DEE-ICING

Pronunciation: (dē-ˈīsing).

Function: transitive verb.

Definitions -

1 : Process of unwinding after a Wild hockey game.

2 : Process of leaving a lifetime of cold and snow in Minnesota behind for warmer climates.

3 : My random thoughts on hockey, life and the pursuit of really good tequila. (no politics allowed)

4 : Relief from insomnia.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Round One Done

Tampa Bay Over Pittsburgh
Washington Over New York - 5 game series 
Boston Over Montreal 
Philadelphia Over Buffalo

Nashville Over Anaheim - 6 game series
Vancouver Over Chicago
Detroit Over Phoenix - 4 game series 
San Jose Over Los Angeles

  • Hawks/Canucks - Vance's Hawks took the Canucks to game seven, kind of a theme for the first round of playoffs.  Unfortunately their puck posession, actually their lack of puck possession was their undoing.  Despite Luongo's penchant for choking midway through a playoff series he did manage to shut the Hawks down in the last game and the Canucks stepped up in front of him to get the scoring done.  It was hard to imagine the Canucks being bounce in the first round...but it was a nice thought nonetheless. 
   
  • Habs/Bruins - This series was up and down all the way to ... yep, game seven.  I hate to admit this but Sally and I spent this particular game seven just praying for either team to score one friggin' goal in regulation and then hold the line for the win.  We didn't care which team won, just so long as the game ended on time.  The Pens were already playing their game seven but VS led with the Bruins/Habs game and were sticking with it until the bitter end before joining the Pens/Bolts game in progress.  The Bruins obliged by scoring half way through the third period but failed to hold on, letting the Habs tie the game in the last minutes of regulation - cuz that's the norm this year.  Thankfully the Bruins finished off the series early in overtime and FINALLY, we joined the Pens/Lightning game.         
  • Penguins/Lightning - Seriously, who would have predicted the Pens out in round one? Even though the series went to game seven I never would have given Tampa the edge. Just goes to show you should never use my predictions to book a bet in Vegas.  I'm sorry for Sally's boys as they really were trying to get the job done without their two main stars, Crosby and Malkin.  From the sounds of things Crosby has suffered a set back with his concussion issues so he wouldn't have been ready for round two anyway.  Cest La Vie...   

  • Kings/Sharks - Runner Up for Most Entertaining Series of Round One.  These guys trampled all over each other, going up by as much as three goals at a time and coming back from monumental deficits.  There wasn't much sleep to be had between this series and the Ducks/Preds series but they were all worth staying up late for...even when the east coast games went to overtime ahead of them. 

  • Flyers/Sabres - Fucking Flyers...that's all I'm saying. 

To wrap up round one - this is for Sally - What are the odds this song was playing on the radio on the way home Wednesday night?

Monday, April 25, 2011

Switch Hitting, Visitors Overstaying Their Welcome

Switch Hitting
The Easter Bunny tucked a pair of Twins tickets into my Easter basket right next to the peeps and malted milk balls.  Okay, it wasn't the Easter Bunny, it was Connie and Randy, but they sure made my Easter Day bright!  Bobbi and I took in the game Sunday afternoon and enjoyed the beautiful weather along with a Twins Win.  

Check out the Through The Lens tab at the top of this page for some pictures from the game.   

I spent some quality time with Mr. Thome and his team mates and got to razz Bobbi about her affinity for the dreaded Vancouver Canucks.  Yes, there was hockey talk at a baseball game and just so you all know - there were folks all around, especially the two guys behind us, who were all over the NHL playoffs with me.  This is the State of Hockey.  

For Vicki - Check out the Through The Lens page for a special set of shots just for you   .   

Overstaying Their Welcome

This first round of playoffs has been filled with overtime sessions and it's the visiting teams who are coming up the big winners.    

Tampa Bay vs Pittsburgh: Pens 3-2 series
New York vs Washington: Caps 4-1 series winner
Montreal vs Boston: Bruins 3-2 series 
Buffalo vs Philadelphia: 3-3 series tied

