Wild vs. Vancouver Canucks
Posted on October 17th, 2009 – 3:45 PMBy Michael Russo
Same Wild lineup as last night. John Scott scratched.
Good afternoon from soaking wet Vancouver, where I just took a long walk on the water. Even in the pouring rain, there’s few better cities to walk around than Vancouver. Well, here and Buffalo, of course.
Dreary day and I’m in as much of a writing mood as Brent Burns was in a mood to talk with me this morning down at GM Place, site of the men’s hockey at the 2010 Winter Games (I’ll be here, yeah).
Speaking of Burnzie, he’s scheduled to be on Hockey Night in Canada’s After Hours with the great Scott Oake after tonight’s game. Let’s hope Burnzie’s in a more talkative mood tonight than he was this morning, or that won’t be good TV.
Yes, the Wild and Canucks will be the late game on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada tonight. The Wild will either fall to 0-6 on the road, or win for the first time to salvage some semblance of this road horror show. We will see.
This is a tense team to be around at the moment, for obvious reasons. Not fun for the local reporter in that locker room this morning. Even normally-pleasant assistant coach Mike Ramsey was a tough interview.
I once covered a 1997-98 Florida Panthers team that was winless on an eight-game road trip, then later the same season went winless in 15 straight games (lost 13 straight if I remember correctly). Every time I walked into that locker room, I looked over my shoulder.
It hasn’t gotten that bad here yet.
More than a dozen players down at the rink this morning for today’s optional. Most veterans, and coach Todd Richards, exercised their options this morning. Not sure of the lineup. It did look a little bit that John Scott was getting a slight bag skate, but Derek Boogaard was last one off. We will see tonight.
Marty Havlat and Petr Sykora tested their abdominal regions on the ice this morning. Both won’t play tonight, but perhaps with three off days after tonight, they could return Wednesday at home. That’s me talking. Not them or the team.
I did talk to Havlat and he said it’s getting better.
The Wild didn’t make a claim in on Andrew Ebbett after some discussion. If I had to guess, I think it’s because the Wild only has so many small jerseys if you catch my drift.
I think as more roster spots become available to Chuck Fletcher to put his stamp on this team in the coming summers (expiring contracts, in other words), I see him trying to get much faster and bigger up front. This team isn’t very big up front, and after having so much speed at forward two years ago, well, not so much anymore.
Niklas Backstrom in the cage. Roberto Luongo will be in Vancouver’s net after last night’s blowout loss vs. Calgary. Two struggling, banged-up teams tonight.
By the way, I got my first, “[Tonight’s] the biggest game of the year,” from leading scorer Eric Belanger.
Yes, Game 7. That’s the sign of a desperate hockey team.
This epitomizes my day so far — the sun’s coming out just as I sit down to write tomorrow’s notebook. Lovely.
Want to know the first thing that went wrong today? I took somebody else’s bag from the airport. Same make of suitcase, same color. I am an idiot. Luckily, the family whose bag I accidentally stole couldn’t have been nicer as I profusely apologized.
Final day of the road trip. I must be mentally fatigued. It’ll be nice to get home tomorrow. Talk to you tonight.
126 Responses to "Wild vs. Vancouver Canucks"
If the team plays like a team and the hard work ethic this franchise has been built on is present, we could do well.
Just give us the best you’ve got boys, we’ll work from there.
This trip is so bad, even Russo is screwing up now.
Always look at the claim check number, Michael. Always.
I don’t blame Burnsie for not wanting to talk to anyone. A -10 in the plus/minus column will do that to a person.
Ask Martin Skoula… 
Russo, that is why you put something disquinshing on the handle. I learned that from a coworker on the way back from Fresno last year. She had a lei on hers.
As bad the Wild have been, did anyone catch the Rodents last night in Grand Forks? Holy cripes has Lucia put together a roster of softies. This year’s version of the Rodents must be taking after the Kimmie J school of playing physical.
Hope the Wild can put together an effort worth building on tonight.
Matt cooke sux…
krodent you have to get leied to get a lei.
+1 Mister Know it all
The Gophers played like crap. The talent of toddlers and energy of senior citizens last night, and therefore couldn’t control the play at all. Leddy was on the ice for three minutes at the start of the second because the Gophers couldn’t get the puck out of their end.
