San Jose Sharks 3, Wild 1
Posted on November 4th, 2008 – 10:27 PMBy Michael Russo
Reminder, that Wednesday night will be Russo Radio on KSTP am 1500 at 6 p.m. Central
I recommend you reading my notebook tomorrow. It’s on the below picture. Funny stuff
If you didn’t read Jacques Lemaire’s quotes from this morning, read ‘em because they pretty much foreshadowed the game, then what would be his demeanor after.
In a lot of ways, Lemaire felt tonight was a moral victory. The Wild kept the game tight, hung around as long as they could, and then San Jose exploded out of the gate in a one-sided third period. The Sharks outshot the Wild 21-5 in the third period (really 22-4 because the off-ice officials somehow saw Evgeny Nabokov make a save on Stephane Veilleux in the final seconds when it really was defenseman Christian Ehrhoff).
They outshot the Wild 49-24 for the game. Remember, San Jose entered with the second-most shots for per game and the fewest shots against per game. They displayed why. They shoot from everywhere (every skater had a shot, led by a combined 13 from Joe Pavelski and Tomas Plihal) and come at the net in waves.
But for two periods, this was a great hockey game to watch and the undermanned Wild played right there with San Jose.
Physically, the Wild competed — of course, led again by Cal Clutterbuck in that department. But the Sharks scored a couple weird goals early in the third and it took the wind out of Minnesota’s sails.
Ryane Clowe was the best player on the ice for San Jose. He was physical, scored a goal, had an assist, and yes, a fight with Erik Reitz. He said he’d rather have a “Gordie Howe hat trick” any day over a real hat trick.
That’s a hockey player’s hockey player right there.
Here’s some quotes:
Sharks coach Todd McLellan: “I thought early in the game our response was poor. We had to address that between the second and third periods. After that we buckled down and played the way we should have. But it was a sloppy effort on our behalf for 40 minutes.”
Wild coach Jacques Lemaire: “I know they had a lot of shots on net and they had a lot of good chances, but overall, I thought the guys played really hard and we wanted to stay in the game, which we did. What changed the dynamic of the goal was the second goal [by Jamie McGinn]. … After that, it seemed like the guys felt there was very little chance to come back.”
Moral victory? “I want [the young guys] to look at it exactly like this, they played hard. One thing I know is they can check. Now it’s a matter of playing with the puck. We’ll get there. We kept hitting. We got hit. I thought it was a very exciting game.”
Niklas Backstrom on the weird second goal (he made a great save to rob Roenick, but the puck went right back to McGinn): “They passed across, they had a 3-on-2. I stopped the first shot. He was coming for a rebound, so I just tried to slide it away from the front of the net. But it hit our guy and he scored. For sure, it was a big goal for them.”
Feeling going into the third: “We were confident ourselves after two periods. 1-1 here, it’s good. I thought we’d play strong in the third and have a chance to win.”
Cal Clutterbuck: “They’re a big team. Part of their gameplan is try to intimidate some teams with their third and fourth lines. They’re big guys, but I thought we stood our ground.”
Nick Schultz: “I thought we came out pretty strong, especially in the first period. The third, they took over after that goal. It was a good test for us. We played well for the most part. They’ve got some big bodies that come in and bang. Everyone responded. That’s the style of game they’re going to play and you have to be able to match that. I think a lot of guys did that.”
Krys Kolanos on his first goal since Nov. 3, 2005: “It’s tough to lose. Winning is the most important thing. That was the priority. We hung in there. It’s just amazing how fast the momentum can shift.”
Ok, that’s it. Talk to you from Denver Wednesday after practice.
203 Responses to "San Jose Sharks 3, Wild 1"
Okay, let’s prove JL wrong and win this game boys! Gotta have the PIP going to see election results… although, according to CNN it’s already over.
Tonight’s internet feed of the game.
Not very clear, but at least it is not dumb and dumber calling the game.
CI has the game in HD tonight! Woo!
GOAL!