Nashville vs Anaheim: Preds 4-2 series winner
Chicago vs Vancouver: 3-3 series tied
Phoenix vs Detroit: Wings 4-0 series winner
Los Angeles vs San Jose: Sharks 3-2 series
  • Rangers/Caps - New York is just about as merciless as Canada is when their teams lose.  Check out the Rangers message boards for some of the best Marian Gaborik bashing you'll ever see.  Porcelain Groin Boy has some serious reckoning to do this summer in order to win back the Ranger fans come this fall.  He simply must learn how to be a two way player or he's doomed to be the whipping boy of New York.  Given the price and length of his contract the Rangers are stuck with him so I'm guessing the GM and coaching staff will be working closely with Gaborik as well.
And now some love for my boyfriend!  It has been great to see Ovechkin work on being a two way player over the course of this season.  His efforts have paid big dividends and the team has shown great strides as well.  Wes said it best during a Chalk Talk last season when he commented how a team that simply strives for offense and speed will find themselves out of steam and out of the playoffs if that's all they have.  The Caps have worked to be better defensively and they've taken down one conference rival for their efforts.  I couldn't help but smile when hearing the VS in game commentators and the analysts refer to the changes.
  • Penguins/Lightning - Tampa Bay refuses to go down without a fight.  After losing games 3 and 4 they responded by embarassing the Pens in game 5 by winning 8-2 on the Pens home ice.  The 2 Penguin goals didn't come until the third period in a game that was both tragic and comical to watch.  Game 6 is Monday night.  I expect it to be an epic butt-whoopin' by the Pens who never let a bad game go unpunished. 
    
  • Hawks/Canucks - Vance's Hawks had a thing for the number 5 in game 5...they won it 5-0.  Luongo continued his M.O. of melting down in the playoffs and so did his team mates.  I really didn't expect this to happen until the Cup Final but heck, I'll take the Canucks being ousted whenever it can get done.  If this is the round in which the Hockey Gods deem it then who am I to disagree?  Game 6 was a nail biter with the Canucks clearly determined to get back on their game.  Each time Vancouver scored, the Hawks answered back though.  Loungo didn't start this game in net but he had to finish because Schnieder left the game with an injury.  I'm not saying Lou's the reason the Hawks won it in overtime...or am I?  Game 7 is Tuesday and you can bet there isn't anything on the face of this earth that will keep me from watching!  
         
  • Preds/Ducks - I've said it before and I'm still saying it - The Most Entertaining Series of round one.  Yes, these games have been ungodly late to start and the overtimes by the teams playing ahead of them haven't helped that.  Let me assure you they've been totally worth staying up to watch.  Anahiem came back in game 4 with a commanding 6-3 win after being totally embarrassed about their play in game 3.  The Preds, who have never made it beyond the first round of playoffs, pulled together and said "Not This Year."  They gritted it out in game 5, sending the game into overtime by scoring with just 36 seconds left in the 3rd period.  It took less than 2 minutes in overtime to get the winning goal and send the series to game 6.  The Ducks scored first in game 6 and the Preds answered back with two goals of their own.  The Ducks tied the score late in the second but the Preds owned the third period getting the winner and an empty netter to boot.   I am NEVER sad to see the Ducks laid to waste and this time is no different.  
  • Coyotes/Wings - The Red Wings finished sweeping the Coyotes out of the first round pretty easily.  Makes me glad the Wild didn't get into the playoffs - that's what this particular series did for me.  Of course, the real story here is whether or not the Coyotes are moving back to Winnipeg.  Will they or won't they?  If you believe everything you read in the press - who knows?  The media seems to think it's a done deal but Bettman is denying it to the hilt.  I'm not even sure who the lesser of the two evils is in that pairing but I can't help feeling sad for the Yotes fans.  Minnesota's been there, done that - having lost an NHL team.  The difference between us is that you can take it to the bank that Arizona will never get an expansion team ever again.  Just as hockey should have never left Minnesota, the game never should have been transplanted in the middle of the desert. 
  • Habs/Bruins - The Bruins were down 3-1 halfway through game 4.  They battled back in the second period and then fell behind 4-3 early in the third.  With less than 7 minutes left in regulation the Bruins tied the game to send it into, you guessed it, overtime.  It took 2 minutes into OT for Boston to put the winning goal in the net.  Game 5 was a nail biter with two scoreless periods and the Bruins taking the 1-0 lead early in the third period.  With six minutes left in regulation the Habs finally got one past the Bruins goalie and into overtime we go...familiar territory in round one.  In fact, it took 2 overtimes to get the job done but the Bruins stuck it out to come away with the lead in the series, coming back from a 2-0 series deficit.  Game 6 is Tuesday.   
  • Kings/Sharks - Runner Up for Most Entertaining Series of Round One.  Game 3 started out with the Kings trampling all over the Sharks 3-0 in the first period but this game would turn out to be the Battle Royale of the series so far.  the second period was a scoring buffet with a total of 7 goals being scored and the game tied up.  There was a moritorium on scoring in the third period so off to overtime they went.  The Sharks scored early to finish the game off but it was still close to 1:00 a.m. before it was over.  Games 4 and 5 were relative snooze fests in comparison: Sharks 6-3 in game 4, Kings 3-1 in game 5 - a game in which the goals were all scored within the first 9 minutes and their goalie made 51 saves.  Game 6 is Monday night.    
  • Flyers/Sabres - Game 4 was mild (Sabres 1-0) compared to game 5: Sabres up 3-0 in the first period and then watched as the Flyers scored 2 in the second and 1 in the third to send the game into...shockingly, overtime.  Buffalo found their game in OT but still felt embarrassed when all was said and done.  Game 6 just pissed me off with the Flyers answering back every time the Sabres scored and yes, there was overtime.  The Flyers pulled this one out of their butts and have forced a game 7 on Tuesday night.  The Sabres better get their heads on straight - I'm counting on them. 

