Wild 6, Nashville Predators 2; Belanger hurt; Clutterbuck scratched
Posted on November 29th, 2008 – 6:33 PMBy Michael Russo
I’d like to remind every one that the Wild is back in this building on Saturday, so that rematch will be interesting.
There were four fights, lot of elbows and hits from behind and at one point in the second period, there were fights on three separate shifts six seconds apart — Stephane Veilleux vs. Scott Nichol, Derek Boogaard vs. Wade Belak and Craig Weller vs. Jordin Tootoo.
By the way, Boogey’s shift was his only one of the game, and it lasted one … two … three … seconds. Three!!!
Besides the rout, this game got ugly in a hurry and the Wild made Nashville pay for its lack of composure by scoring five power-play goals, a new Wild road record. The five power-play goals ties the Wild’s overall record, and tied Nashville’s record for most power-play goals allowed. Who’d the Preds allow five PPG’s to before? The Wild in 2006.
Nashville had a right to be upset early in my opinion. Craig Weller checked Ryan Suter on an icing, which is not supposed to be allowed anymore. Supposed to be an automatic penalty because some player broke his femur last year chasing an icing. Don’t remember his name.
Shea Weber compounded things by jumping Weller for a two. When Weller got nothing for hitting Suter on the ice, Sutter began yelling at the ref and got a minor, meaning the Wild had a two-minute 5-on-3 with Shea Weber, Nashville’s best defenseman, in the box for seven minutes.
Weller off for five. Weber off for seven. Good tradeoff. Oh, and Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Andrew Brunette scored on the power plays to give Josh Harding, who had a right to feel rusty after not playing since Oct. 30, a 2-0 cushion.
Koivu was sensational. Two goals, an assist, great on the penalty kill, in a season-high 24:46. He had to be good. Eric Belanger tested his injured leg in warmups, and lasted two minutes. So the Wild played with three centers. Jacques Lemaire praised the job done by James Sheppard and Benoit Pouliot, who made things hairy in the third with two straight penalties.
Koivu scored a back-breaking fourth goal, then stole the puck from Weber in the third for a breakaway goal.
Brunette had a goal and two assists, Owen Nolan scored for a third straight game (first three-game goal streak since March 2003), Bouchard had a goal and an assist, Antti Miettinen had a career-high three assists and Weller was rewarded with his first goal with the Wild.
The Wild has beaten Nashville in six of the last seven meetings. The Wild has scored 17 goals in the past four games (3-1). The Wild was 8-5 in November for its best November ever. The Wild’s 11 power-play chances tied a team record. It’s the 11th time in team history the Wild’s scored six on the road — second time this season. Koivu had his eighth career three-point game. Harding won for the first time since Feb. 10. Miettinen had his fourth career three-point game, and three have come this season. Brunette scored his 199th career goal.
Belanger is day-to-day, but Lemaire said if he can’t play Monday, the Wild needs another center from the minors (probably Krys Kolanos).
With the tight deadline and all the players I needed to find after the game, I completely forgot to ask Lemaire about why he scratched Clutterbuck. Brian Stensaas is on tomorrow and maybe he can ask that follow.
That’s it from moi. Hope your shopping is going well.
———————————————————————–
As I speculated on the previous blog, center Eric Belanger is out tonight. He sustained that leg injury I mentioned in the previous blog when he was hit by Lecavalier last night in the first period. He finished the game.
Cal Clutterbuck, the team leader in hits, is not out there and is healthy.
Big question is who gets Belanger’s center shifts. Bouchard, Nolan? Gillies played center in junior. I’m thinking Gillies will play center.
Craig Weller and Colton Gillies are in.
I hear fiddling in my head. Could be because I went to the Charlie Daniels Museum today. I once the Charlie Daniels Band play in a high school gymnasium in Cleveland, Georgia. The second after they did Devil Went Down to Georgia, my friends and I left 
199 Responses to "Wild 6, Nashville Predators 2; Belanger hurt; Clutterbuck scratched"
That sucks. Bella’s been good.
What? Why the heck would Clutterbuck be scratched? Makes no sense…
Um whut? Cal scratched? I’m assuming you’ll ask about this, Russo? Though I’m not opposed to the guy getting a break.
Well, where is everyone. I am hoping Harding has a great game. I love to see the Wild come out of here with 2 points. Go Wild.
Oh dear. Should I start Kipper (v. VAN) or Smith (v. COL)?
smith
What? Why would you leave before “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”?
this is a big, big test. I think Bella’s been a huge component this season. Time to step up boyz!
nice shift here from the big line.
PMB Spin-o-turnover: 1
are those new pads for Hards??
ms.s: Larry Wigge love for Cal on nhl.com
sorry, that should obviously be to ms.c
huh…Benny spin-o-turns-into-a-shot-on-goal…
wow…Weller takes Weber for 5? I’ll take that all night long.