WOOOOOOOOOOO!
Ms. C… you see that line? KK, Pouls… thank you Houston!
Nice Kolanos!!!
Well, that’s a good start. Only way to win tonight is to get up early, I think. I like it so far!
Heh, Boogie, CK, and Poolboy. Nice combo there.
That wasn’t secuel… that was me.
I meant to say KK.
Yeah, that wasn’t me, Ms. C.
Something’s funny here.
Weird isn’t secuel? Russo… fix your dang blog will ya?
It’s been happening for a while secuel, just change the info back.
Name got changed on them last two “Buddha’s”. Should be me.
Except the last one. Nevermind….
Nice start from a line that we’ll need to put some pucks in the net.
Gorg just said “character was a defining moment” when talking about the Sharks’ coach’s time with the Aeros.
Incoherence at its finest.
Hah! Take that btches!!! Great opening shift by Clutter and then a goal by Houston’s golden boy (and an assist from pewter boy)…
And Reitz looks like he’s cruising for a bruising.
Though I was disappointed that Boogie didn’t get a piece of that goal. He was right there! He’s obviously got the same puck-repulsion problem I have.
So after advocating Kolanos at C and Pouliot at W I tune in just in time to see Pouliot win a face off and Kolanos score on the rebound shot from the blue line. Whatever - Let’s Go Wild!
Wow, brutal delayed penalty there. hopefully that is not a sign of how the PK will go…
So do the Sharks “fans” call Valasic (sp?) Pickle?
I missed the goal. I’m going to hurt the Mr if he doesn’t quit turning the channel to the Daily Show Election Special or BBC to check on the election stuff… a good hip check should take care of the hoser.
So, Obama is el presidente? CNN just announced that Barak is the “projected” president.
I think so, ATX.
Go GIT him, BG… DH is watching election crap on the slingbox. Elections are the last thing that need to be in HD.
Obama wins - Mr. Bandgeek keep it on the game until intermission 
Oh nice. They have dudes sweeping up the snow. Much better than ice girls. Those ones in Dallas skeeved me out.
This is SGS but I have never seen this handle so I thought I woiuld post.
Boy, Gillies has about the slowest shot I’ve seen in the NHL.
CRAP
Dang. 1-1.
Poop.
Lame.
Damn you Reitz, if you leave the front of the net don’t let the centering pass go right through your skates!!
damnit… the wife is watching the election thing, but we saw the Fins sore in the PIP… lame.
2min4hooking… I have never seen that handle either… kinda like it though.
Yes the real 2min4hooking should start posting.
meh not a horrible 1st for a team missing guys…I’ll take it
I’d rather listen to Pandora than Dumb and Dumber. Ridiculous. I can’t listen to them at all. Too annoying.
Jesus, that dude talks too much.
Think I’ll turn the computer off and go watch the game from the little tv in the bedroom. That way I can control the remote and no election crap. That and if I doze off due to my early start to the day I’ll be in a more comfortable place. Night all!
Night Bgeek!
Another great thing about Center Ice…don’t have to listen to the buffoons at intermission. Great PHX-CAL game going on, 3-2 ‘Yotes late in the 2nd.
Make that 4-2 PHX.
That was a very very nice speech by Senator McCain.
Wallshot, I concur. Very graceful exit by McCain.
That’s the chit Benny does…. AUGH.
If McCain talked that well during the campaign, he’d have won! Oh burn!
(Five-hour roundtrips for work ftl.)
Hmmmm.. need something good to happen here… come on guys!
Kev, five hour road trips?
round trips that is…
You mean talk about how great Obama is??? Yeah, I’m sure he would have won.
Clutterbuck TOTALLY rolls off the tongue!
Yes, that’s what I said, Austin. Had to go to a place about two and half hours away for a high school state soccer game.
What kind of move was Backs doing there?
Good thing that was Mike Grier with that opportunity there and not someone good.
It really does MsC. Hope he hangs around, although I know you miss him some.