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Calder Cup & Stanley Cup: Round One Rolls On

NHL and NBC 
Wow - didn't think this would ever happen again but the record setting deal is in place through the 2020-2021 season.  Jesus, can you even wrap your head around the year 2020?  For those of you with the cable/satellite provider who doesn't offer Versus - drop their shit now and get with the program. 

Quest for the Calder Cup
Let's not forget that our Houston Aeros are playing for the Calder Cup.  Our boys swept the Peoria Rivermen right out of the first round.  The future appears to be looking up for the Wild.  For the best coverage of our farm team add T3I to your favorites and check in often.  Some of my favorite writers are found there, including the very charming MsConduct, who also writes for InGoalMagazine.  I've been a huge fan of hers for some time now and once you read her blog I guarantee you'll be hooked as well.  My favorite tweet of hers during game 2: "Have said "F**k me" at least 20 times during this game. New playoff slogan: Aeros Playoff Hockey: Enjoy Your Heart Attack."  My kind of hockey fan!  I'd love to take in a game with her some time.  
     
Tampa Bay vs Pittsburgh: Pens 2-1 series
New York vs Washington: Caps 2-1 series
Montreal vs Boston: Habs 2-1 series
Buffalo vs Philadelphia: Flyers 2-1 series


Nashville vs Anaheim: Preds 2-1 series
Chicago vs Vancouver: Canucks 3-1 series
Phoenix vs Detroit: Wings 3-0 series
Los Angeles vs San Jose: Sharks 1-1 series

  • Rangers/CapsFavorite tweet from Russo: "Gaborik is honestly going to pull his groin if he keeps dodging checks and turning it over like this."  Funniest moment of the series was watching Ovechkin try to put a hit on Brian Boyle...Ovie bounced right off of Boyle like he was a tennis ball.  Second best tweet of the series from Puck Daddy: "Wow, almost had a Marian Gaborik sighting there for a second."   Favorite chant of the series: "Avery Sucks!  Avery Sucks!  Avery Sucks!" 
         
  • Penguins/Lightning - The Bolts were determined to do better in their second game and boy, did they.  The final score Friday night was 5-1.  Brett Clark took a puck to the face and after being attended to on the ice by the trainer he managed to get up and make it to the locker room on his own.  It's the playoffs, baby.  Ultimately Tampa Bay doesn't have what it takes to get past the Pens, IMHO, and while they won't go down without a fight, they will go down.  Game 3 is Wednesday night. 

  • Hawks/Canucks - The Hawks seem to have forgotten the first rule of hockey - puck possession.  My favorite moment of the series so far is the Canucks sandwich from game 2.  There were 3 Hawks putting a crushing check on a Vancouver player.  Almost as good as a goal, which Chicago desperately needs.  Game three felt like the Little Engine That Could with the Hawks taking a 3-1 lead before the 2nd period was over and never looking back.  They chased Louongo from the net in the early minutes of the third period after scoring their 6th goal of the game.  Lou has a history of ultimately choking in playoff series but I didn't think it would be in game 4 of the first round.  This doesn't mean Vancouver is necessarily down and out but Lou being ousted usually signals the rest of the Canucks starting to unravel as well.  And sure enough, 3 Canucks got 10 minute game misconducts shortly afterwards.  The 7-1 blowout made the Hawks fans feel like there's hope. 
         
  • Preds/Ducks - The Most Entertaining Series of round one.  Ducks take a 4-1 lead in the second game and then the Preds came back in the third period to bring the score to 4-3.  Ducks end up winning 5-3 thanks to an empty netter but they were sweating it, big time, during the last 3 minutes of that game.   Game 3 was high-energy, high-impact, high-emotion all the way.  Preds score twice within 38 seconds during the first period.  The Ducks come back with Selanne scoring twice within 30 seconds in the second period to tie the game.  The third period had the Preds scoring, the Ducks answering back within 90 seconds and then the Preds putting the game away with the winning goal.  There were boarding and roughing and fighting penalties in the second period which combined for a total of 22 minutes being served in the box.  This is how Selanne summed up Sunday night's game: "Well, something a little bright thing," he said of the Ducks' brief comeback, "but we have no reason to lose this (expletive) game. No business. They wanted it more, they won the battles. We're lucky even to be in the game. Very disappointed."

