Final Night of 2008-09 season
Posted on April 11th, 2009 – 3:13 PMBy Michael Russo
Niklas Backstrom has started a team-record 20 straight games for the Wild. That will be snapped tonight when backup Josh Harding starts for the first time since Feb. 28.
How can you tell this season is officially over. Nobody — and I mean nobody — skated this morning for the Wild, which got the news five minutes before it landed in Columbus in the wee hours of this morning that Anaheim had beaten Dallas to mathematically make this game meaningless for the Wild.
Apparently, somebody got reception on their cell phone on the descent, and the news trickled around the plane. Very quiet landing I am told by the handful of glum players I ran into in the lobby today.
I also just saw Jacques Lemaire outside having a cigar with Mario Tremblay. The two then walked to the arena — maybe for the last time.
Like I said last night, when Lemaire said he’s made up his mind on his future, I think that’s a clear indication his era in Minnesota is over. If not, I think he’d just announce he’s staying to end all speculation.
But this is a guy that needed a few weeks away last year to be convinced he should return. Do you really think after this season’s disappointing ending that the decision he’s already made is to return? I just don’t think so.
Lemaire is also the type of person that doesn’t want to go to Florida, then come back for a press conference. So if his mind is made up that he is indeed stepping down, I can see a press conference very, very soon after the Easter holiday.
Again, though, this is conjecture.
Craig Weller will play tonight for the injured Dan Fritsche. Tonight’s outcome means a huge deal for Columbus, which can still finish sixth, seventh or eighth in the West.
Lastly, here’s an entertaining and clever piece written by Kyle Anway in the Minneapolis Golf Examiner on golf tips on certain Wild players, coaches and managers heading into the offseason.
154 Responses to "Final Night of 2008-09 season"
I also just saw Jacques Lemaire outside having a cigar with Mario Tremblay.
Once again congrats on great coaching career JL - if/when the Wild establishes a hall of fame or ring of honor thing, you will be the inaugural inductee.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
sorta seems like the outcome of this season is a disappointment to the players too.
Good.
I will have nothing but positive memories of Lemaire for his time here.
Line juggling, “old school” attitude, etc, don’t detract from the near fact in my mind that we wouldn’t have half the wins we do, nor the three playoff appearances, two series wins or division championship had he not been our coach since day one.
If he does leave, it will be with my thanks.
It is indeed sad that the Jacques Lemaire era ends like this. Away game, no chance for the fans to thank him for what he has accomplished here. He took a bunch of cast-offs, career 3rd/4th liners, and a few over-the hill players, and turned them into a respectable NHL team.
Granted, he did have a few (Kuba, Skoula, Zidlicky, Pouliot) that just didn’t get it. But overall, they did buy into ‘the system’, and the players are the better for it.
Thank you, JL, for your time and efforts. I, for one, hope you will not sever all ties with this franchise.
But I do envy you for your boat down in Sarasota… 
Sure hope Burns noggin starts feeling better this summer. Number 41 hurt more than helped this season.
If Jacques does quit it may be for the better. The next logical question is who will run the team? Aside of Detroit, the last handful of games were very good on both sides of the ice.
Still think the team this season was better than the one last season.
Skoula didn’t get it. What season did you watch this year WRT?
nick, my words exactly. i have nothing but praise for what lemaire’s done here with subpar talent.
Should be emotional for Woodcock - last chance to watch the trap.
Do you even know what it is jaromir? Or do you just read about it from Souhan and Reusse, the two hockey experts? I actually will watch the NCAA championships.
Woodcock
LONG ANSWER
The classic 1-2-2 trap is a forechecking pattern designed to take away the puck-handler’s time and space, forcing him to throw the puck away or turn it over. Basically, instead of flooding the zone with forecheckers, a trapping team will send only one checker into the zone (usually not too deep), putting two more players near the blue line and keeping the defensemen back at the red line or slightly further back.