Look at that Clutter. Poor Shep takes the brunt. Better buy Shep lunch.
Haha, he got Clutterbucked!
*breathe Ms.Conduct breathe*
That was fairly stupid by Clowe. I guess he thought Boyle got slew-footed but the hit was fine.
Great hit by C-Buck! Gotta make something out of the power play.
So the announcers on the Sharks feed are pretty good… but they keep saying “Zidlisky”. Annoying.
What the heck did that referee just do?
I think that’s actually correct, ATX. Olvecky is also Olvetsky.
Shep had gold on his stick there and it turned into a turd. Damn!
When Shep finally scores it will be a big goal - tonight would be good timing
KiPA- Clowe can pull that crap. All good. PIMs for me.
Dammit, would one of our forwards outside of Koivu and Clutterbuck hit someone. We don’t make their d-men pay at all when they are waiting to move the puck.
Yeah Kev, that was a weird call/non-call thing.
What a game. I really thought the Sharks where taking command of the game and back come the Wild.
The kids and Finns are stepping up.
I’m not at all confident we’re going to win this game, but I love the effort we’re putting into it. Lots of good players not available, and everybody’s busting their hump. Very impressed.
Hey a ref that come to his senses. You hardly ever see that.
That’s one problem for me, Buddha: my team’s going to win the team Lady Byng.
“my team’s going to win the team Lady Byng.”
LOL!
By the way, Buddha, are you going to revoke that “best draft pick” award? I don’t think Stamkos is a worthy winner anymore.
Goalieguy - I agree with you. Through 2 periods I’m very happy with the effort. I just don’t like the way they are being so physical with us. That usually wears you down and leads to turnovers and mistakes.
Man, great game! Cal’s doing that thing he does. I love it!
Exactly, Greg…It feels like the kind of game where we’ll put up a good fight, keep it close, and somewhere in the 3rd period there will be a scramble and somehow Cheecho will knock one in. But at least we haven’t gone in there and laid down.
PHX still leading the Flames 4-2. Apparently it’s NOT impossible for road teams to win in Calgary.
“Apparently it’s NOT impossible for road teams to win in Calgary.”
Someone tell the Wild that…
Man, whoever writes Obama’s speeches is pretty good. Plus he is a great public speaker.
Now its time to focus on the game!
You know what I like about this Comcast channel the Sharks HD feed is on? The commercials are QUIETER than the game. Like so quiet, I can’t hear them, even when the level for the game itself is just fine. Seems like commercials are about 20 decibels louder than the shows lately.
ATX - agreed. Let’s show Lemaire a little somethin!
Damnit!!
Ahhhh poopie.
Almost looked like Backs swiped the puck out in the slot to the Shark player.
Wish I’d been wrong….might still be, but I doubt it.
Backstrom made the great save, but then he’s the one who batted it right back up the slot. If he’d let the defenseman clear it, he’d have been okay.
Yikes. Stick a fork in ‘em.
Sigh, why’d I cut Clowe.
And here’s the game I thought we’d see from the start.
DAMNIT!!!!
Who cleared that?
Reitzy! Git ‘im!!!
That was a great fight!
Nice effort by Reitz, but poor result. He could have taken his lid off at least.
2 goals, 7 PIMs… Best pick up… ever
I still have him in another league, so it’s all good.
What’s up with the blog tonight. I almost posted as Wallshot.
Hey, want Backstrom for Clowe? Ha ha…
Huh, a GHHT for that dude.
Gordie Howe hat trick tonight for Clowe. There’s your useless (non) stat for the day.
So, in “Code” terms, suppose that little fight was cleaning up the Clutterbuck mess from earlier?
Heh heh, on the same wave-length again, eh “The Dude”? 
Indeed Wallshot. Indeed.
I got a beverage here man!
Hey hey, that’s what I like to hear bro! 
Ms. C, I thought that fight was because Clowe slashed at Backstrom.
Kevin, I think it’s because the Sharks believed Clutterbuck slew footed their dude.