  • Coyotes/Wings - The Red Wings scuttled the Coyotes in seven games in last year's first-round series.  They've now won four of five playoff games against the Coyotes in Phoenix over the last two years. They can close out the series and sweep the Coyotes in game 4 on Wednesday night.  Boy, can I feel the Coyotes pain - been there, done that in round one a couple of times.  Just to give you a feel for the hockey machine that is Detroit: they scored all four of their goals in the first three minutes of each period – and on their first shot of each period.  In game three Valtteri Filppula made it 3-0 just 2:50 into the second to put the Red Wings in complete control with Johan Franzen adding the breakaway goal in the opening minute of the third.  I won't say toast just yet but I think the Coyotes are up against a brick wall.  It doesn't help that their goaltending has completely cracked at this point.   

  • Habs/Bruins - The story in this series has been Zdeno Chara, and it starts by going back six weeks ago when his hit on Max Pacioretty left the Habs player with a broken vertebra in his neck and a concussion.  Pacioretty is still out of the line up.  The crowd at Bell Centre for game 3 was purely hostile but the Bruins quieted the 21,000 booing and jeering fans by taking their first lead of the series just over three minutes into the game.  Boston got their first win in the series at Montreal after Chara returned to the lineup after being being sidelined with dehydration issues after catching a virus before game 2.  Game 4 is Thursday, just enough time to let game 3 sink in and fester in Montreal. 

  • Kings/Sharks - The Kings needed some of their 'lesser known' players to step up.  The team was without Jarret Stoll, due to suspension.  Anze Kopitar is out with a season-ending broken ankle.  Goalie Jonathan Quick was a brick wall, getting the shutout.  The blue line rocked for 3 goals, 4 assists and 11 blocked shots, as well as an efficient power play to even up the series.  Again, I'm glad to see the Kings respond so well but ultimately I think the series will go to the Sharks.  We'll see how game three goes - and I won't be staying up for it, so check in here for the final score.  Okay, I watched the first period - aka: Train Wreck. The Kings scored 2 quick goals and had Niemi reeling in the net.   


  • Flyers/Sabres - And to think, the Wild coulda/shoulda/woulda had Peter Laviolette behind the bench 2 years ago...sigh.  Making the tough decisions, based on what's best for the team, Laviolette put the backup goalie Brain Boucher in net for game 3.  Boucher made 35 saves and the Flyers squeaked out the win to take the 2-1 lead in the series.  Coach Laviolette also inserted Zherdev in the lineup who scored the winning goal.  The Sabres have their work cut out for them going into game 4 Wednesday night and it will be interesting to see what, if any, changes Lindy Ruff makes. 
Whew!  I'm a little exhausted after putting this together for you all.  I'll do another update closer to Friday in order to get the bulk of games 3 and 4 out of the way.  In the meantime, don't forget to introduce yourselves to MsConduct and The3rdIntermission.  Also - the Twins may not be off to the best start but it is baseball season so get behind our boys of summer.  I'm wearing my Jim Thome jersey with great pleasure these days...thanks to Santa Claus - aka: Connie and Randy.  LOVE ME some Jim Thome!     

Friday, April 15, 2011

Here We Go!!

Tampa Bay vs Pittsburgh: Pens 1-0 series
New York vs Washington: Caps 1-0 series
Montreal vs Boston: Habs 1-0 series 
Buffalo vs Philadelphia: Bruins 1-0 series

Nashville vs Anaheim: Preds 1-0 series
Chicago vs Vancouver: Canucks 1-0 series
Phoenix vs Detroit: Wings 1-0 series
Los Angeles vs San Jose: Sharks 1-0 series  


This is what it's all about and someday...before I die...


Everybody has their first games in hand now and should be getting those butterflies settled down. 

