowned!
Most hockey nick names have that ie… y… type ending, so Gillies may never get a true nick name. Who knows what they call him in the locker room.
So much for planning that Leafs parade 
I do like Gills however.
Leipold looks like Peter Griffin…
ATX, yep a little. All he needs is a dog named Brian.
“Who’s leg do you gotta hump to get a dry martini around here?”
I am 99% sure the reason why Gaborik has not signed with the Wild is because he feels his linemates dont have the offensive aptitude to compliment his skills. He is wondering if DRs sales pitch about how he can get high numbers with this roster is possible or not.
I dont think that the Wild have any real creative playmaking centers on the roster. I am watching the game looking for linemates that can get in sync with him. It is very frustrating for a creative offensive player like Gaborik to play a shift without a player that he can get in sync with
Haha… Peter…
I think we have already seen enough from Bergeron….at least I have. Hopefully Zidlicky will be back soon. Bergeron could be the Wild’s Mike Lamb.
At least Hill and Carnery are gone…
So do we go with Gills for now? HAHAHA… or “Fish” because fish have gills…
Thats the second stick to the face for Bella tonight. Poor mans gonna look like Walz in mid-season form by the end of the night, visor or not.
Wooo! MAB!
Bergeron?
Wooo Queen MAB!!!!
That thing was a rocket.
Oh and Marty S, you need help prying that foot out of your mouth?
Although Bergeron cannot handle the puck he does have a bomb. Sieve #2 for Manny in my opinion.
Nice reverse jinx, eh?
Yeah Marty S. … ouch… hey… say something bad about Gilles… we want to see him score…
Yeah nice work Marty S!
Bandgeek, your Boogie man on a 2 -on-1! I was hoping he would get the pass and bury it!
I have to admit… I’m a little disappointed Weller wasn’t playing… I was anxious to see him paly… and did anyone catch Greenlay’s burn of Boogie?
Woo! It’s getting nasty, I love it! Mittens has got some skillz with the stick!
Me too ATX!! The dog was scared when I started jumping up and down yelling for him. My Boogie, he’ll score this year, I feel it in my bones…. that could be the rain on the bad knee however.
It is nice to see the Boogster logging more than 2:00 of ice time here…
Greenlay’s a tool. He’d never be mean to Boogie to his face, to afraid he’ll get pounded.
Mittens!!!!
MITTENS!!!!!!!!!
Mittens… the new guys are having themselves a time… and if you read lips his celebratory phrase is “Booya”…
This Gillies dude can’t skate. He doesn’t have enough talent to play with talent alone. Who is going to be a bigger bust Gillies or Thelen? He’s a poor man’s Aaron Voros.
Hope that helps ; )
I agree… the announce team needs a re-tooling…
and if you read lips his celebratory phrase is “Booya”…
LOL! That’s awesome!
LOL Marty S. that should do!
Poor man’s Aaron Voros… thats good! Still LOLing at that…
Butch to BELLA FTW!!!
Bella #2… and Boston is falling out of the hunt rapidly…
BELLA!!!!!
What’s the over/under on a Bella Hattrick??
Where is NiNY btw??
Great 2 goals by Bella!!!!
Fernandez’s floppity play is still good for us… sieve sieve SIEVE!!!
No clue where Nick is, he said the bar was open and even named some opening night specials, but other wise nothing. Didn’t he say a few days ago he was traveling for work?
Hmm.. perhaps BG. I am so damn happy that hockey is back on tv. I have my beer in hand and my Boogie shirt on… I am a happy unemployed man right now.
I gotta pick a new favorite player… my old one is gone… need a name to put on a jersey…
Still no luck ATX? That sucks, I feel ya. I’m at more under employed than unemployed. I couldn’t wear my Boogie shirt. I wore it a few days ago to cheer me up while I was pricing Christmas merch at the p.t.j. and got glitter all over it. Haven’t had time to do laundry since then.
I’m wearing my PMB jersey right now.
Wait!!! ATX, if your still unemployed does that make WATX your sugar momma? Don’t let the Mr know that, he’ll wonder why I’m not supportin’ him like that.
I got the red throwback Radio jersey on… yes Radio was my favorite… scoff if you will… I have a new white jersey waiting for a new name though…
paulr, get a jersey with “Mittens” on the back. That would be awesome.