Hmm. San Antonio has some ugly uniforms on tonight. Here’s hoping it messes with their heads.
and how tough is Suter? Grabbing at Weller just enough to not get an instigator, while his star defenseman has to do his dirty work for him?
Ha, an unsportsmanlike for Suter…
Thanks for the link Nick. I’ll look at it at intermission. Got two games going. Damn. Weller lost the chit out of that fight.
GOAL!!
BUTCH!!!
now that’s a heckuva shot, Butch! Why the F won’t you bring that thing out more often?!
GOAL!! BRUNO!!
Wow. Rosa shooting! Good boy.
GOAL! Woot! BUTCH! Both my non-shooters shooting! Sweet fancy Moses!
how about the Bs taking it to the Habs tonight, eh? 3-0 midway through!
Holy crap, another one? Who backs up Ellis?
Just realized I was about 5 minutes behind on the DVR. Duh.
Rinne, ms.c
Decent goalie.
Every time Kolanos skates off at the end of his shift, he looks injured. I guess he just looks like that.
who is playing center for belanger?
Oh damn, Kassian almost got a goal.
I think it’s a committee, max.
Is Ward playing for Nashville?
ms conduct, does Kass ever fight there ?
yes, ms.c
This article can be used as future reference for the Wild and Minnesotans/Americans issue - http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/35237799.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUBP7hUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU - thank you Russo!
WHAT. JUST HAPPENED?!?
whoa what just happened there? I’m glued to the radio tonight.
Tootoo just sort of ran into Hards behind the net, then turned around and dropped on Kimmy - who pretty much skated away from him - but Hards bear hugged him and then the rest of the guys showed up.
WOO! Aeros goal! On a Rosa shot! My little blog lecture to him yesterday worked.
Um, and I like Harding getting in a tussle there.
#22, Tootoo, gets 2 and 2 for roughing and goalie interference
Alex, yes, when he’s not scratched. And he fights well, too. Look up Kassian v. Mirasty.
Licker wants a goal…bad.
I’m glued to the radio tonight.
Me too - last of four games in hockey exile and I want to go 3-1 on my road trip
good killing here by the Preds
I want one for him … bad.
Nice hit by Pouly there.
Reitz just dropped on Tootoo, but L’il Toot didn’t respond…hope ER doesn’t get a penalty.
Reitz is ready to rearrange Tootoo’s face. He probabaly still hates the guy from the AHL days.
I know I do (hate Tootoo from his AHL days)
Is there a limit for how long you can sit behind the net with the puck before they call delay of game?
nice of ER to try to avenge Kimmy
DAMN! Huge check by Reitz
Wow. Shots are 17-10 in favor of the Aeros in the first period of that game. Last year, 17 was a game’s worth of shots on a pretty regular basis.
holy mini-me, Batman…how small is freakin’ Gorg? even allowing for the 3 inches for the skates, Butch had an extra couple on him there!
MARNEY IN ‘DA HOUSE! Whereyat, G*?!
What is the Wild score??
2-0 good guys after 1, max
you have to think the zebras will even this up a bit over the course of the rest of the game
Tussin Time! *cough*
GOAL NOLAN!!
OLDEN!
slainte, IGoW!
Who is this guy in the Butch uniform?
Butch with another shot…is he getting the message? I hope so!
Kolanos GOAL!
Nothing warms the heart more than PP goals on the road - Good stuff Wild!
Uh oh. Nasty injury to Rogers in the Aeros game. Hoggan’s going down for that.
Boogey and Belak!
Why don’t these guys lose the lids? Stupid.
fight fight fight
ms.c: what happened on the injury to Rogers?
Weller and Tootoo!
Wow. They’re going with the Southern fight night hockey tonight, huh?
Oh boy. Getting nasty in San Antonio, too. Kolanos just got slashed and speared, but of course, isn’t gonna fight. I’m guessing Kassian and Scott have some work to do if anybody on this team will answer the bell.
Nick, Hoggan ran him face first into the boards as he was bending over to play the puck and his face caught on the dasher. Blood everywhere, including, apparently on the front Hamilton’s jersey. I guess he was helping him off the ice.
ooohhh…was it a clear “I’m going to Claude Lemieux you and I don’t care” or can a case be made in support of Hoggan?
Damn. It’s not the third period yet!
Well, Hoggan didn’t even get a penalty for it. It was… sketchy. Looked to me like there was time to pull up, but he did catch Rogers awkward. Hopefully it’s just a matter of stitches and he comes back.
Clutterbuck must be scratched so we can see Weller. If Bella is hurt, Kolanos comes back up. Someone may have to go so tonight Weller makes the case for why it shouldn’t be him.