  • I'm taking particular interest in the Rangers/Caps series - for a couple of really obvious reasons: 1. I love my boyfriend Ovechkin, and 2. I hate Gaborik.  So, you know it was with much glee and giggling that I watched Ovi tie the game to send it into overtime and then watched with much happiness as Semin potted the winning goal.  Take that, Porcelain Groinboy - mwuhaahaahaaaa!  
  • Vance's home team didn't get off to a great start in the Hawks/Canucks series as they pretty much watched Vancouver control the entire game.  This is not last year's Stanley Cup team and the aforementioned butterflies probably had a lot to do with getting beat 3-0.  There were post clangers galore though, and to me - that's a good sign for game 2.  
  • Desert hockey meets Hockey Town - BIG TIME.  The Coyotes/Wings series kicked off with a bang in Detroit.  It doesn't matter how empty the Joe is during the regular season, come playoff time those seats are filled with the rockin'est, stompin'est fans around.  The Yotes made the final score of 4-2 look better than they actually played, you have to look no further than their 0 - 5 powerplay results.  I'm hoping the dogs make a series out of this first round cuz I really hate teams that live up to the media-hyped foregone conclusions.  
  • Anaheim fans were missing their team when they packed the arena for the first game in the Ducks/Preds series.  That's because of the combined 46 minutes of penalty box time served by the Ducks - mostly in the 3rd period when the game was clearly lost, along with their tempers.  The Preds stuck to playing their game and came out of the slug fest with the 4-1 win.  If only Barry Trotz were available for that vacant coaching job in Minnesota...heavy sigh...  
  • Ole, Ole-Ole-Ole is what Montreal was singing in the visiting lockerroom after taking the first game, handily, in the Bruins/Canadiens opener, 2-0.  Boston just never looked like they were in synch with each other.  Despite outshooting the Habs at times it was almost painful to watch this game.  Nice to hear Wild fans aren't the only ones to boo their team off the ice...Bruins need to get their act together for Saturday night.  Maybe put a certain Hobbit in the net to shake things up?  Just sayin'.    
  • It helps that Buffalo is coming into the playoffs as a red hot team, raring to go.  It also helps that Chris Pronger is out of the lineup for Philidelphia.  The Sabres/Flyers series is on my radar because I love Ryan Miller and I hate the Flyers - all of them.  I chuckled out loud as Buffalo held the 1-0 lead and shutout the Flyers.  Okay, I laughed out loud - hard -  and peed a little too.  I shouldn't get too cocky though, this series will get ugly.  It's the Flyers, you know.        
  • The Late Show - also known as the Sharks/Kings series is worth staying up for.  The Kings are making a name for themselves as of late (ie: last couple of seasons) and it's nice to see a team that's been irrelevant for so long come back to the limelight.  The Sharks have last year's Cup winning goalie in net, Antti Niemi - who they now refer to as "Finding Nemo", get it?  I think if there's ever a jinx on a goalie it would be that nickname.  Besides, Disney ain't in San Jose.  In the most EPIC game 1 of the first round, the Kings make a game of it and tie it up to send the battle into overtime.  Big Joe Pavelski gets the OT winner and the Shark Tank erupts! 
  • Pittsburgh was not very hospitable to it's visitors in their first game of the Pens/Lightning series.  Marc-Andre Fleury shut out the Bolts in game 1 and the goals were all scored by...wait for it... NOT Crosby or Malkin.  As much as it pains me, the Pens are the team I'm most interested in through the finals.  There's something to be said about a team that comes together in the face of adversity...see Side Rant below.  
Side Rant - or - Bitter, Table For One Part ll -  
While I hate spotlighting the Pens for anything I have to hold them up for example here.  The Penguins have that certain something which is so elusive for the Wild players ... ACCOUNTABILITY.  The Pens are missing Crosby and Malkin and yet, here they are in the playoffs.  Hmmm, that means their players banded together and collectively said: "We're in this to win it and it's up to those of us still standing to get it done."  I wonder if any of the Wild players are watching or if they're just sulking around the house and getting on their wive's nerves.  There's a lesson to be learned here - even if the Pens are bounced in the first round look at the pride the players can take out of it due to the fact that they gave 100% of themselves, each and every one of them, to make the playoff drive happen. 
Every one of the Pens defer to their goalie, Fleury, for having kept them in the hunt after losing Malkin and Crosby.  Fleury was without a doubt the number one star of their game Wednesday night.  We've got a goalie who's just as good as Fleury - that's Backstrom.  How many games did he carry for the Wild this last season?  More than any goalie should have to - and the same can be said for Jose as well.  Is it any wonder that they both pooped out along the way when it became clear that the team wasn't going to play in front of them, for whatever their selfish reasons were?  

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Playoff Season Begins

Bitter, Table For One
How wrong is this - Phoenix and Nashville are in the playoffs but Minnesota isn't.  It's just fucking wrong.  I mean, desert hockey and grand ole opry hockey makes it but the State Of Hockey doesn't make it to the playoffs.  Jesus Christ, why do I follow this team??    

