Wild 2, Colorado Avalanche 0
Posted on January 4th, 2009 – 6:35 PMBy Michael Russo
Owen Nolan scored the two-most clutch goals in his storied career tonight. For a week now, I’ve been planning an off-day story on the guy to run Tuesday, but a loss or a monster game by somebody else or a bad injury or something unexpected could have put a wrinkle into that.
But Nolan pots two in the first period. What a pro!
(Hey, I feel we know each other well enough by now that you’re more than aware it’s all about me, me, me, me and me).
I guess the two goals helped the Wild, too, which rode them all the way to the end for its first-ever shutout against the Avalanche. That’s 61 all-time meetings — 48 in the regular season, 13 in the postseason.
The Wild, 3-0-1 in its past four in this building, won on the road for the first time since Nov. 29, snapping a six-game road losing streak.
And don’t look now, but the struggling, under-talented Wild, as first reported by the Star Tribune on Dec. 31, are 2-0-1 in its past three and back in a playoff slot.
Don’t believe everything you read 
Of Nolan’s nine tallies, six are on the power play. Niklas Backstrom stopped 33 Colorado shots for his 13th career shutout. He’s 9-2-1 against Colorado. Only Miikka Kiprusoff’s got more (11) wins vs. the Avs since the start of 2006-07.
This was not a game the Wild sat back. The Wild fired 66 shots at Peter Budaj — 37 on net, 16 that were blocked by Avalanche defenders and 13 that missed the net.
The Wild played a smart road game, and when it broke down, Backstrom was solid. Short shifts were the key after playing Detroit last night in Minnesota.
As usual, Darcy Tucker lost his mind at times. My favorite was when he took a three-foot leap into that king pugilist Kim Johnsson. The refs saw it for a charging, and then when play stopped, Tucker went after Johnsson and started screaming at him. He probably was saying, “Why are you still walking?”
Cal Clutterbuck, who drew a first-period retaliatory minor on Adam Foote leading to Nolan’s power-play goal, then goaded Tucker into a 10-minute misconduct late in the game. Tucker held Brent Burns’ stick for a minor, then Clutterbuck said, “Good penalty $&^*$#” to make Tucker turn and go after him.
No hits credited to Clutterbuck tonight. I can remember at least three off the top of my head, including the one on Foote. I guess the off-ice officials were too busy counting shots that were five feet wide.
Eric Belanger was an unsung guy tonight. He blocked a Ruslan Salei blast with his left foot on a penalty kill. He was in visible pain, but stayed out there to create a breakout before laboring to the bench.
Burns was very good, as was Nick Schultz. Krys Kolanos got second-line duty, had an assist, took four shots and won 8 of 10 draws. Nolan had seven shots. I liked the energy rookie Colton Gillies brought. Pierre-Marc Bouchard was very good. Backstrom raved about the job Johnsson did back-checking on the Wojtek Wolski breakaway. Wolski couldn’t cut inside, so Backstrom just had to make the save, he said.
Foote left the game with an arm injury tonight, and I saw Tucker coming out of the x-ray room after the game. So Colorado, ravaged by injuries, looks like they keep on coming.
OK, I know this was a rushed blog, but I’ve got a red-eye tonight for Boston via JFK. I cannot even convey to you how much I am looking forward to this cross-country trek. The Wild isn’t leaving Denver until later than expected Monday morning. Practice, which isn’t until 3:30 anyway, may be delayed because of that. I’ll blog after practice, but I anticipate it will be lightly attended.
Anyways, Nolan story likely coming for Tuesday. I need story ideas. The Bruins have anybody with Minnesota ties?
—————————————-
Warmups have begun.
Derek Boogaard and Benoit Pouliot are the forwards scratched.
Seven defensemen are in warmups. If Marek Zidlicky plays, it’ll be between John Scott and Erik Reitz. With Boogaard out, it would not shock me if Scott plays over Reitz (maybe Scott would introduce himself to Darcy Tucker), especially if you read the previous post. Jacques ain’t happy with Reitz. And indeed Reitz is scratched.
Funny story: Before the game, Mario Tremblay called Brent Burns over. Next thing I know, Burns yells, “Roose, did I complain to you last night how much I played?”
I’m like, “No, I was in Denver. I wasn’t even at the game.” Turns out Tremblay was just messing with Burns, who bit.
He played a career-high 33:33 last night.
If you didn’t read the previous post yet, give it a twirl. I’ll be back on before the game to update which defenseman is out.
282 Responses to "Wild 2, Colorado Avalanche 0"
i sure would like to see john scott again. he couldn’t have played too bad last night.
Hard to screw up too bad in 6 minutes. But I agree, it would be nice for him to get some quality time and get comfortable out there enough to start testing the waters with a more physical game.
I wouldn’t mind seeing him either. Especially with Tucker and Laperriere running around.