Yeah Bandgeek, I don’t want to work retail or anything like that really… and unfortunately this is probably the worst time to be looking for a decent job… stupid recession.
Yeah BG, WiATX is my sugar mamma! I am house dad to our dog 
Mittens… #20 That’d be chuckleworthy haha…
Ugh… they still do the stupid FaceOff segment? That sucks.
I’ve always been his sugar mama. That was sort of understood when we got married, I think.
and paulr, I liked Radio too.
Shep looks very good
MKiA, that is the smartest thing you have ever said.
Glad I wasn’t the only one… haha… though sometimes it seemed like it…
I wonder if Nordy has been spotted at the X by any of the regulars?
Who is this new dude interviewing the players?
Ugh… not a fan of Nordy… no offense to anyone who is…
Normally at my p.t.j. I give tours but they are nice and gave me some hours in the gift shop since our usual gift shop person is on maternity leave. So I don’t really count it as retail.
Not many around here are paulr. He has a freaking mullet for pete’s sake!
Tours can be fun. I should just get something part time somewhere. I am waiting for the Dallas Stars minor league team to open up down here in Austin so I can get me a job up there. That would be awesome.
Face off = suck fest
havent seen the mascot
and it is hotter than two rats effing in a wool sock in here tonight
Tours can be fun ATX. I’ve learned more MN history workin’ the p.t.j. than I ever did in school.
Working for the Stars minor league team does sound like fun.
I hope our boys play as well in the 3rd as they did in the 2nd.
So it’s hot there then, eh G*?
And LOL @ G*
Nordy sucks… mullets… in my opinion… never look good. But there are places where mullet tradition makes them tolerable: Exhibit A: Barry Melrose’s head…
Melrose and Mullets are like cheese and crackers… all good.
Still waiting for Boogie to destroy Blake Wheeler…
Brian Engblom cut his mullet. Melrose wouldn’t be Melrose without a mullet.
I saw a picture of Boogie over the summer, he’d let his hair grow out a bit and it was all curly. I feel the need to giggle like a little girl now. ….. Ok, I’m better now.
Haha, Burnsie getting his ass kicked!
Yeah… I saw Engblom… it was tragic and no words were needed.
Anyone else not thrilled to see Burnsie in a pretzel with his neighborhood tool? Is that why he needed elbow surgery right before camp. I’d rather see him player checkers in the off season.
I think he needed surgery from Boxing. I think it’s cool that he does that stuff, but it is a little bit dangerous for his health.
Wow… Gabby just dished to Boogie.. That was awesome.
Boogie, almost again. My Boogie needs a goal.
3 guys on him and Koivu keeps going and makes a play… thats what we need all season…
I still keep thinking Shep is #15…
Koivu is the man.
Does anyone else think it’s weird that all the lines for the Wild have stayed the same for pretty much the entire game? It’s so new and different!
uh oh
Poop.
Hmmm… That sucks… it’s okay though, we are still up by two. Keep it going boys.
Burnsie you gotta take Savard on that…
Iginla just kicked willies a#@
paul, I consistently think 15 is Shep. And I keep asking who 51 is.
I keep thinking Shepp is 15 also. It’ll take a while to get used to Bruno being back and Shepp’s number changing even though Shepp only had that number for a year.
Iggy does that from time to time… he excels at the asskickery.
Hah hah, Wheeler fanned on it.
Choke Wheeler CHOKE!!!!
Can’t stand Wheeler
I’m sensing you have a problem with Wheeler.
What is your problem with him anyway paul?
Little… I’m know Joe Finley and so am a NoDak fan… please be gentle…
Its been a pretty strong game.
must be a souix fan
I figured that was it. It’s okay I am not really a fan of college hockey.
I don’t want him to get hurt or anything… just get tossed around by Boogie a bit…
sunshine I agree. The boys do not look bad IMO.
Maybe just a nice black eye, eh paul?
Yeah… let Boogie welcome him to the NHL… in his own way…
Get him Nolan!!
Yeah Nolan… get ‘em…
Nolan tried to chop down the redwood tree that is Chara. Good stuff.
Hehe, nice to see Nolan using that “Irish fire” for us, not against us.
Amen to that bandgeek.