Ugh. Please don’t take Kolanos. He’s all we’ve got.
wow…a “[insert name], [insert name], [insert name] YOU SUCK!” chant? What is this, amateur hour?!
Boston with the beat down on the Wings. That is one hot team right now.
GOAL! MIKKO!!
Aww, come on, Nick. Goalie taunts are classic.
WOW! BEAUTY!
Damn. Nice breakaway chance by Hamilton who overplayed it a bit.
Weird seeing Wardo in another uni. :\
Guess they play better when Clutterbuck isn’t in the lineup.
Hards really does have trouble with rebounds.
If you’re trying to get my goat, Kevin, it won’t work. 
You got that right, Nick. Dude makes me nervous. Always has.
Wasn’t my intent.
Hards does look a little scary out there. Glad we are up by 3.
Hmmph. But it doesn’t bode well for him, that’s for sure. Jock likes to stick with line-ups that work, right? Oh, maybe we’ll get him back. 
So why is C-buck sitting this one out? He has been playing well. Why Hards and not Back tonight?
I suspect they’re both just getting a break. As composed as Cal is, he is still just one of the kids.
wow, old school fight night. I love it. how do i watch games online free? yes i wanna watch the fights over again. is there any free access to aeros games online?
http://www.ahllive.com is how I watch the Aeros games. It’s not free though. Don’t know of a free way to watch them.
Score update please…
Cal drives a Mercedes??? Geez. I guess if you have to live out of your car, it might as well be a damn nice one.
4-1, I think
Ms. C I agree on given them a break, however, I thought Jock likes to stay with what’s working and not mix it up till somethings broken.
Backstrom needed a rest and Hards needs to get some playing time. Not sure about Cal but suppose he wanted to get Weller back in.
Koivu’s trying to earn must-start status for my fantasy team.
Yeah, who knew we’d need both Weller and Boogs tonight? Jock did, I guess.
He’s got it in mine, especially with Jokinen out.
Oh good. Rogers is back for the third period. Stitch ‘em up and send ‘em out.
The penalties on Nashville to start the game for questioning the ref’s call change the complexion of the call against Koivu last night.
If they are going to call that all night, then the call against Koivu was fair. Last night it seemed like chickensheet.
Yah, MissConduct, the seats are probably softer for sleeping.
He hasn’t yet for me, not with Savard, Pavelski and Getzlaf. Getting there though. Need to trade one.
Nashville’s fighters and nastyness probably tell you why you see Weller and not Clutterbuck tonight.
Eh, I looked it up. Only about a $35k model he has. Probably still pretty comfy seats though.
Damn. SA scored. Poop.
Mosey in the box. Damn.
And Pouly in the box. He’s awfully dejected. Buck up and grow up, son.
Cal needs a BMW, screw the Benz. 
Can’t argue with that. I’m not much of a car person, but I love the sound of a BMW.
Fudge. NOW it’s the third period. Nice screen by Wardo though. Damn him.
If you have lots of $$$$$ cars rock. Otherwise they are nothing but a money pit.
WILD better not fall apart!!!!!! Grrrr!
The Aeros have turned Locke into a checker. Ugh.
IGoW declaring W. Nice.
Yeah Agent… I, on the other hand, will drive my 4Runner until the wheels fall off. But that’s okay. It holds my smelly dog and smelly hockey gear a lot better than a BMW.
4Runners are sweet!!! It should run for ever! I drive my cars till they die to. I need a Suburban to hold my 2 great danes and my daughters smelly hockey gear!! HA!
Damn, the penalty box keepers are not bored tonight. Hope they oiled the hinges on the penalty box door…
WOOOHOO KOIVU!!! I am proud to be a FIN tonight! lol Who says we need GABBY??
WOOO! Weller is making his case tonight. (This, of course, makes me feel very conflicted.)
OHHHH, ouch. One of the Aeros players made a glove save on a slapshot. MF that had to hurt.
Gotta love the Wild’s intensity! Better to have conflict with to many playing well!! :)
Kolanos! Empty netter! Aeros win on the road! WOOO!
Rematch Dec, 6. better oil the penalty box hinges for that one. What a chippy bunch Nashville is. Aholes!
Any reason why Miettinen only had 3 shifts in the third? Hurt?
If Weller will stand in front of the net and score a goal or two, it will make the Man very very happy.
I would not bet against our Man Mountain getting the “C” for the third straight month!
Maybe Jock is resting Miettinen? Hurt would be bad.. 
I should fed ex them some WD 40 for the box.
We don’t need Gabby. Just get him off the roster. Should replace the name on his jersey with the word Fragile…lol
I would be surprised if the rotating C is not already a thing of the past. Good W tonight, makes the recent Ls to the Stars and Nuks a bit easier to take
Anyone think Gabby had “lower body” surgery and they are trying to hide it? Gabby has skill but others have more desire.