I wonder if Darcy gets his comeuppance for the “hit” he put on Schultz last game?
how’s he been with the aero’s? i think JL should give him some more time tonight.
See yoou guys in a bit… need some cool-off time after the Vikes garbage I just witnessed. Go Wild!
sweet, its marney
The Wild need to keep up this good play. We need some Minnesota sport giving us a little hope.
T-Jack was not up to it but since I don’t really care much about football I guess it doesn’t bother me too much.
Oh, yeah, I could see Tucker and Lappy pizzing Scotty right off. He’s not a good “fighting for the hell of it” kind of fighter. But when he’s mad… hooboy. Look out.
And maybe, just maybe, the war room had a meeting on what over the crossbar means today… we can only hope…
someone said earlier..last night’s effort = 2pts tonight.
heck yes
Yippee, the Wild in HD tonight!
He’s a bit of a pylon, netminder, but he’s GREATLY improved this year. I’ve said it’s like he grew a hockey sense over the summer.
sweet. be back later!
Lappy’s a hoser.
If we play like last night, there is no doubt we will win. Go Wild.
Lappy needs to be put down.
Avs and Nuks are divisional games that require points.
We’ll see early whether their effort level matches last night’s game.
I like Finns. Especially if they are named Koivu and Backstrom.
Okay. Gotta go try my best at hockey now. Go Wild.
After last night’s game I hope we just abuse the Avs to take out our frustration. Great effort, just a shame that we miss a point due to a blown call
Green*, just to pick up on your exchange with Mike the Wings fan back there … IMO, the large difference between the Wings and, say a team like the Wild, is their freakin’ talent. JL wants his team to play puck possession, too - easier said than done. Give credit to the Wings organization for accumulating the talent, but no one should kid themselves into thinking the Wings have some radically different style than the rest of the West (or league, for that matter).
IGoW!
IGoW!!!!!!!!!
Noticed Gabby was wearing a Porsche jacket instead of any Wild related garb in the little snippet of the interview they showed. Does Porsche have a hockey team?
I like Irish born, Canadian raised old guys as well.
Me too
GOOOOOOAAAAAALLL!!!!! NOLAN!!!!
owen x2!!!!!!
And again, IGoW!!
McCloed (McCloud? whatever) is a tool.
IGoW AGAIN!!!!!!
HATE McCloed…and Lappy…and Foote…and Tucker. Does that make me a bad person?
I picked up Nolan for my FH because Perry is suspended for 4 games.
Thank you Nolan!
No Photog, that does not make you a bad person. Acting on your “hatred” by flinging poo or sharp objects makes you a bad person. But just have negative thoughts about them makes you normal. At least thats what I keep telling myself.
Good. I haven’t gotten to the poo/sharp object flinging stage yet. Is it just me or do the Avs have an abnormally large amount of tools on their team
Bruno-bury that.
Nope it’s not just you, lots of tools and hosers on the Avs.
how awesome is IGoW? And how snakebitten is poor Bruno?!
wow nice move shep, gotta capitalize though
The Mr and I think that the biggest thing Nolan brought to the team is what we call the “grizzled old vet type of heart.” It’s what has been missing since Walz retired.
Agreed
Lappy go bye-bye, gets extra long intermission…
Lapierre wants to start a fight with Nolan! He wants to get our best guy off the ice for 5 minutes.
Heck no.
Scotty should go introduce himselft to Lappy
I love Nolan just ignoring Lappy, like he’s ignoring a little kid who keeps saying, “Dad I want ice cream, i want ice cream I want ice cream…..”
“When Nolan told his wife he wanted to visit Hat Trick Town tonight, she said, ‘Wear the fox hat.’”
NiNY, lmao! i think nolan will be my favorite player again! he used to be in the 90’s. the guy is good. talent, leadership, and grit.
Olden Nolan has made a big jump in my respect level.
Last week when he asked to play when he was still injured was big to me. He showed lots of leadership to the team when they needed it bad.
Now that he has become a goal scoring machine too, I am really glad he is here.
Funny, I was never a fan of his before and thought only whoop-ie when the Wild signed him.
In fact with the opposition I thought he was maybe a little overrated.
NETminder, I have always liked Nolan as well. I don’t understand the people that gave Dougie a hard time for picking him up.
Just caught up to the live feed. Pretty good period by the Wild… thanks to a little help by a lackluster Avs team. Oh, and thank the lord the game is in HD for a change. HD hockey is great.
Kimmy must not have been hurt to bad at the start of the game seeing as he’s back. Puck must not have hit him as hard as it looked.
kimmy is strong like aluminum
I think the problem with Nolan was not the player but that DR paid more than necessary. Its in FA so I expect some overpayment but it was more than I would have liked ($2.75 million each for 2 years).
why is that roughing?
Was Johnsson injured? I didn’t hear anything about it?
It was Zids that was sick.
Johnsson took a puck to the ear early in the 1st
NETminder: I can’t take credit for that one.