That is, if that’s the fight you were talking about. I’m sort of distracted at the moment.
Maybe so. I figured that was the opportunity presenting itself, but I could be overcomplicating things. Wouldn’t be the first time.
Mrs. A, that’s why Clowe took that earlier penalty against Clutterbuck. Reitz started that fight with Clowe.
Stupid penalty, Bella.
Oh, the more recent fight. I have no idea about that one. You’re probably right. Or ms c is. Either way.
And yes, stupid penalty, Bela.
Yeah, but maybe Reitz was taking up for Cal… that was a pretty nasty mugging Clowe laid on him after that hit.
Just glad nobody’s chitting bricks about Cal turtling… It was the right thing to do.
Just glad nobody’s chitting bricks about Cal turtling
Since he’s in a Wild sweater…
Looks like JL was right. No suprise in this one, but still disappointing. I really don’t like the Sharks. Like, not at all. Grrrr.
Just shy of 50 shots… what does that say about team defense?
Sorry Ms. C. I am never in favor of turtling. Never. Stand up and take your beating.
LOL at Nabby whacking the guy in the suit (media guy?) in the nuts.
And BTW, it’s CRIMINAL that Backstrom didn’t get a star!
Buddha, says something about Backs… 47 saves is a lot. Not all easy ones either.
I am not happy that they lost, but it could have been different if we were healthy. Only time will tell what this team will really be this season.
That “Wildfor9″ comment was actually me… I hate this blog sometimes.
Uh oh! *drops the gloves and rips Buddha’s helmet off*
I liked the effort against a top team with 3 key players out. It would have been huge to get to OT but it will be all good if 2 points can be obtained in Colorado.
The Kings have a black player?!
Um. I have no idea. But hey, free hockey!
anyone else frustrated that when the Wild need to get offense they don’t change their game at all?? Come on Jacues, you can’t win every damn game 2-1. San Jose is a very good team but this is getting very frustrating that the Wild seem to play with no urgency at all
Damn. So much for that.
This is a good time to share again that I traded Marek Svatos for Chris Pronger a couple weeks ago.
And by “I” I mean me, not sunshine.
They really need to fix this identity problem.
Yes.
I hate moral victories.
And the talk of wild players with a young all-stars game appearance can include Kolanos. Weird.
Kolanos isn’t so young anymore. 1981…
isn’t so young anymore. 1981…
… Thanks, Ms. C.
I hear you OchreSunrise but had tonight’s game lacked effort or intensity it would have been a red flag. As it was, we can all hope for a better outcome Thursday in Avs land.
in Avs land.
Where goaltending is optional.
(Seriously, read my post on Nick’s blog in a few minutes when I’m done; I’m on fire tonight.)
It was a terribly played game by the Wild in that 3rd period, they were absolutely awful. They should all be embarrassed by their pitiful play and Jacques should be embarrassed that his coaching is so weak he can’t his players to play a full game ever.
Absolutely disgusting !!
Does anyone know where (or if) the NHL has a listing of attendance figures for each team?
Never mind, found it on ESPN (something useful on ESPN, shocking!)
Kevin - see if this works for you - http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?year=2009 - and here’s hoping Avs goaltending remains optional Thursday!
Thanks, 6GS, just came to that realization myself.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
I have to share this. This is just so… ugh. Words can’t describe it.
This is a comment on a rumor board regarding Penguin trades. Unedited.
If the Ducks are looking to ship off salary. Lets take Corey Perry off their hands, give them Dupuis and Eaton and maybe a 3rd/4th round pick. I mean hell Perry is on their AHL team so they must not rate him very high.
/facepalm
And people wonder why I hang out here instead of on Penguins boards.
Well, at least the Wild put two more points in the “moral victory” column with last night’s effort :O
So, have any of you experiencing the identity problem reported it? I did. Down there at the bottom of the page is a link to provide feedback:
http://www.startribune.com/help/11159606.html
I’d suggest if you really want it to be fixed that you pepper them with feedback about it until they fix it.