Who’s Gabby?
Agreed 6GS. This is beyond a shadow of a doubt Mikko’s team.
Agreed, this should be Mikko’s team now.
Whew… great game eh? Just got back from a bday party… showed up after work just in time to see the three fights.
There is no should A607… it was Mikko’s team as sson as the first puck dropped.
They can take the C, but he is still the captain. No question, and every guy on the team would tell you the same thing.
Observations:
Weller is a poor man’s version of Fedoruk. Not as tough and no nose for the net. He couldn’t muscle toto around. that was embarassing.
Toto is a smaller meaner version of Voros. (Voros is putting up lotsa goals in NY)
Yawnson is a puss. Don’t know if this has already been beaten to death on this site, but that dude is a puss. I don’t notice him on the offensive side of the puck and he’s got zero muscle on the defensive side of the puck. He got into it with Toto and I could swear he backed out and let his goalie take it. Maybe he tripped on the net, but I doubt it.
If by some strange twist of fate Skoula has the puck in the offensive half of the ice, please just dump it in the corner and assume the position on the blue line. Oh yah, try and hit someone now and again. He looks like a wide body but I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him take anyone out.
that’s the end of my goon rant.
Good win Wild.
6-2 Puter. 6-2. The Wild win SIX to TWO, three fights, two of which were good solid bouts.
6-2, and you rant for a solid three paragraphs and give them a “Oh by the way” Good win?
Man. What do people want from these guys?
It was a goon rant.
Weller, Yawnson really ticked me off. And Skoula is just Skoula.
I added Good win Wild.
I like this team better than last years team. I wasn’t saying that before the regular season started. If this team had one more Koivu this team goes from good to great (Red Wing great). That’s a statement on Koivu AND how good I think this team is.
quite posting your reactions this is not a chat boared
#1 what up with DB
#2 what up with GB(he has falling off everybodies radar………………………………………….this makes me mad
Misconduct. I think I told you before traing camp that Locke was brought into Minnesota with the spirit of Wes Walz, so yes Locke is now a checker
Signed Mister Know it all
Those high scoring, exciting, dynamic Vancouver Canucks have 11 shots and no goals through 2 on Calgary. Wherefore art thou Nuk trolls?
Trucker norm,
Never mix the speed, meth and the Wild Turkey.
Anyone think Jordan Schroeder would look great in a Wild uniform next year? Since I haven’t seen the Draft Rankings, where’s Jordan sit on it right now? Anyone know?
You can have Clusterf**ks Mercedes. I’ll take Gaby’s Porsche Carrera GT Special Edition. $450,000. Looks like the freakin Batmobile. Black and silver. Top speed is like 210 mph. 0-60 faster than you can say Sylvain Blouin.
Schroeder was exceptional tonight. Great vision, very smooth with the puck. He needs to add some bulk to his frame though. I think an NHL season would wear him down quickly. He should stay 1 more year. Not sure where he ranks right now.
Schroeder is the top ranked NCAA player - http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=11285 - so I am sure he will join the long list of high profile Minnesotans/Americans that the Wild will not be in a position to draft as chronicled by Russo here - http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/35237799.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DU2EkP7K_V_GD7EaPc:iLP8iUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU
Schroeder is the top ranked NCAA player - http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=11285 - so I am sure he will join the long list of high profile Minnesotans/Americans that the Wild will not be in a position to draft as chronicled by Russo in Sunday’s paper.
Puterschmidt, I think I am a poor mans version of Fedoruk. Hands of stone, not much speed, and may lose in a fight with Kristi Yamaguchi. Watch Fridge fight (post Boogie). He just tries to wrestle and avoid getting hit. Since he had the plate installed in his face, thanks to Boogie, the Docs told him to lay off fighting unless he wants to look like the elephant man. His face is about as sturdy as a ming vase.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Puter - I get the goon rant, but tuck it away for a night when they don’t play one the best games of the season.
To say Weller can’t find the net on the night he scores his first goal of the year (not to mention first game in the line up in quite awhile) just makes you look silly.
Picking on Skoula is like picking on people from Alabama at this point. It might be easy, but it really is pointless. Oh… not for nothing, but speed and meth are the same thing.
Tucker - I don’t even know what your post said or what is was about. Who is DB? Who is GB? And why should I stop posting here exactly?
The 1980s Edmonton Oilers, I mean 2008-09 Vancouver Canucks went down 3-1 to Calgary on 19 shots. That silence you hear is the Nuk trolls Sleep well tonight Wild fans.
Nice SGS. Well played.
Almost exactly what Russoville has been trying to tell the homers for months (years?)
Didn’t even realize Russo was writing about the American/college angle this weekend.
Wild now a point behind the Nucks and the Flames there now too?
Yes, to have a clone of Mikko, so we had two. Our troubles would be over quickly.