Because it happened right over top of Budji (sp?).
Come on, Mittens! Shoot! Clutterbuck!
Anyone believe Gabby when he said that he would like to play for the Wild again? I tend to think he runs outa town on July 1
OK, the blog messing up is getting to me. I’ve had to retype my info every time I’ve posted. Even the usual refresh doesn’t do anything. Is it just me tonight or is this happening to everyone?
it has happened to me a lot recently too
BG I have not had an issue yet…
Photog
+1
I got a lot of crap from people for calling him a prima donna right after the lockout. Now those same people are doing a 180.
Usually when I miss ten minutes the score is reversed. How pleasant.
I will hold out the hope that Gaby will be traded even though he is injured… granted we won’t get much… but hey, something is better than nothing.
Tuckers a tool. Take it to them on the PP boys.
Nice job keeping the pressure on
HUGE save by Backs there.
GREAT SAVE BACKS!!
Nice save Backs!!
Have we signed him yet?
come on boys, nail in the coffin time
Tuckers a tool
Funny, the Wife and I were just talking about that fact.
Seriously, the AVS L-O-V-E the penalty box in this game. I am cool with that.
Me too. I’m all for parking Nolan in front of the goal and throwing pucks in for a tip all night
Funny, the Wife and I were just talking about that fact.
talking about tucker’s tool? not sure if i find that funny exactly. interesting yes.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
that was close man…Wolski almost broke one there…I still don’t love Butch on the blueline on the PP
I still don’t love Butch on the blueline on the PP
how bout skoula?
Footers out for the rest of the game….awwwww
Skoula scares me more when he handles the puck down by our net than the blue line
Who else do we have that will play the point? PMB likes to pass, perfect for him.
G*, more about how he IS a tool… not about his actual tool… you missed an importnat linking verb in there 
how bout skoula?
same ting.
I know I’m soooo bummed that Foote won’t be back. Its just so sad.
That wrap around looked a little scary.
i don’t excuse you terhaar, get the name right.
Who else do we have that will play the point?
Uh…MAB, Zids, Burns or even Kimmy?
PMB likes to pass,
which is why he’s better on the half-wall on our PP, IMO. The point guys generally either set up the half-wall guy or try to bomb away.
MAB is out. So we have Burns, Zids, Johnsson, and PMB.
When MAB was playing, PMB rarely was on the point.
Why does Terhaar keep calling Ryan Smyth of the Avs, Ryan Johnson? Bring Al Shaver out of retirement! Oh yeah, like I said before, Chilly should have went with Gus.
If a player (Gabby) gets put on the longer disability list I understand there is some CAP relief for the club.
My question is: are there other effects (to either the club or the player) that might affect the club decision not to apply that designation to him?
Chilly should have went with Gus.
wrong blog pal
MAB is out. So we have Burns, Zids, Johnsson, and PMB.
When MAB was playing, PMB rarely was on the point.
hey, you asked!
Gabby: “Well, hopefully I get to stay here. I have said it before that I would like to stay here…”
Translation: I hope Doug gets fired,a dn Jacques quits, and I get a GM that will pay me BANK and a coach that will let me float an entire game.
Just helping you reach your answer.
… and I get a blogger who can actually spell “and” correctly while bashing me…
jeesh
Al Shaver was the best I have heard, ever. Any sport!
Easy to be spoiled with announcers like him.
Just helping you reach your answer.
but, I didn’t ask a question ??
PMB being perfect for the point is your deal.
To those who want to trade Backs, I say just rememeber it’s not so easy finding goalies who can steal games. Backs is one. Sign him!
Did you guys notice that Gaborik was not mentioned at all in yesterday’s game at all? I usually don’t watch the in-between period shows so I could be wrong. It was the biggest elephant in the room.
I wonder if its because it was a Wild production vs a FSN production.
Don’t know if anyone saw this on ESPN today, but I thought I would pass along LeBrun’s take on Gaborik:
However, one NHL executive told us Saturday that perhaps the Wild could still move him to a team that’s desperately trying to move a long-term salary. The theory is that some NHL GMs are feeling the heat from ownership to cut payroll moving forward because of the economic downturn. The trade would be apples for apples this season in terms of salary, but, obviously, Gaborik comes off the books after the season. Food for thought.
So in other words, the Wild would be conducting a typical DR trade where we would get jobbed with a mediocre player with a long term expensive salary for Gaborik, so the other team could get cap relief after he leaves. (see Johnsson). This is absolutely stupid. We’d be better off selling off his exclusive negotatiating rights to LA next summer because we all know he is going to sign there.
Nick, I see where you are coming from with your PMB comment but there really are not a lot of options. Zids, MAB, Burns and PMB are the PP guys. I can agree that PMB would be good along the half wall, but there’s not a lot of room for flexibility in our PP units IMO.