David Fischer is awful. The defensive ability of MAB and offensive ability of Boogaard.
Trying to give yourself +1 Mrs. No? Isn’t that like kissing your sister?
I never gave myself a +1. I don’t even know what that means.
The Nucks and their fans are going to have a good time tonight.
encrim…..I need a report from mastodon country last night…..
is butch on the road trip as well?
someone said he was in our store a couple days ago…..and was berated by another employee for not telling her…
appearently she had scared butch out of our store a couple years back by talking he ear off…..that made me chuckle today…
as for hockey….good luck to these guys….hopefully they can work out of this funk.
I knew Russo walked on water… 
No fun covering an ailing team, especially when you’re not allowed to be sassy about it. Sometimes that works for me. But then I merely have to lurk in the hallways.
Headed out to the Aeros game in a minute. So far they’re more fun than the Wild. Here’s hoping problems don’t trickle down. Just happy to have Gillies back. I love having him here. So proud of the work ethic when he could have pouted.
Have fun ms. conduct. Go Aeros!
How long does Richards get? If they turn into a last place club the bandwagon could be shaken to its core
steve…..richards got nothing to work with…..no size….no speed…….thank goodness for havlat’s speed, cause him, burns, and koivu (not that fast, but a little speedy) are the only speedy players.
he gets three years….this is a rebuilding team….and should have been last year…..
bandwagoners suck…..go wild!!!!
I think they’ll come up with more than a moral victory tonight.
A full-fledged, all-out win against the hated Nuks.
Alan/VDS…I can help plan the parade route if needed…
In other news, the Alexandria Blizzard had their home opener last night and won in a blowout 6-3 over the Albert Lea Thunder…after a rough start for the first 10 minutes, going down 2-0 early on, the Blizzard stepped up their game and proceeded to dominate from that point on…highlights of the night were a hat trick, WAY too many penalties for the Thunder leading to some very successful powerplays for the Blizzard…in 9 games Alexandria is now 4-3-2…not bad considering their 1st 8 games were on the road…the Blizzard take on Owatonna tonight at 7pm, unfortunately I won’t be able to make the game tonight…
A win tonight needed, Backstrom needs to pull this team through. Name a captain already!!!
“Brent Burns has been dropped by 810 teams in Yahoo! leagues”
HNIC just announced that Bieska was the guest for After Hours. Did they drop Burns in favor of Bieska, too?
sunshine: Burns might just have un-invited himself after what Russo described from the morning skate… Think about it; would YOU want a brooding, -10 defenseman on after his team just (possibly, mind you) got handed his 5th straight road loss?
And me, with tickets in hand for four Wild road games in the next 30 days.
Yeech…
-10. And you’re still harpin’ on FrankenSkoula. Even Schultz got his pocket picked for a goal last night in a fashion that ranks with anything as ugly as I’ve seen from any Wild D. But I don’t suppose we’ll have any room in the memory banks for that now will we?
—And me, with tickets in hand for four Wild road games in the next 30 days.—
God is trying to tell you that you have too much time and too much money.
Thanks, Stoned. I knew I’d get sympathy from ya, there, bud…
Since when did I say anything against Skoula since this all started? I wish himall the best, now that he’s away from here…
(Had to take that shot)
SODR
I am watching the Leafs on NHL Network and man, the fans are tough.
Yikes! I think they are getting out the pitchforks.
Yay, Toronto’s losing. So we’re still better than them.
From the way Russo’s talking, it sounds like we’re always the Canadiens of the West. Still are in terms of size anyways….
But it’s not really bad yet. For example, nobody has gotten sucker punched at the hotel ala Eric Lindros.
sunshine: You would be getting tough, too, if you have to pay those prices ($150 Canadian and way, way up) for those lower level ACC seats. The Leafs were left in almost a worse way than SODR left the Wild, in that JF Jr. saddled the Leafs with lots of non-expiring long-term deals. Delta Burke has his work cut out for him, balancing between the needs of the Club and the needs of the Ontario Teachers Pension Pool, who own MLSE, the Leafs’ parent company…
Let’s go Richards.
This is the one game we need more than any other.
Think Vikings v Packers, Wolverines v Buckeye’s, Gophers v Anoka Ramsey Comm College, Blizzard v Thunder, etc.