I would break the bank for Mikko! Whatever Gaby is asking it is too much. Save the bucks for Mikko.
Hey Putersh*t
Johnnson is a great defenseman. Skoula does his job very well too. Weller does not deserve to be compared to the fridge. You are a hockey ignoramous.
Great Game Wild!!!
As long as we all admit that, if some popcorn maker/half-goon who was getting a rare game for the Preds checked one of our defensemen (say, Schultz) on an icing play (get well soon, Fozzie) we’d be infuriated. And then, if our Burns took matters into his own hands, but in the process was given an extra 2, then Schultz yapped at the zebras and they gave him a 2 for unsportsmanlike, while all the popcorn maker/half-goon got was an off-setting 5, we’d be apoplectic at the refs.
And then, if the Preds scored twice on the 5:3 and went on to rout us - in our own building, we’d be rioting.
As long as we can all admit that’s how we’d have reacted in the State of Hockey, then we’re cool.
I’m not saying the Wild didn’t deserve to win. They were the better team and capitalized on the opportunities they received. But, if the tables were reversed, we’d be freaking out right now, and I’m not sure it wouldn’t be justified.
NiNY, While all that could be true, it is somewhat irrelevant. We won 6-2. They lost their cool throughout the game not just at the beginning and Tootoo was cheap all game and got what he deserved. I get really tired of clowns getting on here and complaining about Skoula. Obviously these folks have not watched him this year. He has been very solid all year and again made some nice plays last night using his body to get the puck away and move it out of the zone. Johnsson is a very good but not great D this year. Hards–the jury is still out on him. Need to see more of him but rather see Backs.
wood: Agreed it wasn’t the whole story. But my point is that, if the situation was reversed, we would have been acting as though it was the whole story.
Can the world stop for a few minutes, I need a breather…. Watched the game at the Mr’s mom’s where we had gone to have a late Thanksgiving with that side of the family. The Mr now wants a new tv for Christmas. The step-dad has a very nice HD big screen, I could see every grimace on the face of the guy Boogie fought, and his checking himself to see what, if anything had been hurt. All the while Boogie just fixes his pads that came askew and patiently sits in the box, have I mentioned I really like Boogie. I should go find some breakfast. I do think I scared some of the in-laws with my… fervor (that’s a good would for it) for the game of hockey.
NiNY, you are correct and the Preds fans are justified for complaining–BUT. The Preds completely lost it and played undisciplined hockey which is not what I think of when I think of them.
NiNY and woodcock: This is what I think of first, when I think of the Nashville Predators:
All of their sophomoric chants are in detail here. In all their undignified glory.
That was the Wild taking advantage of what the opposition gave them last night. Pure and simple. 5-for-11 on the power play? You’d better have taken advantage of that, especially after the 0-fer-10 they ran against Montreal Oct. 30th.
Anyone else want to complain about Weller after last night?
The only thing I had wished was that Cal Clutterbuck would have been in the line-up. Then, the ‘Little Ball of Hate’ would have had someone to punch who was his own size, instead of trying to take out Harding with that cheap, behind-the-net take-out clip in the 2nd period. Jordin Tootoo needs to face, say, Boogaard…just once. It will only be once, because there won’t be enough left of him for a Round 2. Sadly, they aren’t in the same class, so he’ll never face the real retribution that he so richly deserves.
Johnsson and Skoula have both stepped up their games this season. (Skoula by quantum leaps and bounds, due to the competition with Zidlicky and Bergeron on the roster, and the development of Reitz.) And then, there’s Foster, due back (if you believe the club and the player) in January.
Skoula knows he’s on the bubble, and he’s playing like it, for the first time since he came here, IMO.
- Didn’t see the game but I am sure NiNY’s analysis is correct. Both the Wheller incident and the Mikko penalties at the end of the TBL game are abject lessons in the value of keeping your cool
- Johnnson is a great defenseman. Skoula does his job very well too.
Indeed and I agree that Skoula bashing at this point is so last year. No matter what Dan says, Backstrom* can’t get all the credit for the Wild being a top defensive team and I am sure Backstrom* would be the first to say it.
* Since there is almost no chance the Wild will extend Gaby for big money now, why isn’t DR working on an extension for Backstrom? Gotta give credit to the d-core and Mikko, but Backstrom is the team MVP to date.
Another writer reports Gaby heart LA:
The stock of Wild W Marian Gaborik has fallen sharply. He turned down a seven-year, $56-million deal before the start of the season, which made it clear he didn’t want to remain in Minnesota. While Wild GM Doug Risebrough offered Gaborik around the NHL for a player who can help right away, prospect and No. 1 pick, nobody is going to dare to touch Gaborik, who is sidelined indefinitely with a groin injury. He has suited up for only two games this season and isn’t even skating. Gaborik would like to sign with the Kings next year
http://www.edmontonsun.com/Sports/Hockey/2008/11/30/7583336-sun.html
I completely forgot to ask Lemaire about why he scratched Clutterbuck. Brian Stensaas is on tomorrow and maybe he can ask that follow.