When the puck-carrier tries to come out of the zone, the forechecker and the second-wave player on that side try to angle him toward the boards, while the other player moves to cut off any passing lanes and the defensemen choke off any breaks while further clogging things up. Ideally, the puck-carrier gets over his own blue line with nowhere to go and no time to do much of anything–leaving him the choice of icing the puck, throwing it away, or allowing it to be taken away in a scrum or a double-team.
SHORT ANSWER
Boring hockey designed to turn each game into a 2-1 snorefest (particularly when the opponent also plays the trap)and ruin the season and make fans turn to the BU-Miami of Ohio game.
crackers
Weird listening to the baseball game then switching over to the hockey pre-game.
“Sir Smugs-a-lot.”
He likes big butts and he cannot lie…
I will be rooting for the Flames in the Playoffs. Yes I know Keenan is a world class prick, but I love the brand of hockey they play. Gritty, fast and offensive minded.
jaromir, you can use wikipedia or google. Great, now try watching a game.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we are behind 2-0.
Sorry Woodcock, can’t stay awake because of the trap.
Lemaire and I hosting a party out on Thunder Island.
Sorry Jay, the only thing worse than watching JL’s team, is seeing him in the sun with his dress undone.
Yay.. 2 - 0 Bus. Fun.
How depressing.
jaromir blogger - if I felt as strongly about it as you, I would have bailed on this team a long time ago. You should be happy that change is a foot.
Gary Thorne is an excellent announcer. He’s doing the NCAA’s.
Tom Reid and Bob Kurtz are saying that Lemaire is coaching his last game with the Wild tonight. Bob is quoting sources. You can listen to them here:
Thanks for that sunshine
If JL is leaving can he take D & D with him and tie rocks to their feet and push them off his boat? I hope Mario gets to be Head Coach.
Saw a Cougar with a big rack at the game the other night with a sign that said, “Older men are sexy, Go Nolan!”
The Mr says it’d be funny if instead of saying… “Let’s go Jackets” they said “Lets go BJ’s.” I asked him if he was 12?
FOSSIE!!
FIRE RISEBROUGH>>>SIGN GABORIK
WOOOO!!!!
The Mr say’s, “Wooo!! My Daddy’s the president!!” He then lifted his shirt. He’s a bit loopy tonight.
LOL BG - your Mr. sounds hysterical.
I’m feeling very lonely tonight… that’s not a penalty, Kimmy just wanted a hug.
D&D are acting like we don’t know about JL but the whole first intermission on the radio was about him coaching his last game?
SKOULA!???
Skoula!
At least we’ve finally figured out how to score. Boy, are we going to miss Gaby, though.
The Mr is now singing the Green Acres theme song… he really needs to get out more.
I have to share this since this will most likely be JL’s last game. My 4 year old daughter calls him Chocolate Meer.
How cute, Kirk!
Falness mentioned that JL definitely wants to continue coaching next season. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
thanks heather. she’s hilarious.
Did you guys see that Franzen signed an 11 year contract with the Wings? I’ve been at work all day so didn’t know till the Mr just told me.
That’s too cute — Chocolate Meer. Thanks for sharing.
I just had a Clay Matvick sighting on the worldwide leader’s coverage of the NCAA. Still looks the same.
When did we get good in the second period?
Green Acres is the place to be….
Nick, we got good in the 2nd when it’s a meaningless game 82
geez…I guess so, Kirk!
Looks like Fozzie’s agent got a hold of him before the game…”hey buddy, yeah, don’t forget you need a contract for next season, eh?”
Ya know if JL coaches with another NHL team next season then wow…just…wow.
Gary Thorne was rumored to be coming to the Wild for some games when NHL games were on ESPN. Let’s get him in here to announce the games for the new era Wild.
Gary Thorne is what hockey PBP on TV should sound like. End of story.
Anyone who can make Melrose sound smart…
Kirk, I don’t think he’d go to another team. He’d retire and spend a bunch of time on his boat.