What radio station are they on tonight since the rodents are on the evil neighbor?
Thank you Mr. Backstrom.
M: depends on your local radio coverage. Can you get an audio feed from the home team?
Does ch 45 offer an HD feed?
Thanks M03, I’m here in the metro but I just assumed the rodents were on 830. My 7yr old just informed me that our beloved boys in IRR (or snow white as the case may be) are indeed on the evil neighbor tonight…
Alright Koivu!
Can we please put #51 on waivers….he is horrible.
M: glad you can get the radio feed.
If/when the guys in IRR are on tv, the mute is my friend.
I’m liking Brodziak more and more each shift. He plays a very complete game.
He and Poobah seem to be developing some chemistry too. Bro is the lunch pail guy and Poo is the glory hound.
Hey whatever works.
sidebar - a bear & a beer cooler: http://wcco.com/pets/black.bear.beer.2.1254897.html
M03-C’mon, you mean you don’t hang on the results of the “faceoff?” Now THAT is good TV! Or not… Mr. Shaver definitely spoiled us, and will never be replaced, but I do like his boy and Sonmor on the rodent telecasts. Sonmor makes the guys in the truck wish they had a dump button every time he blurts out like he’s in a locker room! I know, I know, they’re homers, but they do hammer on our boys when they deserve it.
M: agreed. Spoiled with great radio guys Shaver (hockey) and Carneal (baseball). WS & GS are great as well as BK & TR. I pay attention to the criticisms and marvel at the skill, preparation & talent.
Hey all, this is probably one of the last games in Russoville with the current format. Bittersweet, eh?
Yep…the goaltending is just as good as last year, eh sunshine?
If you discount all the games with Harding, yep goaltending was just as good as last year.
Again, its, defense.
- kj? re u moron?
- plz fire Richards
Boogie + Siffers vs canucks ’s 2 line
f idiot newbie coach
Not a good start to the second period again… This is preparation by the players obviously. Again Backstrom
Did you see that save, kj? Or all the other saves by Backs?
Goaltending with Backs — Strong.
Goaltending with Harding — Failure.
Still breakdown by defense (forwards and defensemen) and saved by Backs.
Halfway through the game, will they turn the switch on or off?
I am a Andy Taylor fan. I was critical of him being around but he is easy to like I can see that
Love gabby- Richards did not want him on the ice they could not get off
Boogie has to go….somewhere, anywhere but the ice.
Horrible call
Backstrom realizes what he needs to do for this team
Guys the goal was not boogies fault, he was trying to get off of the ice and he technically is not responsible for down low
We are in for treat with Pouliot this year
I like Mikkos game tonight. Nobody has decked Pouliot yet they must know Boogy is in the house. Burrows is a prime candidate for giving Benny the business
Looks like Owen Nolan is big brother for Benny
After the goal. Backstrom has picked it up.
The goal he gave up was weak.
Weak, sunshine. Weak.
8 shots on goal, compared to 26…
Five chickens with their heads cut off. Richards needs to quit blaming the players and look at his “system.” It’s worse than rec. hockey. Maximum running around with no result.
Backstrom is keeping us in this one. It’s unbelievable what he can still do even under these conditions.
Pouliot is looking good out there. Putting in a lot of effort, just not getting the bounces.
Boogie has cement shoes. Bieksa walked him like a orange cone, which caused the goal. If Boogie gets a body on him or a poke check, no goal. He needs to stick to boxing.
So when is Sheppard going to start scoring now that he doesn’t have JL holding him back? By my count he has 0 points in 6 games.
ok, after 6.67 games, I can soundly state that Sheppard is officially a bust. Time to move on.
Yeah, I mean Backs isn’t the difference maker in this game. He only faced 27 shots while the Wild has only put up 8. That means nothing, especially since the ones he saw were great scoring chances.
In the first period, the Wild only had 2 scoring chances while the Canucks had 5. I wonder how many scoring chances the Wild put up with only 4 shots on goal in the second period.
Keep telling yourself that’s only Backs and not the 5 guys in front of him.
night all
When will the Chinese Fire Dept., show up in Wild uniforms? They have in every other loss so far…
I think Sheppard is a fine 3rd/4th line Center. The problem is… so is Belanger and Brodziak. Can you win with 3 3rd/4th line Centers + Koivu?