Gaby gave the expected answer to a dumb question that shouldn’t have been asked. Not defending him but what else do you expect him to say? He isn’t going to say I hate here & am running as fast as I can with my bum hip/groin. He is going to give the standard line.
Yep that is my thing and I stick by it.
Well, then just helping you understand that we don’t have anyone else on that can play on the point now that MAB is out.
we don’t have anyone else on that can play on the point now that MAB is out.
we have skoula
If your thing is that his penchant for passing makes him perfect for the point on the PP, then you’ve got a funny thing. The high level passing is conducted from the half-wall. Therefore him being a passing savant is actually wasted by putting him at the point.
I never said I didn’t understand why he was there tonight. I didn’t even imply it. I just said that I don’t like him there.
PMB over Skoula at the point — hands down.
correction: the high level passing is conducted from the half wall or in Gretzky’s office.
careful NiNY. when you go againt sunshine, 6 or 7 cats come out of nowhere and start to berate you.
can y’all belive that hannan is being paid 4.5mil per?
And there is not much choice for that position at the moment.
Him at the point allows for a little more cycling down since he tends to hold the puck a little longer than most.
Sakic’s not out with broken fingers, he’s out with overt stupidity.
Smyth always looks like he skates in a snowplow. Like both feet are pointed in at the toes.
Damn, nice shot by Butch.
Maybe he’s slightly pigeon toed. Would account for why he looks like that Nick.
Did Stewart block that with his nuts?
He must have. It dropped him like a sack of crap
true, Band. I guess it’s more when he’s trying to slow down or is gliding along the wall looking to dish a pass or something like that, than when he’s actually skating…
smart play by Butch to hold it along the boards there, instead of dishing it back like we know he likes to do…this way it ate some clock - and didn’t create a TO.
Butch has played well tonight IMO. It seems like he has had a lot of TOI too…
WHAT A SAVE!
Wow Backstrom!
Another awesome save there!
SRV must have pleased JL tonight, if he’s getting shifts this late.
2 Avs lying on the ice below our goal line there…grenade!
Tucker…what a loser.
granato might not care for that move
Nice… classic Tucker there. What an assbag.
Hilarious… The only way that Tucker could surprise me is if he shivved somebody.
Give Tucker the instigator!
The Avs announcers are the third set that have finally aknowledged that although Lemaire is the coach here, the trap is alive and well in multiple houses in the NHL.
And they love Burns and Backstrom, so the constant bombardment by the little wendy’s ads at the bottom of the screen is tolerable.
And let’s hear it for Tucker….. Classless no matter what uniform he’s wearing…
go home Darce. Your night’s done pal.
Clutter must have called him ‘Francis’?
Jordan, you know, “shiv” is one of those words you just don’t see enough of today. Well done…lol
The look on his face was hilarious in that closeup. ATX I couldn’t agree more
El Gato: POTD!!!!
Did tucker get an instigator on that?
+1 darkknight
what is going on with this team?! I was just starting to get comfortable with thinking they were DOA….!! (Not complaining though.)
Nick, I knew you would get the reference.
ElG: seriously the funniest thing I’ve read all week.
Glad to see Backs didn’t get jinxed on the SO. Maybe my fantasy team will win a whopping 3 catergories this week.
All-in-all I would say that win looked pretty easy for the Wild. I like that. Backs was a wall, which helps.
No, instigator but a game misconduct. Disappointed.
They know now that they can’t depend on Gabby to score goals for them and Nolan probably walked into the locker room and threatened to open up a can of Irish whoopazz on anyone who wasn’t giving 100 percent!
Thanks to Nolan and Backstrom!
The dude on the AVS postgame just galled Nolan Greybeard!! Awesome!
You mean Nolan might be that grizzled vet knocking heads in the locker room we’ve been missing since Walzy quit?
Okay, what’s this “Francis” reference? The only thing I can think of is “It’s not for sale Francis!” from PWBA.
G*: Mitchell just pulled a classic “I’m tough when my boyz are there to support me, and the linesmen too.”
Austin: Stripes.
Mild ‘effin hockey. 2-0, clutch and grab, no fighting, garbage, boring hockey.
When will Lemaire choke on his gum and go away? That was the most boring crap I’ve ever had to endure. I want that two and a half hours of my life back Mild.
Nice to see a Wild player wearing Wild gear, instead of a jacket that was received as a throw in for buying a $450K automobile from said manufacturer!
After tonight’s win, we are back in the top 8.
Dave needs decaf?
That was the most boring crap I’ve ever had to endure.
Clearly “Dave” isn’t a CPA. I’ve heard some of those CE events they have to sit through are actually designed by Dr. Kevorkian.
ahhhh thanks Nick… I have not seen that movie in awhile. The only thing I remember from that atm is “Yes? You speak some English? Son of bitch. Sh!t.”
Eddie Shore?
Old School Hockey?