Sorry KiPA… you know what I mean. He’s midway thru his career, age-wise, even though that concussion set him back a few years.
The other problem going on with the blog (other then the name swapping thing) is that I can no longer post comments from my cell phone internet. It says that I am not authorized and to check my antivirus stuff.
Anyone see the scrap from the Coyotes/Flames game? Weird. Two pairs drop ‘em, it almost looks like Fridge says to the one pair “hey, they’re gonna go over there.” and the guys are like “oh, ok, cool we don’t have to fight then” but then that other one gets broken up so they decide to go instead. Like I said, weird.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qaXIj7ofs0&eurl=http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/48494
I really wasn’t disappointed in the loss last night. I was prepared for it with Burns out and I really thought we played well. We looked really good up until the 2nd goal in the 3rd. I do agree that it took the wind out of our sails. I am getting mildly frustrated with our lack of shots though. We can not score if we don’t shoot.
The following is awaiting moderation above…
Anyone see the scrap from the Coyotes/Flames game? Weird. Two pairs drop ‘em, it almost looks like Fridge says to the one pair “hey, they’re gonna go over there.” and the guys are like “oh, ok, cool we don’t have to fight then” but then that other one gets broken up so they decide to go instead. Like I said, weird.
I provided a link to the fight. I’m guessing that’s what is awaiting moderation.
I wouldn’t say I’m dissappointed with the loss, but a little worried about the ‘we did better than expected’ mindset. Should we not go into every game expecting to win. If we don’t do that, our chances of winning are drastically reduced.
I seem to recall last year we also had a lot of games with few shots. It seems (I’ve not researched) that we score on a higher percentage of our shots but…
I think that was some reverse psychology on JL’s part yesterday. One part, getting the team to go, “Oh we’ll show you old man!” and the other part, getting the Sharks to think they’ve got easy prey. Though I think there’s a third part that was just realism…
Goody, that was a pretty funny scene. Glad there was a decent fight out of it… would have been way too lame if neither pair had gone.
Not sure I want to continue reading the “moral victory” comment from the head coach. Pretty soon, that kind of jargon starts to leak from the players’ mouths. Team has gotten off to a decent start but has only played three top-end teams (Buff-Mon-SJ) and came in second place in all three of those contests. Really don’t think “moral victories” are gonna move the team up the ladder in the West.
Really don’t think “moral victories” are gonna move the team up the ladder in the West.
I agree - I think it will be a combination of health, winning the games they are supposed to win and what Gaby or his replacement(s) bring. Like I said last night, if some of the loses are not moral victories then that is a red flag. Rebounding from moral victories with a win, especially on the road, is the key.
AUGH. These people in this training!!!! He says 5 times, “Don’t follow along with me. Just watch.” 3 people say, “Teacher, i can’t follow along! I’m so behind! You’re going too fast!”
ZOMG! Pay attention!
Is “Russo Radio” available via podcast?
Sadaly no - http://www.am1500.com/podcasts/index.shtml
If you expect to win every game you are setting yourself up for failure because no one will win every game.
I think you try to win every one but not expect. two very different things.
winning that game last night would have been stealing. Its hard to compete when you are missing 3 of your top 6 players. you just cannot replace them and still be at your top level.
all moral victory means is sure we lost but we didn’t roll over. We didn’t hand them the game.
Losses suck but it isn’t black and white as it appears it is to some people here. the loss last night was far better than the loss to columbus last year on the day after thanksgiving for example.
Green*, agree 100 percent.
Last year’s loss to Columbus shows that eating leftover turkey for breakfast before an early afternoon game is not a good idea.
