Harding in net tonight; Backstrom not “100 percent”
Posted on January 10th, 2009 – 10:39 AMBy Michael Russo
Russo here in Columbus, where the Wild is close to signing Darius Miles, according to sources.
Josh Harding gets the nod tonight because Niklas Backstrom’s not 100 percent. If he were, coach Jacques Lemaire said he’d play. But Backstrom practiced this morning, said he’s felt good all day, could have played and will be ready to play next week.
Kristian Huselius (concussion) back for the Jackets after just two skates. Steve Mason, who was scintillating last night in a shutout at Washington, gets back-to-back starts. Colton Gillies and Erik Reitz will be scratched for the Wild. Derek Boogaard (upper body) skated this morning and feels better.
Not much more to say really. I feel great. Felt like I’ve been scanned by Norton’s anti-virus. The bug was found and I’ve been patched up.
Here’s a funny story. So my alarm on my Blackberry this morning goes off.
I hop up all refreshed, turn on my laptop, do about 20 minutes of expenses, read some NHL stories, etc., etc. I grab my cell to text somebody to see if they wanted to get breakfast, and … it’s 5:35 a.m. I look at the clock on my laptop — 5:35 a.m. On my desk, 5:35 a.m.
Last night, I didn’t save the 8:30 wakeup on my cell, so it went off at 5 a.m. — my wakeup call from the night before to make my Philly to Columbus flight. It was fun getting back to sleep.
You would have all enjoyed watching me walk the couple miles to the rink this morning. It was literally a quarter-inch of ice the entire way there. I was bracing myself on newspaper stands, street signs, everything. Apparently, there’s no such thing as salt in Columbus. I almost wiped out in front of the Nationwide Insurance headquarters, so that would have been a fun claim.
Now you know why I write and don’t play. Can’t skate.
That’s it from here. The Gophers’ women’s hockey team is expected to attend tonight’s Wild game after their game against the Buckeyes.
46 Responses to "Harding in net tonight; Backstrom not “100 percent”"
Hope Hardings getting the nod because they decided to rest Backs not because Backs has the team plauge. Hope your feeling better Russo.
That’s what I was thinking, BG. But I haven’t seen any goalie transactions to provide a back-up, so I’m assuming it’s just a rest.
who all played in BJ’s shutout last night? i know mason was in net. did nash, novotny, etc play?
@Netminder:
Its not that hard to figure out, its a little thing called the box score:
wow…sorry evil. i haven’t had a chance to look yet.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Know who’s in goal for Columbus?
i’m guessing mason.
I would too except he almost didn’t play last night and then faced a barrage of 45 shots.
I don’t think it’s confirmed yet. I’m betting they ride the hot goalie. (God, I love saying that.)
I’m betting they ride the hot goalie. (God, I love saying that.)
So many things to say to that, especially since you’re a goalie, but it’s too early in the day for me.
It’s Mason
I’m betting they ride the hot goalie. (God, I love saying that.)
ms.c…even I won’t touch that one.
msC, are you furthering that conversation with my imposter yesterday or something? i did used to have a thing for hockey chicks, but now my wife wouldn’t approve!
Russo here in Columbus, where the Wild is close to signing Darius Miles, according to sources.
I wonder how many people besides me will appreciate that joke.
KiPA…I get it, but I don’t appreciate it… 
Who the heck is Darius Miles? He doesn’t even come up @ hockeydb.com
Ahh, google, basketball player, I dont get it.
if someone signs darius miles, the trailblazers (i think) owe him a ton of money…it’s suspected that if he gets signed the team that signs him will be sued by the trailblazers
I’m all in favor of hot goalies being ridden.
Very successful road trip if the boys win tonight, but this arena hasn’t been kind to us…I think we’re 4-7-3 or something like that in this building. but a win would be six points out of eight on the trip, nine out of the laset possible 12. I’d be feeling a little better about life if they can get this one.
KiPA… I’m sitting here wondering.. “who the hell is Darius Miles?” Never heard of the guy. So I googled him. Odd. I don’t follow Bucketball, so I had no idea.
Nice to see ya back anyway!
Poor KiPa–Pens in s downward spiral. Why KiPa?
