Wild vs Coyotes Recap

As if to prove a point regarding inconsistency - the Wild played yet another game tonight where they showed up for the game in short bursts during each period but didn't put in a full game's effort.  A fairly weak first period with the Wild tying the game in the waning seconds.  They built a two goal lead in the second by putting in some solid shifts, driving to the net and working at rebounds.  The Wild came out in the third period with some serious attitude problems, thinking they were all that and a bag of chips.  The Coyotes made them pay for it by scoring two goals inside of 13 seconds to tie the game.  The boos rained down on the Wild and rightfully so given the Coyotes were outshooting the Wild 10 to 4 at that point in the period.  The Wild spent the next six minutes pouting before deciding to play intense hockey again.

And look at that - they scored on a determined attack in the offensive zone, including catching a rebound to put the puck in the net.  Phoenix, not wanting to be taken lightly, promptly scored two goals by skating around our defense and from the faceoff to take the lead back.  The Wild stepped up to the challenge.  With Jose pulled the team did a great job of owning the offensive zone.  Bruno sprung the puck from behind the net to Bouchard who tied the game with 25 seconds left.  And how's this for a 'who'dathunk' finish to the game - Cam Barker gets the winning goal 46 seconds into overtime!  This is Wild Hockey at it's best...just think if they could put in three full periods of it.



Jose faced 44 shots in his 250th career win.  That's a completely unacceptable amount of shots to face and I was glad to hear Brunette say as much in his post game interview from the ice.  Seven players with minus ratings even though a couple of them had goals.  Havlat was the worst with a -4 for the night but Brokziak was right behind him with -3.  The Wild only put 29 shots on goal.  Nystrom notched his first point at home since coming to the Wild...sad, really sad.


Player of the game has to be Mikko with 4 assists and his decision to lead the team in determination. Bruno is my pick for number two.  The third spot is a tie between Burns (who had a good overall game despite a couple of really stupid plays) and Barker (who is the luckiest bastard on the face of the earth).