Oh crap… Come on guys. keep it together.
No… Savard stop doing that…
Haha… Nolan is the classic old, gray bearded angry Irishman…
Dangit boys don’t get sloppy now!!!
Wow, not the ending I was hoping for here…
Not good…
I keep speaking too soon.
Bloody H. E. Double Hockey Sticks!!
WooHoo!!
WHEW!! Dodged a bullet on that one! Nice way to open up the season with a mild heart attack there.
Not a clean win, but a win. Got a little sloppy there at the end. Well I gotta get up early tomorrow. Night all. It’s been fun.
G’Night Bandgeek!
yeah. really dodged the bullet. The Wild got a little too lax at the end there.
And what’s with 2 guys sliding on that last goal?
I’ll take the W… Night…
We’ll see you all for more games. Got a laptop now so I don’t have to wait until after the game to discuss it…
And what’s with 2 guys sliding on that last goal?
I said something to the wife about that when it happend. That’s why JL does not like it when guys lay down on the ice to block shots.
Yeah… I’ll take the W anytime
Laptops are key paul. Glad you will be around.
I wonder if JL will be doing some more teaching about not sliding.
If you notice, Lemaire did not change lines much tonight.
good win, glad i was home to see it.
sunshine, absolutly right lines were very consistent
I said that eariler sunshine. I liked it! The wife and I were saying it was nice ot be able to guess who else was on the ice based off of seeing only one player on the screen.
Oh, and damn the Wild are good on opening night!
I have to say that I like these line combos a lot better than last year. Most of them played in the offensive zone for most of the night.
Wow, Rick Nash just blew two breakaways in a row… we will just call him Gabby Jr.
I think I am going to play some vidga games now. G’night all!
Everytime I saw #15, I was thinking why is Sheppard playing with Koivu.
It will take a little time to get use to it.
Darn it, Nash! I need him to score to beat you, ATX.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
So after scoring six the other night, the Canucks have seven shots in 25 minutes.
Which is still a better ratio than the f-ing Penguins.
Are they doing a home and home against the Flames?
Peca suspended indefinitely for physical abuse of officials? What did he do during the Stars game?
Yes they are.
One article I read said he “bumped” a ref, but it sure sounds like more than just a simple bump.
And just like that Vancouver ties the score in about a minute.
I thought it was sweet of the guys (Gillies and Gaborik) to try to feed Boogaard the puck for a goal. It was wasted efforts and loss scoring chances, of course, but its still sweet.
Vancouver might be the team to beat. They are looking very good.
KiPA:
I just checked. What’s wrong with your Pens? 15 shots, are you kidding me? Those are Wild numbers not Pens numbers.
F— if I know. Too goddamned cute with the f—ing puck. Letang gets a glorious chance on a 3-on-2 in OT and frickin passes the thing right into a goddamn Devil and 10 seconds later Parise rips an incredible shot past Fleury who made 47 wasted saves.
(Note: I’m not happy.)
So it’s hot there then
that was before I read you were wearing only a PMB jersey
took a bit for the boys to find their legs tonight. manny let in a few softies, as manny is want to do, then coasted.
owen nolan does in front of the net more than any wild player we’ve had. Our guys used to go to the front and let themselves be pushed around. not owen.
not a good start for MAB. couple of tough first shifts.
Not sure why Reusse took the time to go to the game but the press box will be fine without him until April. I didn’t see Nordy take the ice after the W so so far so good on that for me. Agree on Nolan’s play in front - this is a good sign that MAB and Zids have the chance to be major factors.
Demitra with the OT winner.
Just home from the X…really fun night. I feel for all of you at home that didn’t see the banner ceremony and the accompanying video. That unconscionable that FSN didn’t broadcast that. GoalieGal stayed home tonight and said she was cursing FSN for all of their “ridiculously stupid” (her words) pre-game stuff.
Couple random thoughts…
Puliot had a great backcheck to break up a play and then start something the other way early on. Should have made Jacques happy.
Speaking of Jacques, I saw a cute woman wearing a sweet red Lemaire Habs sweater. Also saw a great Gord Gallant Saints sweater.
Gabby trying to set up Boogy? I think a “Boogaard from Gaborik” goal would be one of the signs of the apocalypse.
Manny won another game for us!