I’m not really back. Just wanted to know who Columbus was starting.
The Darius Miles thing, in brief: If he plays for any NBA team more than a certain number of games (I think 18) this season, the Jail Blazers are on the hook for his entire contract, guaranteed. Memphis wants to sign him, but then Portland would sue the Grizzlies, ‘cuz they don’t want to pay Darius. (Darius was waived just before the Blazers had to pay him.)
Go Grizzlies!!
KiPA’s a tease… just using us for his fantasy hockey. Fine. Be that way.
Don’t read into the hot goalie thing. I’m just saying, I enjoy the phrase. 
I’m a little queasy pondering ice skating on the sidewalks of Columbus. Something about the idea of skating where there’s “terrain” just sets my stomach on edge. Probably why I don’t like my rollerblades much.
This would be cool. I always wanted the city to ice the local bike trails when I was a kid. Heck, I still wish they did that.
KiPA’s a tease… just using us for his fantasy hockey. Fine. Be that way.
*rolls eyes* Yeah, I’m sure everyone’s been missing me here.
KiPA…yeah, we miss your Gaborik for Dupuis trade scenarios…
What do you think about the Staal extension? Where is Mario coming up with all this dough?
Jordan, the part of Mystery, AK where they skated the river… that was pretty cool. No cars to crash into if you blow a tire though. Yeesh.
Your absence has been queried upon many times, Kevin. I just tell them you’re in jail.
http://hittingthepost.blogspot.com/2009/01/penguins-sign-staal.html
Ron Burkle’s got all the money.
And at this point, would you accept Dupuis for Gaborik? At least Dupuis’ healthy and signed for a couple more years.
(Okay, actually Dupuis missed last game and today but he’ll be back next one.)
Yeah, alright, Ms. C.
That was Mystery, Alaska, right? I’m questioning if I’m mixing up my hockey movies…
Glad Boogie’s feeling better, I miss my Boogie when he’s not able to play. Hiding my Russo habit from the employee’s. They think I’m working on inventory, boss is out sick so I’m in charge today. My friend H is sad, a certain baseball player who wears number 33 on the Twins is getting married this weekend, we are no longer to discuss him, he is dead to her. Good thing I got her stuff to further her obsession with Mikko for Christmas.
And Russo, no they don’t know what salt is in Columbus. They don’t “do” snow and ice in Ohio. At least that’s what my cousin’s from out that way always said.
For what it’s worth, I miss you KiPA.
How can you not “do” snow and ice if it happens so regularly? I thought Ohio got it pretty good in the winter.
Seriously Kevin. Except for the jail thing. I told them you’re busy wallowing in Penguin-induced misery. Which is true.
Got a double dose of hockey tonight, which is a lovely thing, but hard to juggle. And the Aeros are in Quad Cities, who I especially love to hate, thanks to Kris “I’m a F***ing Millionaire” Chucko.
i was not going to post because i am at a wedding in Iowa… But i just had to cime in… The wife and I miss you too Kevin.
See?
Good job on the Insider column tomorrow, Russo. Keep pushing that “Shep to Houston” agenda. That would be REAL nice.
Is boogs playing tonight russo?
KiPA…Shero could get dumpster diving advice from our own DR…
KiPA come back
All of Russoville could see
There was substance in every post from you
KiPA come back
You can blame it all on Mike
He was wrong - the blog’s not the same without you
Ok, so Player sucks…but the damn song is everywhere all of a sudden…
Nice work, KJ.
Russo…kudos on the insider column.
The scatter-shot approach of the GM of the Wild is troubling.
Good job pointing out how DR’s plan seems to change based upon every mistake he makes.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
“You would have all enjoyed watching me walk the couple miles to the rink this morning. It was literally a quarter-inch of ice the entire way there. I was bracing myself on newspaper stands, street signs, everything.”
RUSSO, I like you even more now. A baseball writer would have taken the bus, a football writer would have called a cab, a basketball writer would have called a limo. But the hockey writer goes blue collar and walks two miles on ice - I LOVE IT
So, Shanny to the Devils.
two miles? more like two blocks.
you write and don’t play because you order french cries with your wahburger.
boohoo.