At least I haven’t seen an uncovered back door goal yet tonight…
Again…you miss the point of what I am saying.
He has played great. But, for the Wild to win, he needs to be great and not give up soft goals.
I know it’s the defense. I know it’s the lack of talent up front. I know it’s the injuries.
I am just making the observation that when the Wild has needed the ‘big’ save…they haven’t gotten it.
Shep is a fine 3rd/4th line center
On a division 3 college team, maybe.
Marty-I was thinking the same thing. They’ve given up at least one each game so far. If the opponent beats you with superior passing/skills, it’s one thing, but when you leave it open like that and give them one (or two), it’s hard to take.
And not once have I said or implied that it is JUST goaltending.
Sheesh.
These refs are a little ridiculous tonight.
Wow Geno…that was a pretty lame call.
How many losses can Richards sustain without losing his job? Or does he have a blank check? I think things get a little dicey at 1-12.
Why are all our guys taking dives in front of pucks? Especially on the PK? One guy down is bad enough, drop to the ice and it’s a two man advantage…Stay on your feet!
Really, kj, was that what you were saying? That the goalies have played great or that Backs have played great? It didn’t seem like it all.
I agree Midnight. They need to stay on their feet. It’s hurt us several times already. Once they are down, they take themselves out of the play.
Pouliots problem is impulse. Screwed us on the power play with that poor pass
Richards clearly has these guys playing more like they should tonight. Wild have to play young legs now
Go back and read what I posted sunshine. Or don’t. I really don’t give a shat. I’m tired of this.
I seem to remember learning that you stay on your feet in squirts. Granted, if you block a shot or clog up a passing lane, you’re a hero, but unfortunately (for us anyway) that seems to be the exception and not the rule…I guess the boys are just trying to make a play. BTW, what happened to the forecheck tonight?
The Wild, if they lose, will only have two points! Compare that with the rest of the conference! WOW!
Ugh man…
Come on Wild…10 min!
What does Richards have to lose by switching Pouliot with some scorers
Style of play looks more like a “Lemaire System”
Nuckleheads blocking everything…
I’m a little confused on a couple of the calls - are teams not allowed to protect their goaltender anymore?
Gawd damn nhl gamecenter…. whats happening?
Does anyone love a slapper more than Belanger?
I noticed everyone’s favorite pugilist hasn’t been on the ice since early in the second period. Why don’t they just park him in front of the net and start peppering shots??? Sounds good, in theory anyway…
Heather-Sure seems that way.
So who else here is already sick to death of those insipid and condescending Xcel energy commericials played non stop?!
Sorry Wild09: I WISH it looked like Lemaire system!
I would like to say that Burns has bounced back from his horrible game yesterday
I think Richards has been forced to tighten his system.
He couldn’t afford more defensive breakdowns.
Lol, Terhaar making excuses about the condition of the ice…Sid would be proud of an excuse like that.
SCORE, come on Score!
Cmon guys, big PP here….
Luo almost gave it the Wild
Luongo coming up big so far. Maybe it just wasnt meant to be tonight….remember that trickle puck that past just inches from the line around the 8 minute mark?
BURNS!!!!!
Geezuz f’n crist there BURNS!!!!!
um… when you are a Peewee you are taught not to screw around with the puck on the blueline.
Why do the Wild D keep doing this? Is Richards telling them to? GET A NEW COACH!
So was this a moral victory? Looking for something positive.
Nice Ole song. Are we watching a soccer match?
I am happy with the coaching more. I still don’t understand not putting Benny with some scoring talent
Why do the Wild D keep doing this? Is Richards telling them to? GET A NEW COACH!
Um no…get a NEW Burns!
Sunshine: “Tighten his system.” Oh my, still sloppier than my rec league team.
I hate that Ole song.
Positive? Another only 1-goal loss?
Sorry Fritsche. ALL the D are doing this under Richards. They NEVER did that under Lemaire.
Think about it.
I am getting use to the Wild losing.
How many goals did Wild score on this 5 game disaster? 8 or 9?
Positive? Just one, the trip is finally over!
Negative? Just about everything else that couldve gone wrong did. They should just re-name this the “Murphys Law” road trip of 09
I knew the team would be bad this year, but I didn’t think the season would be circling the drain in the first two weeks.