Austin: it’s worth a spot in your NetFlix queue. There are easily enough quality laughs to make it worthwhile.
One only hopes somebody nails Darcy at some point. Granato cannot be happy that Darcy ends any chance he has to come back. Solid game–a little scrambly in 3rd but we are shooting the puck.
indeed Nick.. I respect the Stripes, but I just haven’t watched it in awhile.
Ahh Stripes. The locker room scene is a classic. You touch my stuff, I’ll kill you. You call me Francis….
Nick, you haven’t lived until you have sat through a riviting seminar discussion concerning FAS 48 - Revenue Recognition when Right of Return Exists!
Mitchell just pulled a classic “I’m tough when my boyz are there to support me, and the linesmen too.”
tough guy
when did he grow such a huge vagina?
nothing more exciting than financial accounting standards, El Gato!
when did he grow such a huge vagina?
I hear they run rampant in Vancouver…
FASB. Omigod. Worse than what I do.
Everyone have good night, Dave, good luck getting that 2.5 hours back. Don’t ‘box the clown’ one hundred and fifty times and you will!
how bout the hair on the dude on the right on the dallas broadcast.
Night all. I’m turning in. Maybe the dogs will actually let me sleep in tomorrow….. yeah right, like that will ever happen.
Last 3 games:
Shots: 37, 35, 32
Faceoffs: 56.8%, 50%, 52.8%
Vs Calgary (12/29)
24 shots
45.4% on faceoffs.
2-0-1 in that stretch for 5 pts.
Still not playing a 60-minute game, but much, much better than almost all of the December games.
“Did you guys notice that Gaborik was not mentioned at all in yesterday’s game at all? I usually don’t watch the in-between period shows so I could be wrong. It was the biggest elephant in the room.
I wonder if its because it was a Wild production vs a FSN production.”
I wondered the same thing. How the hell is it not news that Gabby’s getting surgery. I assumed that Terhaar and Greenlay are paid by the Wild entertainment division (MSG, WMD, I can’t remember the acronym) and they were told to not bring it up.
The WIld need not finish higher then 7 or 8. I think that this is the ideal position for them. Backstroms play against Colorado was unbelievable
Francis…classic El G.
Dave’s a mess.
Not quite the effort from Saturday night but it was good enough for 2 points.
Backstrom was not to be outdone by Harding. Glad it is dueling goalies not dueling sieves.
Could IGoW give B-B-Benny a transfusion?
Man, do the talking heads have a bias against the Wild. “The Wild had just enough offense to win tonight, but they’re really going to miss Gaborik.” We haven’t had Gaby for the whole season, basically, and we’re still in playoff contention - give us some credit!
Sorry - that was on NHL on the Fly.
I want that two and a half hours of my life back Mild.
What did you want back after Columbus 6, Avs 1 at home on Friday night?
Pewterschmidt: I agree with you that those guys are instructed very closely on what to say, and what to do. I dont read Wild.com or really listen to them on the tv when it involves matters of the Wild, as youu know it will involve the PR spin.
You know that the Wild organized the exclusive interview with Greenlay so they can control the questions asked. They wanted to have Gaby speak in a interview and answer the pre-selected questions picked out by the Wise men (Reusse) You know this happened becasue Gabys answers were different then previously spoken
I detest the talking heads too Heather.
I have the same jacket that Gaby was wearing. Hundred and twenty bucks at the Puma store at the MOA. The clerk tried to get me to purchase the Porsche as well, but my credit limit is about $400,000 shy of being able to do that.
I read wild.com to discover who is injured, whose on the ice practicing, and listen to Lemaire’s unedited remarks. You know where they are coming from along with other news sources so one can make informed conclusions.
Sometimes this information is provided before Russo or Shipley writes about it.
I don’t think Gaborik is getting much help from the Wild. DR hates him now and if he could, he would blackball Gaborik.
Gaborik’s answers on FSN were consistent with what I have read in both papers. He didn’t deviate much at all.
“Of Nolan’s nine power-play tallies, six are on the power play.”
Now that’s talent!
Yay! Go Wild! I was dreading looking at the my feed reader to see that they lost when I got home.
Wow, just saw the goal Kolanos set up there for Nolan. Sweet. Nice to see his great wrap-around move working in the big show there. He just has hockey sense for days.
I know I’m on a post hockey high here, but damn if I’m not deliriously happy for my Houston guys that are up. Anybody who continues to whine that “Houston is no help” is automatically an idiot in my book now.
OMG, Backstrom is huge, too. Wow. What a game! Even with a stream of Wild to the penalty box.
I love when Cluts is skating to build speed… he kinda does this hoppy run thing that looks like a bunny. He’s awesome, my Clutterbunny.
FTA “I need story ideas. The Bruins have anybody with Minnesota ties? ”
Blake wheeler, from MN, former Gopher
Phil Kessel, From WI, Former Gopher, First WI native to play for the Gophers
Mark Stuart, From MN, Former CC Tiger.