Losses are black and white. You lose the division by a single point, we’re not gonna be able to look back at the Buffalo game and say, “The boys played hard in that game, they deserved two points.” A loss is a loss is a loss. I’m not of the ilk that feels the team is gonna go 82-rock, but that “moral victory” rhetoric is dangerous. Moral victories are for high school football teams and pimply-faced guys who get a cute girl to say “maybe” to a date request. Would rather see JL state that “We got beat by a better team. We’ll see how things work out when we can get our full roster on the ice and face them again, but as of right now, San Jose is a better team.” You start talking about moral victories and you start to build in excuses for the boys when one or two or three or four guys are out with injuries.
Anybody see the new ad posted on Wild.com with PMB and Boogaard. Not sure how new that is but it’s my first time seeing it. Well done again
Deep, I agree.
You look at that loss and say “We were right there with them for two periods. Our third period performance was not good. If we work hard on playing 60 minutes and get all our guys healthy, we’ll spank ‘em next time.” Not “Well, we were down a few guys and they’re a better team - we expected to lose so we’re happy with how well we played.”
One of those is the path to improvement, the other is the path to mediocrity.
A couple of years ago lifesize posters were handed out at one of the Kid’s Club events, with pictures of Boogie and Butch and a ruler running up along one side of the poster. Pretty cool for the kids to see how close they were to being Butch’s size or how close they were to being able to reach Boogey’s bellybutton.
richard, it was brought up yesterday. The female members of Russoville seem to unanimously agree Boogaard is cute in his #24 pj’s. I think most of us found it amusing and well done.
so in other words…we should be looking to fire the coach and maybe cut a few guys because they lost last night, i mean a loss is a loss. the coach should have the team better prepared to win and he didn’t. the players should play better and they didn’t. the team his horse shat and doesn’t deserve to be in the league. ticket holders should get their money back because well, they are losers.
I see.
It is possible to lose - and come out ahead because of it.
I think JL hit it right with the checking part of the game.
They need to play better/smarter/more creatively with the puck.
After all, we know we cannot count on UM for help.
DB and Goody - I have to take you to task on the moral victory topic.
Yes, I agree a loss is a loss in the win and point total, but I do think there is a difference between last years post thanksgiving debacle and last nights game. When you have a lot of young and inexperienced players in the line up, like the game last night, and you don’t just roll over in the loss you do gain valuable experience for these young guns. Can this experience be quantified? No, no more then in the games played column. But, games like this might make a difference come spring when Wild will need improved play from these “young guns” to challenge for a play off spot or to go far in the play-offs.
kj - can I have my brain back?
Russo’s Radio is available on podcast. The Matt Thomas show does not have a podcast listed on the podcast section of the website.
Here is the link to his on-demand podcasts, which includes Russo’s show:
http://www.am1500.com/ondemand/od_mattthomas.shtml
If you have iTunes, put in Matt Thomas in the search engine and you can find his podcast.
No, the team should take an objective look at itself and figure out what they need to do to win the game. If that means get everyone healthy, work hard for 60 minutes, or if necessary bring in a coach who doesn’t let them off the hook because they didn’t expect the team to do well.
Saying ‘It’s ok that we lost and I’m suprised we did as well as we did’ is not going to motivate the players to do better next time.
Thanks sunshine - not sure why they would not put all podcasts on the podcast page but whatever, I am very happy to have the access!
BDS, I agree that hanging with a tough team for so long is very important for the kids on the team. It is important for the team to know they can do that with some key players missing. However, to excuse the loss as being expected isn’t going to do the team any good. Should they settle for a loss for the rest of the season any time they go up against a team they expect to lose to?
Next time they play the Sharks or Detroit or Dallas at AAC or Calgary at the Saddledome they should be happy to lose but play well?
I haven’t read all the posts nor did I watch the game last night. The election was more important. Here are my thoughts about the loss and Lemaire’s comments.
Lemaire is realistic and pragmatic man. He’s not going to sell us snake oil. Last year, he said that he wasn’t sure if the team was going to make it to the playoffs when they had their collapse. He tells it like he sees it. He’s not going to assuage that we were going to win against the Sharks. He’s not going to hand out the kool-aid. Come on….we have lost to them 7 times before the game last night. We have been close a couple of times to defeating them but lost.