Cullen, Blake, Kessel all score tonight..good night for MN connections.
Just saw Demitra score an OT winner for the Casucks.
Ovechkin had two goals tonight, and it could have been five. Stopped on two breakaways and hit a post. Had 12 shots!
The Wild handed out sweet banner replicas as you left the building tonight. Nice touch.
It’s sooooooo great to be back!
I was at the game and they played very very good in the second period. The entire key to this season will be controlling the puck in to the offensive zone rather than dumping it. Staying aggressive and skating the puck in to the zone is what its all about. If we lack aggressiveness and play dump and chase we will not do well.
Heh, I think the Bella nickname should be scratched in favor of Reggie. He is Mr. October.
That was a great game to watch, wow, especially the last few minutes.
Remember all of the lamenting when Manny was traded?
I thought Gabby played an interesting game. It is sort of like it is not his team anymore, or that his role has changed or he is trying to figure it out. I did think he put in more effort and his pass to Bogey was unselfish.
If Skoula can play like this all year, he will be ok.
So, watching Burns move up the ice like he’s covered in Vaseline and has rockets on his skates… it occurs to me that he needs to be moved back to forward and be Gaby’s speedy partner. He couldn’t finish because nobody else could keep up with him and he was all alone down in the offensive zone. Eh? Good idea right?
Aeros won but didn’t really earn it.
Watching the Wild video. 4-1 now. I think I’ll FF thru the rest. Why stay up this late for the other team’s goals?
Anyway, congrats Wild. Gillies looked as good as I’ve seen him. That face when he got the assist was priceless. I had to RW and watch it again.
Whoever produces the Wild pregame show for FSN should be fired immediately. They had an entire hour and about 15 minutes of it was worthwhile. Maybe. And as has been pointed out numerous times already, they showed a grand total of about 20 seconds of the banner raising ceremony, with no audio. They had an entire hour but couldn’t set aside a measly 5-10 minutes for the introductions and ceremony? Give me a freakin break.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
word.
Good to get the win!
Mittens ‘da man!
I’m begging someone to start tossing mittens on the ice when he scores. I’ll even pony up some cash to buy a couple pairs.
Heh, I think the Bella nickname should be scratched in favor of Reggie. He is Mr. October.
This hadn’t been seconded yet, and it totally deserves to be. Love it!
Ten thoughts about last night:
1. For some unknown reason they didn’t have the blower fans turned up like they normally do at the ‘X’. GreenStar is right, it was very warm in the building last night, especially on the 200-level (closest to the roof, where all the heat goes).
2. What put the fear of the Almighty into Skoula last night? He was actually playing like an NHL defenseman for most of the evening. Maybe upgrading the defense will get rid of Martin S. after all…
3. The in-arena banner ceremony was a well-done mix of video and live action. Too bad those who had to watch FSN North were over-exposed to ‘D&D’er’ and their insipid little ‘bits’ instead.
4. About Eric Belanger: Didn’t we see this last year? A flying start, and then a disasterous finish? Let’s hope history doesn’t repeat itself…
5. Anyone think Gaborik’s efforts were worth $10M/year last night? I didn’t see him as a game-changing force in that contest. Anyone else? (MKia excepted; I’m tired of you.)
6. Maybe Owen Nolan can teach Boogaard a few things about parking himself in front of the net. Then Boogs will get that goal he was screwed out of last season in Edmonton…anyone who is willing to take on Zdeno Chara rates in my book. Hopefully that grit will rub off on the rest of the Wild.
7. Any other opinions about the third period last night? I thought JL’s comments about it were ridiculous. He was happy with that? Playing a hockey version of a preven defense? Anyone ever tell him the only thing a prevent defense does is prevent you from winning? A goal in the 3rd from ‘da boys’ would have made things a lot better.
8. In the ‘Karma’s a bee-otch’ department, how sweet was it that the NY Rangers came in and destroyed Ed Snider’s Sarah Palin campaign stop in Philadelphia by beating the Flyers? TSN.ca has the video of the boo-fest…
9. You know it’s going to be a long season in Toronto. Habs 6, Leafs 1, as the Leafs roll over and play dead in their home opener at the ACC. Enjoy the losing, Leaf Nation.