I’m guessing you were kidding, but you never know 
Regarding Dumb and Dumber’s “objectivity,” it was a year or two ago that one of them mentioned on the air that a Wild player (Rolston or Parrish, as I recall) said they were playing better since switching from a Mission stick to another brand (Easton, RBK, whatever.)
A friend in the Wild organization told me that Naegle immediately put in a call and said that if the announcer ever mentioned another brand of stick again, the announcer would soon be looking for work elsewhere.
These guys aren’t reporters, they’re just singing for their supper every night. And doing it badly, to boot.
Ahhh, I love Burnzie for sticking up for Cluts there with Tucker. Awesome game.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
[…] ugly and obnoxious about Minnesota’s 2-0 win in Denver on Sunday. First-hand accounts had the Wild directing 66 shots toward Avs goalie Peter Budaj (37 on target) and exposing Backstrom to 33 on the other end. […]
kj: They’ll have to find Pouliot first, he’s so far back in ‘Chateau Bow-Wow’ he may never emerge to get that transfusion form IGoW…
Goalieguy: +1 for your D&D’er comments. These two company shills are just that…shills. The only objectivity they know is where to go for dinner.
Darcy Tucker = last place. Doesn’t even rate Boogaard being in the lineup.
Great game by ‘da boys’ last night. Hopefully they keep it up as they head for Boston.
FYI - random trade rumor:
The Los Angeles Kings say their goalie search is on hold. With the emergence of Jonathan Quick, they dumped Jason LaBarbera, dealing him to Vancouver. Atlanta’s Kari Lehtonen, who’s fallen out of favour with the Thrashers, could possibly be traded for a forward like Patrick O’Sullivan.
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Sports/Matheson+Hockey+World/1140036/story.html
I don’t get it. If their goalie search is on hold and they’re happy with Quick, why would they trade for Lehtonen?
What has been nice is that the boys have not turtled up in the third period the last two games, trying to protect a lead. Seeing them continue to apply pressure against the Dead Wings and Snowflakes in the 3rd, while holding a lead was encouraging. Maybe, dare I type, this will become a trend.
WRT: You made Puck Daddy’s blog man! Well done!
Wow, crazy Nucks/Stars game last night. Who knew Barbs had that stuff in him?
“The Wild get the win thanks to Owen Nolan’s pair.” -NHL On The Fly
Has anything truer ever been said?
Ughghgh…. I made it all the way through the Christmas season without getting sick and now I wake up today with a horrible cold. Stupid cold.
What happened at the Nucks/Stars game that was crazy? I didn’t see it so …. fill me in will ya.
Wish more of the Wild would look at Nolan as an example. Not because of his “ruggedness”, but because he goes to the net. Little man by the name of Dino Cicarelli carved out a nice little career by going to the net. Billy Tyne was asked why go all the way to the Flemish Cap? He replied: “Because that’s where the fish are.” Ergo, why go to the front of the net? “Because that’s where the goals are.”
Off topic a little, has the free preview of Center Ice through DirecTV ended? Great timing, I was really looking forward to the WJC final tonight.
Deep,
1) Flemish Cap
2) Billy Tyne
3) Ergo
I’ll start my google search now. Please dumb it down going forward.
Isn’t the WJC final on the NHL Network?
“The Wild get the win thanks to Owen Nolan’s pair.” -NHL On The Fly
Has anything truer ever been said?
Gold.
POTD, too.
WRT: You made Puck Daddy’s blog man! Well done!
i’m not seeing it…
Pewter: Perfect Storm.
G*: it’s the link at the very bottom of the post about the Mule’s goal.
White Squuuuuuuaaaaaallllll!!!!!
I watched The Perfect Storm for the 927th time last night. The Flemish Cap is a fishing spot about 550 miles or so off the coast of Glouster (?). Billy Tyne was the captain of the Andrea Gail, a sword fish boat that sunk in October ‘91 when it got caught in a hurricane. Prior to getting to the Flemish Cap, Tyne was aksed why he would go that far east. He replied “That’s where the fish are”.
Ergo = therefore or hence.
NiNY: Aw, gee, shucks, thanks…
And the comment from NHL: On The Fly about Nolan:
Priceless…
WJC is on NHL Network, but I don’t get that channel. I was eating up up the free preview these past few days, so I guess I can’t complain.
I try.
Good gravy, I sure don’t feel like working today.
Anyone want to come help me take down the last of my Christmas decorations? I haven’t progressed very far, keep stopping and watching On the Fly. Hockey very distracting today.
My friend H came over the other night to watch the game. She had never seen Slapshot before. I was shocked and horrified. So after the game ended, we put in the DVD and watched it. She is now educated.
Ms C, today???
I don’t feel much like working any day!
Yeah, it’s pretty much every day for me, too, Goody.