2011 NHL Playoffs - Round One 
Before I get into things here's my Cup Prediction: 
Western Conference comes down to San Jose and Vancouver with the Sharks taking it.  
Eastern Conference comes down to Pittsburgh and Boston with the Pens taking it.  
Stanley Cup goes to Pittsburgh (limited play by Crosby due to concussion issues) 
***DISCLAIMER***  those of you thinking of betting based on this you should know I've NEVER picked a winner. 

This is my favorite time of year, hockey peeps!  Well, next to 100 degree sunny time of year this is my favorite time of year.  Playoff hockey everywhere you turn!  I was watching the Phoenix/Detroit game, hearing how rockin' loud the fans were, and thinking to myself - 'Man, I miss that vibration and physical buzz you get when you're in a playoff arena.'  And who is texting me while I'm thinking this thought?  Well, that would be the Greatest Hockey Partner In The World, Vicki - telling me she's feeling the exact same thing.  Don't ever try to tell either one of us that we're not hockey twins.  It's pretty much a psychic connection thing between us.

First Round Match Ups

Chicago vs Vancouver 
L.A. vs San Jose
Phoenix vs Detroit
Nashville vs Anaheim
     
New York Rangers vs Washington
Buffalo vs Filthadelphia
Montreal vs Boston
Tampa Bay vs Pittsburgh

Where Are They Now?
I put together a list of former Wild players who are logging extra ice time in the playoffs instead of feeling like shit for having gotten their coach fired...oops, was that out loud?  Anywho - 
  • John Scott and Nick Leddy are playing for the Hawks.  I'm not trying to beat a dead horse with Johnsson for Barker and Leddy trade but...
  • Derek Boogaard and Marian Gaborik are playing for the Rangers.  Okay, Derek's not really making any impact with the Rangers but he was beloved here in Minnesota at one time.  Gaborik?  Well, he's pretty much the waaay overpaid version of Marty Havlat - plays when he feels like it and it's a beautiful thing when he does.  But we all know it's short-lived because he only likes to work part time...just like Marty Havlat.  
  • Sean O'Donnell is playing for the Flyers.  I only mention him because he was with the Wild during our inaugural season and he was the team's very first captain.  He complained the whole time he was here and demanded a trade after that first season, stating that he'd never wanted to come here in the first place.  You can all pretty much guess I'm hoping for a quick and embarrassing first round exit for the Flyers.  
  • Pascal Dupuis and Zybenik Michalek are playing for the Penguins.  Good old "Mono Brow" and "Squirrel Nut Zippers."  I wish them well on their quest for the cup. 
  • Benoit Pouliot is playing for the Canadians.  PouDiddy is doing better than Patrick O' Sullivan in that he's still up in the NHL and hasn't been shipped off to the farm team - yet.  It's rumored that Benny will likely spend the playoffs in the press box making popcorn in French, kinda like he did for the Wild, only in English. 
  • Andy Sutton is playing for the Ducks.  Andy was a total pylon of a defenseman while he was with the Wild but he could land the hay makers when necessary.  I have a signed picture of Andy during his peroxide blond days. 
  • Willie Mitchell is playing for the Kings.  Willie's been around the league since leaving the Wild and he's managed to alienate every team he's left with his exit interview comments.  Go San Jose!  
  • Eric Belanger and Andrew Ebbett are playing for the Coyotes.  Eric's infamous self-dental work on the Capitals bench during the playoffs last year.  Say what you will about this guy being a cancer in the locker room - at least he shows up every night and guts it out for every team he's been with.  Something Marty Havlat could learn from... Andrew Ebbett is a hard worker, grinder kind of player who probably won't see a ton of ice time but he's in the show, which is more than I can say about anyone on the Wild this season.
  • Dominic Moore (yummy, please, may I have some Moore), Adam Hall, Marc-Andre Bergeron (Tea Cup) and Dwayne Roloson are all suited up for the Lightning going into the first round of the playoffs.  All of these players hold special places in my heart but that doesn't sway me into thinking their current team will go far.  I'm saying first round exit but valiant effort, thanks mostly to Roli The Goalie... You go, you old fart!    
  • Shane Hnidy and Anton Khudobin are playing for the Bruins.  My Hobbit's in the Cup Playoffs!!  How fucking awesome is that?  Here's an excerpt from one of the articles this week on BostonBruins.com: "Khudobin will take his time in Boston to learn from two of the league’s best goaltenders in Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask." 
  • “Timmy has really good stats and he’s an unbelievable goalie. Tuukka, he’s an intensive goalie who has a really good glove,” Khudobin said.  “We will have enough days to talk about hockey.”  Asked about his own style, Khudobin said, "I just try to stop the puck."   I just love my little hobbit - he's so genuine...sigh.    
That makes 18 former Wild players who are sharpening their skates and taping their sticks for the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs.  Not that I'd want to take all of them back but it does make you wonder...how come they're good enough to play on a team actually in the playoffs but not good enough to still be with the Wild?  