10. So Pavol Demitra goes out and scores the game winner in OT at the Saddledome vs. the Flames last night. Next game for his old team? At Atlanta, where ol’ Pav decided he’d quit on his mates last season. How long will it be until Pav quits on the ‘Nucks and their fans?
NiNY: That would have been great last night after Belanger scored1
‘Reg-gie! Reg-gie! Reg-gie!’
And how about a charity ‘Mittens for Mittens’ night? That would be fun to see!
WRT: It IS fall, you know, and the Leafs are falling…
Manny won another game for us!
Missed this earlier…another gem! LMAO
I am 99% sure the reason why Gaborik has not signed with the Wild is because he feels his line mates don’t have the offensive aptitude to compliment his skills. He is wondering if DRs Sales pitch about how he can get high numbers with this roster is possible or not.
I don’t think that the Wild have any real creative playmaking centers on the roster. I am watching the game looking for line mates that can get in sync with him.
It is very frustrating for a creative offensive player like Gaborik to play a shift without a player that he can get in sync with. Last year he had Demitra.
I would be surprised if they signed him. This team is built for JL and I am not sure Gabby likes that hockey for the next 8 years or not when players in the Eastern Conference have more freedoms.
Gabby has to play Vancouver- Edmonton- Calgary a bunch of times here, that means his risk for injuries will be higher, and he has to play with a bunch of nonsense
Mister Know it all
First timer, with an opinion of Gaby last night. He looked like he was trying to play himself out of here.
On the goal where two players laid down, if Gaby had been skating and back checking, he might have saved a goal. All he was doing was loafing around, waiting. He was worthless last night.
When Gabby backchecks it’s a bigger event then when he scores.
One further thought on Gabby- The Wild do have PMB, he does not play center but something could be worked out to play him with him Gaborik. Anybody that mentions that to JL. Well
I think the loafing is he is trying not to get hurt
Bergeron is to defensive hockey what Boogaard is to offensive hockey. Holy sh!t is that guy weak on the puck. Big shot from the point but a complete defensive liability. We may have some you-tube moments this year again and not from Skooba. That’s saying something. Also, it’s tragic that the team has Gaby, the team’s most gifted offensive player, on a line with SRV and Shepp. My god, if they want him out of here just trade him already, but as long as he still wears a Wild sweater, it would behoove the team to use him in a way that most benefits the team. Maybe find a guy or two that can actually move the puck and do some things in the offensive zone. SRV is a fantastic cog to this team, but his role is energy, running into the other team’s players and once and while dropping the gloves. Shepp looks like he will be a fine NHLer, but he doesn’t have the speed and/or play making ability at this point to center Gaby. That was terrible last night. I wonder if during those long dinner meetings this summer when Ballgame mapped out his strategery (Dubya accent) for the team that he mentioned to Gaby that he would be playing, bascially on what amounts to a checking 4th line. Awful.
Yeah, I thought Gaby looked stiff and timid last night. Yuck.
on point 5…last night no. but, was ovechkin a game change last year when he was at the X or is vinny or sid a game changer ever time they take the ice? it’s one game.
still doesn’t mean i’d give him 10, just saying.
oh and speaking of #10. no audible boos when introduced which goes against prediction.
The SRV-Shep_Gaby line, for some reason, lost its magic in Montreal. They were the line last week. This week, they couldn’t pass it to each other well for a good scoring chance. They cycled the puck well but that’s all they did.
If Gaby would have been in the passing/shooting lane a second earlier, Savard woudn’t have gotten the 3rd goal. He tried to get his stick down but it was too late. That goal had too many breakdowns everywhere. Two guys sliding?
Considering Boston was mentioned as a team still looking to make a move, what’d you guys think of Savard in return for 10?
Russo made me laugh so hard I almost C.O.M.M&C (mac and cheese).
“Manny Fernandez made his first return to Minnesota since being traded to the Boston Bruins last year, and the often-morose goaltender coughed up souvenir pucks like he was sponsoring his own Wild giveaway.”
Good stuff Russo. Have a good time on the road.
Maybe the difference between the Shep-Gaby line in Montreal and against Boston was that Boston has better defensemen. It seemed like they had more room. Yesterday, the Bruins played a pretty tight game.
And again, from Eklund’s blog this am:
“The Senators are being very aggressive in an attempt to ad grab some more offense, and they see Gaborik as a real opportunity.”