BG, thank you for getting her educated. No excuse to have not seen Slapshot if you’re a hockey fan. I think I need that and Youngblood in my collection. I know Youngblood is terrible but I can’t help but be fond of it.
Don’t forget Mystery, Alaska. Pond hockey rocks.
if you’re into pond hockey, and movies about it, check out the movie Pond Hockey, recently released on DVD. A lot of it will be familiar to you Minnesotan hockey fans…
Koivu had his nose into that skirmish with Tucker too MissConduct.
I love the part in Mystery Alaska where the guy gets drunk and takes the Zamboni. That’s funny.
Is there anything in bennys contract keeping him from getting sent down? seems like KK wants bennys spot.
i want benny’s spot! but i can’t skate backwards and crossover to my right! but at least i try! i think that makes me more deserving the BP!
Michael-
Story ideas? Isn’t there an obtuse Florida/Boston/MN connection in the air? Of course, it is always about you, you and you.
I think KK has BP’s spot already. From the way it sounds, BP is getting skated to the point where, 1) he quits, or 2) he figures out that it will not kill him to really try on a constant effort during games.
I was rooting for BP, but I think KK brings more and we need more now.
KK is also better eye candy than Poolboy. I know it’s not a good point but that picture MsC has of KK smiling is nummy.
why is it KK looks a little hunchback? i hope it’s just his pads.
I completely agree about KK, BG.
I like the players I like based mostly on a skill/effort basis, but tend to like them a little bit better if they make my eyes happy.
Yep JMP totally know what you mean. For example: Burnsie’s a hell of a Dman, but sure does help when he slumps that he looks good with his shirt off.
I need to find some lunch. Both the food kind and the reading kind.
That’s my girl, BG. You too, JMP. Though summertime, bulked up, bald Benny was looking pretty good.
I think it’s his pads, Netminder, though the story I have in my head is that concussion shortened his neck a bit.
sure does help when he slumps that he looks good with his shirt off.
LMAO
Word.
my wife says to me last night during the game, “nolan is really cute for an old guy!” i was like thanks! he’s only 3-4 yrs older than me!!
Yeah, there’s “athlete old” and then there’s “normal people old”… two different animals.
Sunshine, where on the Wild sites are Lemaire’s post game comments found?
Are they text? Or, audio?
Nolan also looks older because of the grey hair. Although NETminder, your wife is right about Nolan.
Ice, try Wild TV, lots of pressers (pre and post game) there. Also can find lots of the commercials and interviews there.
“I was rooting for BP, but I think KK brings more and we need more now.”
Cowbell or offense?
“why is it KK looks a little hunchback?”
I think he’s wearing football shoulder pads.
Yeah, if we are going the girly eye candy route, I vote for Mikko and Hards. Shep too. I am just happy, we won and I got tickets for the Avs game on birthday!
Cowbell!!!
I know its a little out there but hear me out.
Since we are playing the Bruins, Manny’s knee injury and last year’s season ending surgery kind of parallel’s Gaborik’s surgery. I can’t recall if after he got injury in January 2007 if any specialists or the Wild doctors informed Manny that he needed knee surgery. Later articles seem to suggest that it was recommended but he opted to not do it. He was traded, got hurt again, and then finally underwent the surgery. Did he want to do the surgery but was convinced by the Wild that rehab would be just as good?
This brings me to Gaborik’s situation. From what it sounds like, DR wanted and maybe pressured Gaborik heavily to forgo the surgery until after the season and continue to play at 75-80%. By then, he would have been another team’s problem. I wonder if Gaborik, maybe thinking of Manny’s situation, had someone in his camp leak information to Russo that surgery was in the cards. Once the surgery and his trip to Colorado came out, Gaborik could say that the specialist told him that if he continues playing, his hip would get worse and he would be out for 6 months. It kind of ties the Wild’s hands if a renowned specialist makes that kind of diagnosis. If they don’t let Gaborik have the surgery, it makes them look bad from a human standpoint. Business over humanity. Of course, it looks bad for Gaborik, too, but at least he got what he wanted, surgery now.
MORE KOLANOS!
I got a fever and the only cure is…
My birthday, can’t type on the blackberry today I guess. But at least with getting a new phone I can post using the phone again.
kgopher,
Agree about Mikko, but I dunno about Shep, sometimes he looks a bit goofy… Alright, after much deliberation, I accept your vote for Shep. I vote for Cal. He’s adorable.
That was weird…
I made that post and noticed I wasn’t kj anymore. I was heather.
That blew my theory on how the wordpress blog site is messing up.
Back to the drawing board.
Oh, and all this male athlete attraction talk is degrading. You’d never hear a bunch of guys drooling over a hot female TV personality, would you????
I will second the vote for Cal if ms. C hasn’t beaten me to it.
Well, Mikko… I mean… really… that goes without saying. Hards lost me with the Rascal Flats mask. That crossed a line for me. Tragically Hip mask, yes. Country band mask, ohhellno.