Git ‘er done, Stencils.
Wonder how much the Kings would pay for damaged goods like Gaby. I do hope we get something for him. He is an exciting player–if and when he plays.
Would like to send a belated thank you to the Predators for their complete and utter lack of discipline last night. Hopefully, we will see the same kind of Oakland Raider-esque discipline next Saturday night.
C the Ice like 99 says:
Hey Putersh*t
Johnnson is a great defenseman. Skoula does his job very well too. Weller does not deserve to be compared to the fridge. You are a hockey ignoramous.
Now I’m getting defensive. Weller knocks in a goal and he can no longer be compared to Fridge. Christ, Fridge was the guy who was putting up all the points in the second half of last season and Weller is still trying to find a regular spot in the lineup. On top of that he get beat up by the little ball of hate. We should bring back that stiff we picked up from NY (Hall?) last year, and ship Weller. I predict Weller won’t make it through the season as a member of the Wild.
Yawnson is an enigma to me. What is his strength? Breakouts??? He averages 25 minutes per game and he’s got 1 goal and 7 assists. the league gives two assists on breakaway’s so the assist count doesn’t mean much. He’s not physical. I guess he’s not an idiot with the puck and that’s worth something.
Skoula has been playing better. I just wish he would use the body a little more. The guy looks like a brick s$#%house on the ice, but I rarely see him take anyone out.
woodcock - Once Gaby can play one full game, would you take Handzus (4 million cap hit for two more years) or Frolov (2.9 million hit next year) straight up for Gaby? Would this seem like a resonable deal if DR was trying to get a significant player, a prospect and No. 1 pick before the Hack Sack Saga? For me, if Gaby is still cool in the room, I would rather have him play the rest of the year for the Wild and enjoy his cap space on July 1. We all know DR’s UFA record is mixed but at this point the options are limited.
I don’t understand picking right now to bash the D.
We have the second-lowest GAA in the league right now (2.14 GA/gm) which is critical because we also have the 12th-worst GF/gm (2.68) in the league.
Whatever we’re paying our defense is currently worth every dime - unless of course you don’t like wins.
Word, Nick. And all that is with our best d-man playing forward.
Just got the chance to watch the game and I must say it was a very entertaining one. Nashville got dirty after that late hit by Weller for sure. It should be interesting in their next meeting. Koivu was a beast on his second goal. That was fantastic. Keep it up boys! Go Wild!
SGS, if Gaby were healthy and not disruptive I’d love to see him play well as we do have a playoff but not Cup team. But, I would like to get something for him altho you raise a good point about not tying up too much money so we can sign an FA. However, we do not seem to have much luck signing a big-time UFA so might prefer a trade.
PSchmidt–one need not make big hits to be an effective D. Our D are making the right plays–shutting down the other side from good chances and nicely and effectively moving the puck out of the zone. Hill made the big hits and then would leave the net unprotected. And, yes Johnsson and Skoula are playing shutdown D. Now, what happens if Foster is ready to play? I never was a big fan of his. I thought his main value was the big shot on the PP–which we now have. Maybe we move a D?
Now, what happens if Foster is ready to play? I never was a big fan of his. I thought his main value was the big shot on the PP–which we now have. Maybe we move a D?
good questions, wood.
I agree about Foster’s main value, though he HAD been playing his best overall hockey when he went down.
That said, between MAB and Zids on the PP, and if Skoula keeps up this level of play in our zone, then Foster is vestigial on this roster. Not sure who I’d want to move at that point, though. Maybe, and nto for the same reasons I would have said this before this season, Skoula? You can’t hope to get back more than a low pick for him, but maybe he’d be part of a larger deal? Should be interesting…
Boy, seeing that video of him after the game… that bad leg is still so skinny compared to the other one. He’s a LONG way off, IMO.
NiNY: We have the second-lowest GAA in the league right now (2.14 GA/gm) which is critical because we also have the 12th-worst GF/gm (2.68) in the league.
First off, I’m not tearing down our D. When I saw Tootoo take out our goalie and then Yawnson start a slap fight with Tootoo only to let the GOALIE come and take over it got under my skin. Tyler Durden, isn’t the first rule of playing Defense to protect the goalie. I mean it when I say I was embarassed for Yawnson. I took a shot a Skoula because he carried over the blue line and looked so confused I laughed out loud. The big lug is growing on me. Like a fungus, but he’s growing.
Re: the teams low GAA. Before we sign all our d-men to lifetime contracts we should debate how much of the low GAA is attributable to Jock’s goal stifling trap. But first I need to organize my sock drawer and dust the carpet.