I gotta get back to watching hockey.  Going forward I'll post series scores and updates at the top of the blog and then get into things.  I also have some notes to share from listening to Russo on ESPN 1500 AM earlier tonight.  Here's the replay of the show, including a Twins review that's worth listening before Russo Radio starts. 
    

Monday, April 11, 2011

Year Ten Review

But First, Some Housekeeping...
Yep, I called it - April 11, 2011 and Todd Richards is fired. 

Was Richards thrown under the bus, made to be the sacrificial lamb?  Sure - a little.  Did he have a team with a couple of superstars to work with?  No.  Did he have the buy-in of the players he was coaching?  No.  And that's the difference.  I wasn't in the room, on the ice or in the meetings with the players so all of my ramblings are purely speculation.  Any similarities to what actually plays out in the press in the following weeks and months should be seen as purely lucky conjecture. 
Here's my take - Richards never took control of the team from the get go.  He never earned the respect of the players by showing them he had an actual plan of action they could follow.  Todd was lost, in over his head and it showed on a nightly basis.  Richards didn't hold his key players responsible for executing his vision, whatever that was.  The way he stumbled through every post game press conference led me to believe he probably stumbled through practices and team meetings.  We all saw the results on the ice come game time. 
The top two complaints I'm reading today are the same ones Vicki, Dave and I have had for the last two seasons:
1.  Richards refused to match lines putting the wrong line combos on the ice which gave the visiting team a huge advantage every home game.  Gee, do you think there's a correlation to how crummy our record was at home this season? 
2.  Richards didn't hold his key players responsible for their actions (or should I say non-actions?) and either wouldn't or couldn't communicate with them until the damage was permanently done.  Gee, do you suppose that has something to do with Koivu acting like a spoiled child for much of the season and Havlat acting like a prima dona for the entire season?

I wish the best for Todd as he moves forward with his life and career.  Even though he's not totally to blame - see my Accountability rant further down in this post - he really was out of his element and not fully prepared to do what needed to be done with this team.  Jacques Lemaire left some really big coaching shoes to fill and Todd's still wearing coaching booties, if you will.   

Along with Todd, assistant coach Dave Barr and video coach PJ DeLuca were also fired.  Hmmmm, Rick Wilson - the defensive coach, still on staff.  The one guy who clearly did his job all season long, witnessed by the development of Clayton Stoner, Jared Spurgeon, Justin Falk and Marco Scandella, is still standing.  Of course, Rick's job could also be in peril but it's just not public as of now.  I really think Rick will be here through his last year on his contract.  He's a solid defensive coach and he's the only one in a suit behind the bench that was ever actively guiding the players during a game.  As for Darby Hendrickson, I'm surprised his release wasn't announced along with Barr's and DeLuca's.  My assumption is that Darby will be walking out the front door of the X within minutes of our new head coach walking in the front door.  Let's be honest with each other here, putting Darby behind the Wild bench was the dumbest, emptiest PR move the Wild have ever made.  How else can you explain this man, with ZERO previous coaching experience, getting handed the job if it's not for his hometown/hometeam connection to the Wild?  

And Now - Year Ten Review...
Home Opener, 2011 - Vicki and I are excitedly making our way to our seats for another season of Wild hockey.  We made a pact that we wouldn't speak of this being our last year together as season ticket holders.  The both of us agreed that this season was probably going to suck from a hockey perspective and we didn't need to add any more stress to the mix.  Afterall, we'd lived through the first year of Coach Richards during the previous season and knew we were in for a big dose of 'same story, different season.'  We told each other we'd just enjoy the season for what it was - two friends watching the sport they love, played by the team they love. 
We bounded down the stairs of our section, eager to hear the announcer herald our Call To Arms.  Reaching our seats we found them draped with Year Ten Towels.  The motto for Year Ten was "It's In Our Blood."  This was printed on the towels in large bold black print with the Wild logo just below it and off to the left corner was "EST. 2000" in smaller black print.  Kinda impressive.  Behind the motto/logo the following words were printed in gray shadow:
TENACITY    TRADITION    SPEED    AGILITY    VISION    UNSELFISHNESS    PASSION    HONESTY   COMMITTMENT    FOCUSED    DETERMINATION    MOTIVATION    HARDWORKING    DISCIPLINE    PREPARATION        