Chris: compared to the beginning of the season, he has tighten his system. Not many teams play the tight system of Lemaire. We are seeing less and less odd man rushes. A little less of players running around with their heads cut off. Its better than before but there is room for improvement.
I knew the team would be bad this year, but I didn’t think the season would be circling the drain in the first two weeks.
Agreed. I too had some concerns, but I posed a question last night that got zero response on here, but after watching this team now lose a “close” one, I’ll ask again…
The Isles won only 26 games last year. Will the Wild win less this season?
I have a positive - we look way better than we did a few games ago. As long as we continue to improve, we should have a decent team by the end of the year. As opposed to Lemaire’s coaching, where we started out great and continually went downhill each year.
You mean like when we went to the Western conf finals?
Or, heather, we look absolutely awful, get a No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft, then watch as DR (by then with some other team) tries to trade for it.
O, the irony of it all…
Um, wasn’t that like 6 years ago? I’m talking about the last few seasons - since Gaby decided we weren’t as important as him. Give Richards a chance, is all I’m saying.
heather, you mean like the Wild has gone to the playoffs twice in the last 3 seasons?
I am sure you meant what WRT said about being rewarded with the #1 but without the whole DR thing. That is sure to be something to look forward too.
Fritsche’s Math Teacher: The question should be, would this season’s Wild team win more games than the first season Wild team?
Yep, I mean that exactly. We made the playoffs (sometimes by the skin of our teeth), but were out in the first round. I’d rather be 1-7 and improve consistently than start out 6-0 and barely make the playoffs. It’s a LONG season, and we’re being awfully quick to discount a team that has many injuries and is learning a new system.
Damn it, one of the herd got loose on the mainland. I’m going to have to call Dion to come pick up his cousin and bring him back to the rest of their family.
What can you do when Clutterbuck, Bouchard, Havlat, Sykora are in the shelf? We have no talent in out system to step up and gill in, that ain’t Richards or Fletcher’s fault. Patience is a virtue people!
Spelling apparently isn’t.
We made the playoffs by the skin of our teeth? Did you forget that we won a NW Division. And in the 06-07 season, we had a comfortable place in 7th with 104 points but lost to the Canucks for the NW Division spot by 1 point?
Again, ignorance is bliss. The Wild might not have had the greatest team in the last 3 seasons but they still found ways to earn points. In the 06-07, the Wild won a good number of their games via shootouts. Or if they lost, they still earned points.
In the 07-08 season when we had a healthy Gaborik and won the NW Division, we lost a bunch of games in March but still earned points to keep us ahead of the NW Division pack.
Lastly, losing now or in December like last year or March in the 07-08 season, is still losing. Points are lost and it becomes a harder hill to clim.
Heather, I’m on your side…the JL era was one giving us arguably the most boring play of hockey in the league, with no future or prospects. I like this style of hockey so much better cause at least I feel like the players are playing their butts off, albeit confused at times…playoffs might be out of reach this year, but look at the Penguins and for how long they have sucked before they got better…it just seems that is what it takes.
05-06 - did nothing - last in our division. 06-07 - lost division by only one point (as you said), but placed 7th out of 8 spots - that’s barely right? 07-08 won the division - woohoo! A good year - until playoffs - out in first round (and made an average Theodore look like a star). 08-09 - placed 9th - no playoffs for us. I’d say that’s not a consistent winning pattern. What’s amazing to me is that everyone on this blog was screaming for the heads of DR and Lemaire last year and now act like we completely ROCKED under their leadership. I’ve heard that people don’t deal well with change, and some of the people here are making it apparent that it’s true.
I do get what you’re saying, sunshine, but I just disagree because it’s such a long season. I’m optimistic, because I think if we figure out the system in the next couple of months, we can be a great team and earn 2 points in every game as opposed to losing in OT and “managing” to get one point. I’m not ignorant by any means (so not completely blissful), but optimistic. I’m (sometimes unfortunately) a MN sports fan, so I remember years of the Vikes starting out 6-0 and still missing playoffs because of a last minute TD by Arizona. I’d rather have a team that consistenly improves than starts out with a bang and consistently gets complacent.
heather don’t waste your time with sunshine she know’s everything(LOL) i also think this team will do fine once all our players get healthy.
food