One school of thought is that a good d-man is like a good referee. Never notice them until they screw up. Schultz/Skoula/Yawnson are this type of d-man.
another type of D-man is Zid/Burns/The Great Gazoo. They bring offense/excitement to the rush.
The ultimate D-man IMO is the Pronger/Niedermeyer type who brings it all: offense, defense, muscle and leadership.
Send Burns back to D. We’ve turned a premier D man into an above average wing.
- I could see the Wild moving a d-man but I agree with ms. c, Fosty’s broken leg can keep him out for a year easily.
- However, we do not seem to have much luck signing a big-time UFA so might prefer a trade.
No doubt but I think the Wild led by numbers 8 and 9 might be changing this and I also think what a healthy Gaby could give the Wild after Xmas and in the playoffs might trump Gaby’s current trade value. Plus, as the trade deadline draws closer, the chance the Wild could get a good established player from a playoff team seems like it would diminish. With all this stuff in play, I challenge anyone to say the Wild is a boring team
Alright - I’m with Nick that the SoH would have been in riot mode if the conditions were reversed. I missed the first period, so I can’t comment too much, but the 2nd and third definately looked like the Preds lost their composure. If that were to happen, we would have lit up the Wild too.
Johnsson’s main strength is getting the puck away from the net, and out of the defensive zone. Which, the last time I checked, is his job. I think anyway.
Nick is right there too. Right now the D cannot be faulted for anything.
I wanted to comment on something else, but I can’t find it and I have to go to f’ing work. Grr… ah well.
Enjoy Sunday all.
SGS-
The Wild is a boring team.
(No, I don’t really think that, but the challenge was to say it… not to mean it right?)
Puter- Here is my question to you. What is the “trap?” I know there are people on here who know what it is. Do you? If so, please explain it.
The first rule of defensemen is to keep the puck out of the net. Defending the goalie is just extra fun.
Shultz/ Skoula / Johnsson - three completely different types of players. Shultz is a stay at home d-man, Skoula is well, Skoula, but I’d say he is more a get in the way type guy, and Johnsson was brought in to be the Zidlicky type, but ended up a puck mover.
Defensemen are supposed to stay back as their first priority, not “create excitement” in the rush. Only when the all clear is sounded.
As much as I want to agree that the boys should bring excitement, that is not their job. Their job is to win, and they are, so…
Buddha - you got me, now go to work
NiNY - sure there would have been angst but, that alone did not lose the game for the preds. they lost their poise and couldn’t fight let the ref’s get in their head. a two goal lead is nothing in this league. they had every opportunity to come back but pouted after that start and took multiple senseless, lack of discipline penalties.
they can complain all they want but it isn’t why they lost.
Puters: is it “Jock’s (sic) goal stifling trap” that is also responsible for the Wild allowing the 17th-highest number of shots per game (29.64)?
I mean, if the system was responsible for our defensive performance, and not, say the execution of the players, then wouldn’t that system have yielded fewer than 56th percentile shots against per game?
Yawnson is a “puck mover”. I like it. So I guess I was right. His strength is breakouts.
I’m not saying he should be waived. He’s a smart Dman who won’t make many bad decisions. He’ll never be Scott Stevens but for crying out loud if the other teams agitator takes out your goalie, Yawnson has to grow a pair and stand up for him. Intimidation is part of the game. It’s like motivation, you just know when it’s there or when it’s not.
Re: the trap, no I can’t explain it. I e-mailed Russo and asked him to provide an explanation of it last year. He said he’d think about it. He may have done it, but I didn’t see it.
Please enlighten me and explain the trap.
G*: I’m not saying it is the reason they lost.
All I’m saying is that if the skate had been on the other foot, Wild fans would be still be going nuts complaining about stuff.
I’m saying we would be inundated with “the refs screwed us” ranting from other fans in here right now. That’s all.
Defensemen are supposed to stay back as their first priority, not “create excitement” in the rush.
that was the Wild philosophy until this off-season, when they brought in Zid and Gazoo. And I’m glad they did.
The ultimate D-man IMO is the Pronger/Niedermeyer type who brings it all: offense, defense, muscle and leadership.
Calgary’s Pheneuf can also be thrown in with this group.
The Trap
Intoblivion playing the part of Carnac.
Puterschmidt playing the part of Ed McMahon.
What is the oposite of Race Horse Hockey?
Most teams play some form of the trap. Some (Wild) do it better than others though. And the trap is more effective if you have a good goalie.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The neutral zone trap is a defensive ice hockey strategy used by a team to prevent an opposing team from proceeding through the neutral zone (the area between both blue lines) by forcing turnovers in that area. The strategy is generally used to level the playing field for teams that are not as offensively talented as their opponent, though the trap can also be used by teams simply looking to protect a lead late in the game.