Anyone else think it’s lame that the BJs are still trying to sell playoff tix?
JL is kind of picky as to where he wants to coach. He had offers between leaving the Devils and before joining with the Wild.
Not sure if this will hold true in his next job.
Me!! I do Nick!! Ooo Ooo Pick me!!
Didn’t Matvick do the WCHA Final Five T.V.?
WTF was that Gare? “The strength of the pack is in the wolf…and the strength of…the…wolf, is in the pack…we need that pack mentality here in the third.”
Sounds like he’s doing commentary for dodgeball.
(though he does get credit for pointing out that Tyutin pushed Mittens into Mason last period.)
That’s what I thought too BG but Falness said JL made it clear that he still wants to coach. That just floored me.
Scotty’s a UFA group VI. I think he’s earned a new contract from us. I hope DR agrees.
pull your pants up, Mittens!
Is it bad when your head hurts so bad you can feel your pulse in your sinuses?
been drinkin’ all day, Band? 
I wish.
i second the firing of risebrough and signing of gabby.
At what point does IGoW stand up and say “My queen…my wife…my love!”
300 Nick?
I don’t want to see Lemaire go, but it sounds like he will. He is not to blame for this season. There’s no doubt.
nice Kirk
Dats fer sure, Ian. Dere’s no doubt…
uh Skoula…take it easy on the forechecking down low bro
Deez were my last tree pariods of hawkey. Dere’s no doubt.
I think Tremblay could rival Jacquesism’s.
GABBY
Gaby…nice..the red light was on for a while before that
D&D were saying the goal judge maybe knew something, Nick.
BJ’s gettin’s chippy
Apparently the light’s on again, so we’re going to score again. 
psychic goal judge?
GABY
GOAL!
Suh-weet!
Funny - I was posting that right when Zids scored.
freakin’ lazer from Queen MAB
Oops - I mean MAB.
MAB’s playing for a contract also yes?
I’m liking that goal judge - he’s predicting our goals for us.
lets kick the BJs down to 8th so they can be chum for the Sharks….
BJs goal.
I’m drunk.
affirmative, Kirk
Keep pilin’ those goals up Gabby: whatever you can use to pad your numbers for your next salary grab.
We’ll just knock the BJ’s down to 7th, let them face Detroit.
My 6 year old “Daddy why did the hockey guy say someone is getting killed?”
Amazing how long it takes to explain words with dual meanings.
I’m telling you, Mason could be the next Jim Carey.
Miami 3, BU 1 late in the 3rd
Ace Ventura Jim Carey?
Allllllllrightly then!
That last BG comment was me
20 for Mikko!
last place PP trying to score on the best (road) PK?
KOIVU!!
a wise man recently pointed out to me that PMB makes more than Mikko.
Koivu, the 2nd best Wild player, is not even close to being a Gaborik. That says alot about the team Risebrough put together. FIRE RISEBROUGH!!!!
[rant]WHERE THE F@#%#% WAS THIS TEAM MOST OF THE SEASON!!! SON OF A WHORE!!![/rant]
OK, I feel a little better now
WOW. BU scores to get within 1, 1 minute left
Risebrough will have alot of excuses, and no answers for next year..except he will still say how wonderful the team of 18,000 is.
Gaborik apparently is our catalyst, Mr. BG. This is the first time we’ve won three in a row since November, when Gaby was playing.
\UNREAL!
BU ties it!
Seriously. Did the radio guys just try to break the JL thing without confirming he’s done?
BU ties it
Miami must be down emotionally, watch BU win this thing
When BU tied it - with like 17 secs left - some Miami punk azz B slashed the heck out of a BU player out of anger as he was skating away to go cele the goal….that’s seriously lame.
umm, go BU?
Injured, Mr. B?
The Rangers would take that player, Nick.
If JL does resign, I wonder if Gabby would consider coming back.
Season over. This sucks. It’s going to be a long 6 months. At least we have 2 months of playoff hockey.