We are hit by injuries and the best the team can do is play at their best. I’d take a moral loss over a lay-down-and-walk-all-over loss anyday.
Goody - so you think the Wild should win every game and there isn’t a team that is better then the wild as long as the coach doesn’t let them off the hook? By looking at themselves objectivly they can get healthy and work harder?
I don’t mean to pick on you but that sounds strange to me.
Goody - OK, so I missed you last entry and I get you point better now. No, it is not an exusse for a lose, but it does take some thing positive instead of getting all down on themselves. Kind of like Sunshine said.
I just saw the Boogie and PMB commercial. Hilarious. I was cracking up.
BDS…no.
Has anyone seen Green*’s tix on Craigslist yet??? 
Do ‘real’ fans accept moral victories?
G*: Shouldn’t read so much into things. Never wrote that JL should be fired. Simply posted that “moral victories” are a quick way to find yourself near the bottom of the standings. We are, in fact, talking about professional hockey players, well, for the most part anyway. The moral victory talk will provide the “youngsters” with a built-in excuse the next time the Wild plays with a few of its top players on the shelf aganist a top-end team. Which, judging by the looks of the injuries already, shouldn’t be too far out. After last night’s game, why not state “Our guys did a good job for two periods but that isn’t good enough in this league, especially against a team like San Jose. We need to play for 60 full minutes if we want to beat these kind of teams.”
We’re not talking about 13-year-olds trying to advance to the semifinals of the PeeWee B Princeton Invitational; we’re talking about professionals.
When there is a loss, you have to find some positives. The odds of the Wild winning against the Sharks were long. From what most of you said, they hung in there.
Moral victories are small losses. The Montreal loss was an unforgivable loss. We were handed a win and couldn’t close the deal. That’s unforgivable and the boos were deserved.
JL gets blasted for lambasting the kids in the paper last week and this week he gets held over the coals for his milder take on last night’s game. He just can’t win. Poor bastard.
sunshine: I can see your point about trying to find some positives, but in the professional world of sports, it is about wins and losses…period. We all know what Sean Connery said about those that “do their best”. I would have to check the NHL media site to see if a press release has been issued on a rule change, but I think a team still receives zero points in the standings for a loss in regulation, regardless if it plays the best game in the history of history, or the worst game. I just don’t think you talk about moral victories with professionals, since it is all about winning at that level.
Tyler: not sure whom lambasted JL for ripping into the “kids” but these “kids” are now professionals, not guys trying to make their Junior A team up in Quebec. If they are playing poorly, whether they are 19 years old or 39 years old, they deserve to be lit up. I never mentioned that JL needs to be fired or killed or stabbed. I just stated that moral victories are best left for the amatuers.
I can see both sides DB, but I tend to take a softer approach. Just because these guys are pros doesn’t mean they aren’t subject to their own humanity. And “moral victories” are just a part of life in general, not just hockey.
While I understand the slippery slope you’re warning against, I think this team has too much fire in the belly to go down that path, and I feel like the occasional acknowledgment of a moral victory is normal and healthy.
I think the part where you have to leave it up to their professionalism is the part where they DON’T let the acknowledgment of one moral victory result in acceptance of mediocrity. This is where you need to trust them to be pros.
DB:
Sure the bottom line is the wins and losses. I would rather take a surefire victory over a moral victory because they determine if you are going to the playoffs or not.
However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t take some comfort in some of the losses. If its a shellacking, its demoralizing. The importance of moral victories to a team or a fanbase is to provide some hope. Right now, we need to a little bit of hope with all these injuries.
There may be no moral victories but there’s also no reason to be completely miserable after a loss. Besides, it’s just a game.
But some people like being miserable.
Everybody really does like to read too much into posts. Not miserable at all. Matter of fact, I’m happier than a racoon in Denny’s dumpster. Simply feel that moral victories are best left for the 9-year-olds and not paid professionals.
Also, KiPA, it is not “just a game”. IT IS LIFE!!!!!