The most recognizable implementation of the trap sees the defense stationing four of their players in the neutral zone and one forechecker in the offensive zone. As the offensive team starts to move up the ice, the forechecker (generally the centre) will cut off passing lanes to other offensive players by staying in the middle of the ice, forcing the puck carrier to either sideboard. The defensive wingers—typically placed on or near the red line—will be positioned by the boards to challenge the puck carrier, prevent passing, or even keep opponents from moving through. The two defencemen who are positioned on or near the blue lines are the last defence, and must stall the opposition long enough for the wingers to reset themselves and continue the trap.
The trap reached prominence with the New Jersey Devils’ 1995 Stanley Cup victory, and has been widely criticized for reducing scoring and making the game less exciting for fans.[1] It has, however, proven to be very effective, especially in the playoffs.[citation needed] During the 2004-05 NHL lockout, serious discussion about opening the game to offense was done by both the NHL and NHL Players Association (NHLPA). Because it is easier to trap when engaging in obstruction and restraining fouls, such as hooking and holding, which slow the progress of faster players who can evade the trapping team, the NHL ordered officials to call every obstruction penalty, regardless of circumstance. The prohibition on two-line passes from behind a team’s blue line to the other side of the red line was also lifted. Long passes are one method for breaking out of the trap, as it avoids the need to navigate through defenders in the neutral zone. With passes across the red line from behind the puck carrier’s blue line permitted under the revised NHL rules, the effectiveness of the neutral zone trap is greatly diminished. Defensive minded teams have reverted to a “third man high” system where only two offensive players will commit down low, allowing the third to join the defense and impede progress across the blue line.
And yes NiNY, there would be mayhem going on if the skate was on the other foot. I would still be saying it wasn’t the reason for the loss though if all is equal.
By the way Puter, weren’t you the one who brought up “Jock’s (sic) goal stifling trap”?
Why then, would you need to be elightened and have the trap explained to you since you already spoke of it as if you were some enlightened hockey mind…? Doesn’t make sense.
NiNY says:
>>then Foster is vestigial<<
Glad to see you are keeping up with the word for a day calendar you got for Xmas last year. Down to the last few pages.
Did Weller really deserve a penalty on the Suter hit? The touch up, the hit and the whistle seemed pretty bang bang to me and I can’t recall the exact wording of the rule. It was also pretty shallow into the corner. I am trying to figure out the ref’s thinking in that situation. Weber overreacted. It would have been one thing to give Weller a bump and a face wash, but he was essentially 3rd man in with fists flying. The Wild were faced with almost the same set of circumstances late in the previous game going 5 on 3 because of Koivu’s mouth. The reason it became no big deal is because the Wild didn’t unravel and give up two goals to lose. The Preds got what they deserved. For all the talk about Weber, Koivu stripped him naked one on one and walked in for that goal. That ought to be on highlight films for the rest of the season. I have watched it a dozen times. The determination and the way he just plain muscled Weber off the puck is a play for the ages. Only thing better will be when he does it to Phaneuf or Pronger.
Weller needs to study the book on tootoo before they go round again.
Oops. Sorry for the repeat of DD
By the way Puter, weren’t you the one who brought up “Jock’s (sic) goal stifling trap”?
Why then, would you need to be elightened and have the trap explained to you since you already spoke of it as if you were some enlightened hockey mind…? Doesn’t make sense.
MKiA, first off thanks for the Wiki explanation. My version would have been, “to clog up center ice and put 5 defenders on the blue line.”
Yours was much more detailed. Sincerely, thanks. I never thought to go to Wiki. I guess I thought there was more to it.
I can’t claim credit, thank whoever this guy is.
Frei, Terry (2008-08-04). “Ranking the NHL coaches”. ESPN.com. Retrieved on 2008-08-05. “”[Jacques Lemaire, a prominent advocate of the neutral zone trap] helped drag down the entertainment quotient in this league”"
Why did you ask the Don to explain the trap? You already captured the spirit of the thing anyways. I thought you wanted more detail than “clog up the neutral zone”. I guess we have a failure to ommunicate. I am not sure what your angle is.
I’m under the assumption that most teams use some version of the trap. Like I said, some better than others.
I thought there was more to it than clog up the neutral zone. I thought there was something else that made Jock such a wizard.
Oh, and again, I’m not MKia. Why ask questions, get answers, and then get glib when you get the answers?
touche~
I said Sincerely. Surely that’s not glib.
Personally, I think it has alot to do with instructing players and the dicipline he instills. I notice that all the guys he coaches seem to have their sticks in the passing lanes and are positioned more religiously than other teams.
The other teams seem to appear like they are more going through the motions more so than we do.
That’s my take anyway. Grain of salt. It takes hardworking talented players too.
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