BU-Miami game–amazing!!!
Nick - in that case, GO BU!
I see Anthony Kim came back to earth today at Augusta…
Isn’t AK 4 under?
Russo’s on TV
Russo, what’s with the goatee?
He kinda looks funny
c’mon..ask the question idiot
Gorg the cyborg is a dork
“I’m in Columbus”. Classic
If he is retiring..why wait to announce it.
That’s what I am going to miss about Lemaire. His classic lines.
Drama queen.
So, the Wild win their final game, move down a draft spot.
Is it “irony” if DR trades up a spot? Or, is it merely “coincidence”, since we expect him to…
FranCEESEco walked in not one but two runs today? nice
Man, if I were JL, I would retire just to get away from Quasimoto, Dumb and Dumber.
Pathetic.
I would like to take our television broadcasts and make them available for HNIC. Everyone suffer with what we do.
Risebrough is clueless. As important as Backs is, I would have rather signed Gabby, traded Back for some talent, and went with Harding. Worked tonight. Gabby will have an outstanding year next year..whoever he plays for.
You guys couldn’t have done me a favor by getting shut out, could you? =/
Gabby and Brunette seemed to click together.
Is Baker still on the DL? Not good when your “ace” gets rocked.
KiPA: Crown me. I think I won the Russoville FH league.
Did Timmy Thomas play today? Bruins got killed.
Fitting that this team saves it’s first 3 game winning streak since November until the end of the season after they’ve been eliminated.
I’ve been a big Gho$t detractor, but man…he really turned it on for next year’s contract.
Will the signee get what he gave for 2+ weeks? I guess time will tell…
I’m thinking JL will be back.But not because of anything Falderal said. Just ‘cuz I think he got the fire back again this year. In his mind, this year’s crew was a bunch of over-achievers - overcoming injuries. As opposed to last year’s underachieving bunch.
I think JL found out again that he can still coach.
It would be amazing if Smug uses JL as ’scapegoat’ and makes him retire, only to see him re-surface somewhere else to coach next year. Could he be that arrogant???
Well, as predicted earlier this year…the Wild missed the playoffs. Guess hope springs eternal. Without Gabby next year and Risebrough calling the shots, it could get much worse.
You’ll be crowned, sunshine. It’s not final yet since there’s games tomorrow but the title seems yours.
Nick: Screw you. No, Thomas didn’t play. He’ll play tomorrow. Given the faux pas I made I’m actually rooting FOR him.
Risebrough - Lemaire - Gabby…I don’t think the 3 get along with each other. Only one will be back next year.
KiPA: ouch…I will need the Isles to lay down to get any breathing room, though.
KiPA:
Good luck to your team in the playoffs!
How could you guys possibly score five after getting six last night AND getting the news that you were out of the playoffs?! It made so much sense for me to play Mason.
Thanks sunshine.
For some reason I only just realized the effing Canucks clinched the Division today.
Well, we have several UFAs that are playing for contracts.
Alan: if you’re lurking, congrats on the division championship and good luck in the playoffs….see you around here next season, if you catch my drift.
all four frozen four goalies are freshmen? Wow
So, the standings are:
1 San Jose
2 Detroit
3 Vancouver
4 Chicago
5 Calgary
6,7,8 BJ’s, waddlers, and Blues
Who’s gonna be shark food?
Russoville Pub bar is open until the conclusion of the NCAA championship game, FYI
FDSkljfaldsjfldks UFAs. *cries*
food…sad food
Jack, rocks please Nick. Make it a double.
BU wins!
Figures it would be a goal like that to end that game.
Can I get a Jameson straight still Nick? In celebration, of course
So Lemaire retires…wow
Yeah, just read that. So time to clean house starting with Risebrough
Nick, thanks for your message re the Nucks . I wasn’t lurking but I am today. Never thought they would win the NW division. Columbus kind of scare me though, I worry that the Canucks may not take them seriously enough.