He says more later today on this.
So I was just checking youtube to see if there was a video of the Peca incident and I came accross <this.
Well, off to watch the Vikings game! Cheers all! Oh, and YAY HOCKEY!!!
ATX:
Thanks for reminding me to set up my lines for this week. I completely forgot about football in my hockey excitement.
Am I wrong to say that Gaby was on the ice for the third Bruins goal? They have Koivu’s line as the ones on the ice.
Unfortuantely I did not see much of the game so any comments I make would have the intelligence factor of MKIA.
It sounds like Gaborik has already left.
A disturbing trend from last year - coughing up leads in the 3rd.
A trend broken - winning a one goal game in regulation.
There is no stopping the Canucks. They will go 82-0. I have forseen it… 
WRT, your point #7 needs to be in the context of what JL is looking for to show that his students have grasped what he wants! It is not riduculous.
Don’t make the Gaby stuff so complicated MKiA and MisConduct.
If he is such a “great” player, (commanding the high dollars he wants), then he needs to figure out how to do some adjusting to whomever he is playing with.
A team with a tempermental star they are continually trying to appease is going no place! It does not work when the star wants to only be on his spot on the ice and have people feed the puck to him.
That has been Gaby’s problem. He has not enlarged his game.
He probably feels the part of an outsider right now, a lame duck. But, he was given the “A” so it is not as if the team is ignoring him. They are leaving the door open for him.
Nolan standing up to Charo shows a lot. I am liking him better.
Sunshine, this is what the Game Summary says on the last Boston goal:
SAVARD(3)73M.RYDER(2)11 P.AXELSSON(3)
Bruins= 11,35,44,45,73,91
Wild = 8,9,15,20,32,41
DR might be willing to appease him but Lemaire won’t. Gaborik knows that he gets no special favors. He might get more leeway than most other players because of his offensive skills but Lemaire is probably harder on him, too. He can’t get away with much because he is use as an example. If Gaborik gets called out, it signals to the other players that Lemaire is not afraid to call out anybody even the best offensive player.
You know who Gaborik had the most chemistry with: Burns. Not his other linemates but Burns. They should play more together. Gaborik passed to him pretty often for one-timers yesterday. His other linemates were tied up somewhere else.
I just watched the third goal again and it wasn’t Koivu’s line that was out on the ice. It was Gaby’s line. Both Burns and SRV went sliding — don’t know why when both Skoula and Shep had their guys.
I think the Koivu line got gipped on that last goal.
KiPA if you’re out there…..F!ck Marvin Harrison…the week I bench him he scores 2 TDs and has like 80 yards at the half? WTF
Well if it makes you feel better, I benched both Peyton in one league and Thomas Jones (2 TDs) in TWO leagues.
You know who Gaborik had the most chemistry with: Burns. Not his other linemates but Burns. They should play more together. Gaborik passed to him pretty often for one-timers yesterday. His other linemates were tied up somewhere else.
This is what I’m saying!
Sunshine, Gaby has had ample time to figure it out. There are lots more difficult guys to play for than JL.
The goal here is to build a consistent winner, not to appease any particular player.
They have already gone way beyond to help him, (ie: trade a bright young prospect for his best friend, but that was not enough either).
There comes a time that the star needs to swim or sink on his own. And, the team can then move forward with or without Gaby.
Last nights game is more proof that Gabby can go and we won’t miss him. Great speed, average hands, poor hockey sense. Please trade him ASAP.
I hate to speak too soon but there is a good chance I might be on a winning streak. If you call 2 wins a winning streak after a long losing streak.
Look, I said that Gaby and his linemates did not play well together. You guys make it sound like it was all Gaby’s fault. It wasn’t. Sure he’s the best the player on that line but they weren’t clicking like there were in the Montreal game. The PMB and Koivu lines were clicking and had more scoring chances than Gaby’s line.
Gaby’s line - the passing wasn’t crisp and they didn’t know where the others were going to be. It was as if they were playing for the first time together. This was throughout the whole game. The other two lines were rusty in the first but they picked it up afterwards. Gaby’s line was discombobulated. I just don’t blame Gaby by himself. He’s not the whole line. He has SRV and Shep, too.
FOOD