Did I say you are one who likes being miserable, DB? Guilty conscience? Now who’s reading too much into posts?
But I’ve always considered myself to be “some people”.
Very philosophical thread today. I’m waiting for a post by Jack Handy….Hiiiyooooooo!!!!
I guess I have to side with Deep Breath on this one. The result of the game with San Jose was predictable. Too predictable. I didn’t see the game, but let me guess: The Wild played gutty for the 1st period with Velieux throwing his 5′9″ frame around as best he could. But after getting bounced around during the first, the team came out in the second a little slower and a little more timid and it got worse in the third.
The honeymoon is over. This team has been around long enough that they can no longer play the ‘little team that could card.’
Kolanos scored huh? How does he look. Voros came in on fire and then cooled waaay off. Is Kolanos here to stay or is he hopped up on ‘Big Club Goofballs’. Probably too early to call.
FYI: Shattuck St. Mary’s comes to town
Jan 29th vs Benilde and Jan 31st vs Holy Angels.
wild played physical-LOL The wild got there a$#% handed to them. They get pushed around every game and there not going to compete with good teams. Lemaire has to go and get some players in here that can play physical. For F-sake HIT SOMEONE!! DAMN WIMPS!
fitz, I think a lot of that is JL and not the players. He’d rather they pass on the hit and stay in position than potentially get out of position by making the hit. That happened to Clutterbuck in the MTL game (second goal I believe). He went to the half wall with an MTL player. Clutterbuck lost his stick and was knocked down. Puck went to the MTL D who shot and scored. Had Clutterbuck not gone for the hit, he would have been in position to stand in the D’s shooting lane…
Not that I disagree with you, they do need to play a lot more physical but they need to evaluate the risk of making the hit vs. getting out of position. Offensive zone - what’s to lose? Neutral zone - maybe. Defensive zone - might want to stay in position unless there’s only one opposing player in the zone.
Russo needs to post. I’m ovah this page.
I for one would rather get a real hat trick vs. a Gordie Howe hat trick anyday. I also think anyone who says otherwise is a liar. Thats like when kids say they would rather get an assist than a goal. What? are you kidding score the goal kid its way more fun.
I went and looked. It was MTL’s first goal. The hit is at 0:49 in the game highlights.
No points for moral victories. The Wild can be very competitive but they are going to need to get healthy and stay healthy to do it - not much margin for error.
It’s almost dinner time, where is the food
But some people like being miserable.
I don’t. I had the dreaded “stomach flu” over the weekend. I was miserable. I didn’t like it.
As for the game last night, I think you have to look at the Sharks right now as the measuring stick. I’m calling them my cup favorite right now. They’re a different team than the previous few seasons in a good way.
Hanging in there shorthanded for two periods is something. That third period is something else. Backs was spectacular. I don’t think I’ve seen him play better than he has early on this season.
the dreaded “stomach flu”
That’s “lower body injury.”
But some people like being miserable
i’d change some to a lot of minnesota sports fans.
i’m not reading into anything. JL says it was a moral victory last night and there is uproar about how there is no such thing and the team will slide into the toilet when the coach gives them a built in excuse. it’s clear that if you don’t b!tch when the team loses around here, you don’t get it. so when I challenge the need to b!tch, i’m reading into things? nah, i’m not reading into anything.
That’s “lower body injury.”
inner body injury?
$.02 on physical play
JL and DR seem to think that team toughness is irrelevant in today’s NHL. We fielded probably the softest lineup in the league last night. We have a nuclear option in 24, but beyond that not many of our fellas like to finish checks. The one’s that do turtle or become punching bags. When Gabby leaves I think the Wild will have to rethink the single enforcer-multiple mosquito strategy they seem so fond of.
G*, I know we all have our windmills to tilt at, but I’m not sure why you’ve chosen sports fan btchng as yours. It’s like trying to pretend gravity doesn’t exist. And MN doesn’t have any special monopoly on it.