Fine upstanding words, these.  Quite an impressive mission statement.  Too bad the players didn't have these towels hanging in their lockers all season long.  Maybe Havlat would have put in a full season's worth of HARDWORKING and UNSELFISHNESS.  Just think if these towels were on the bench during each game.  Maybe Koivu would have more HONESTY and VISION when his team was faltering, including his own performance.  What if the towels were draped across their plane seats each time the team boarded for an out of town series.  Perhaps Gui Latendresse would have put in the proper PREPARATION.  Miettinen might have found his MOTIVATION and Chuck Kobasew could have been more FOCUSED.  If these towels had been passed around at morning practice maybe the players would have united in their PASSION and COMMITTMENT to playing 60 minutes every game.  Or, the players would have the TENACITY and DISCIPLINE it takes to play when they were down by a goal or two.

Yep, fine upstanding words, these.  I've got one more and I'm hoping it will be the word that's tattooed on each player's forehead with a new coach coming in.  That word is ACCOUNTABILITY.  You know, like the players being held ACCOUNTABLE for taking shifts, periods or entire game nights off.  Please, oh great and benevolent Hockey Gods, hear my prayer.  Starting next season make each Wild player, regardless of the size of their paycheck or which letter they wear on their sweater, ACCOUNTABLE.  


Saturday, April 9, 2011

It Comes Down To This

Well, here I am - at the end of ten years as a Wild season ticket holder.  I have a pain that can only be described as heartache from the loss of a true love.  Except that this true love will remain a presence in my life; on tv, on the radio, online and the occasional trip home to the X.  My true love also lives on in the 10 years of memorabilia that I've been sorting through and organizing this week.  Oceans of tears have been mixed in with silent smiles broken up by giggles and chuckles as each of the seasons have once again played out for me. 
I have it all, folks - starting with the seat deposit confirmation in 1997 to the naming of the team to the unveiling of the logo and first jersey to the very first game program in 2000 to the 2003 playoff tickets to the hockey survival kit during the lockout to the division title to the end of an era seeing Jacques Lemaire go and now through Year Ten.  
There are game programs, ticket stubs, calendars - both wall and magnet types.  There are mugs - ceramic and glass, drinking glasses and shot glasses, posters and player cards.  There are renewal packages with themes for each season followed by season ticket packages with patches and pins.  There are playoff towels and pom-poms, t-shirts and doggie kerchiefs.  There are mittens, stocking caps and headbands.  There are lunch bags, wrapping paper, key chains, pucks and bobble heads.  That's before I even touch the three expanding cases filled with signed player pictures.  And yes, one of those cases holds only Wes Walz...ALOT of Wes Walz...more Wes Walz than one stalking fan probably deserves or needs.  But he's mine, all mine...
How can I possibly feel so heartbroken and lost surrounded by 13 years of Wild history?  It comes down to having been there.  From wearing a hard hat for the construction tour of the X to getting my picture taken with the Stanley Cup on Opening Night.  Season One through Season Ten, game after game - it comes down to being there.  In my seat, on the edge of my seat, leaping to my feet to cheer and feeling the building vibrate.  Being there, regardless of the weather outside, the kind of day I had leading up to the drop of the puck or even how poorly the Wild played on some nights. 
It comes down to being surrounded by fellow fans who love the team as much as I do, who love hockey as much as I do.  It comes down to Vicki - the best hockey partner EVER.  Who else would have let me profess my love for Wes (at the top of my lungs) as he skated out on the ice before the start of every game?  Or share in the delight of watching Manny Fernandez doing the butterfly splits?  We completed each other's sentences - including the appropriate curse words - when yelling at the team.  She smells her game programs and signs us up for the raffles.  It's all about Vicki singing the Wild Anthem, the National Anthem and Oh, Canada with equal bravado, but REALLY belting out the Bon Jovi tunes during the tv time outs.  It comes down to Vicki being as thrilled as I am at the start of every game when the announcer says: "Okay Minnesota, On Your Feet!  Here They Come...Your Minne-Sota Wild!"      
Vicki will take good care of the seats, along with Dave, going forward and who better to entrust them to?  Still, it comes down to knowing I won't be there for the sights, sounds, smells and emotions of the next Wild season. 

I'm going to try to be done with being maudlin but I ain't promising anything.  I am working on a post which hopefully will purge all of the anger and disappointment I'm feeling towards the team.  They say it's good to get your feelings out in the open...