“Oh, and all this male athlete attraction talk is degrading. You’d never hear a bunch of guys drooling over a hot female TV personality, would you????”
Like we’re just objects. I feel so used.
I agree with all the “looker” picks. Poolboy does have dreamy eyes, though, so he might break through, too. And Gillies looks okay without his helmet on.
Can we all agree that Rod Brind’Amour and Ryan Smyth are the ugliest men in hockey? And that LaPerriere has to smell from the side of his face with his sideways nose?
I feel more maternal towards Cal… can’t really go there with the looks, other than he’s a good looking kid for sure.
Shep… I feel kinda dirty finding him so hot seeing how young he is, but he’s hot. No doubt about it. Have you seen the Under Armor ad with him in it? OMFG. Katy bar the door!
The boys are hating this discussion I know. Here, I’ll balance it out. Marney looked great in that argyle sweater last night. How cute was that?
I am not into the Rascal Flatt’s mask but it is history and is friends with them so I forgive the country thing. I really like his tribute to his friends pond hockey one this year.
I agree, kgopher - LOVE the pond hockey helmet.
Yep, this year’s helmet is a brazillion times better. Love love love it. I mean, it’s no Miller Abstract Buffalo, but for Josh, who perpetually “overworks” his mask designs, it’s a winner.
Btw…did you know that the Wild are paying Gho$t $92,593 per GAME missed?
How many sick days does he get? I only get three at my job, then I have to go without pay. Or if I have surgery, I can go on short term disability for 6 weeks and get 60% of my paycheck. Imagine how much the Wild would save if they had Gaby on a similar plan.
That’s his 7.5 mil / 81 for those of you that are interested in GhoStonomics…
I made the season 81 games - I gave him a ’sick game’…
We may need a separate blog for the ladies.
How cute was that?
no doubt
Ugh. Realities like that are why I’d rather think about the hot players.
I wish I could get sick and still get bank like that.
Can’t find Shepp and Gillies cute, I’m way to old to think of them like that. But Burns, Boogie, Cal… I could (if I was single) hope they had things for older women.
Sorry Wood… It happens occasionally and then we move on to more manly subjects like overpaid, underpersonalitied (seriously, did you see that interview with Greenlizzay last night?), gimpy superstars.
Just to put it in perspective, WaMu/JPMorgan Chase paid their CEO 18.5 million (including a 7.5mil signing bonus and 3 mil severance) and he worked there THREE WEEKS. So Gaby’s cheap, by those standards.
Paùl Stastny & Skoula go on the ugly guy list! Yeah, I feel a little creepy thinking Shep is cute but he is only 8 yrs younger & he is over 18 so that is how I justify it. And yes, I have seen the under armor ad!
Agreed MsC, the only player I’ve seen that is more one dementional is StK. I saw an interview with him once where he couldn’t answer the question, “What is your favorite color?”
Shep always looks a little naive and scared, to me. I’d be afraid I’d scar him for life.
BG - maybe he was afraid of offending all the other colors?
Cal’s only six months older than Shep, BG. Gillies though… yeah. Too young. But I’m such a mama bear for that kid. He and Justin Falk down here in Houston. Both are big enough to handle themselves but I still get worked up when older players start picking on them because they’re the fresh-faced rookies.
What under armor ad? Did I miss something worthy of drool?
Shhh… don’t introduce reality MsC. Cal looks older there for he is, got it?
Oh! Sorry… he is certainly mature beyond his years, that’s for sure. I also haven’t seen a smarter player come through in my time as a fanatical Aeros fan.
Greenstar is busy today MissConduct, your comments about Marney fall on deaf ears.
Why can’t Boogie do an under armor ad? That would make me very happy. It would become my wallpaper I’m sure. Shepp still to young but can see what everyones saying.
Thanks Bandgeek, I will look.
Ughghggh… I went all December without getting sick, today I feel like dooky.
Ok, the Snuggie (the blanket with sleeves) looks snuggly stupid.
I think I’m being moderated for saying something didn’t look “intelligent”.
I need a nap. My head is pounding. Maybe if I take a nap I’ll dream of hockey players doing under armor ads.
Oh, so now it shows up…. that tears it, nap time.
“your comments about Marney fall on deaf ears.”
Ice, your not a fan of Marny’s school-marmish good looks?
ms.c,
I think the team’s hotness has been raised due to your boys from Houston, so thank you.
You’re welcome. If we could just get Stoner up to MN you’d have the full set (not that the rest of the guys aren’t all attractive in their own ways but Stoner is special). I did see Schaef in a suit after a game the other night and decided he wears it well. Very handsome.
Food from Boston above.
Lookie! Food! Or non-food, as it seems from the title.
i ran into marney at champp’s in burnsville last summer with her husband and little one. she’s very nice and good looking too. though a bit on the short side.
