I wonder how Cam Barker feels going into Chicago tonight with all of the talk about how the Wild got totally shafted by the Barker for Johnnson/Leddy trade a year ago? Lou Nanne on KFAN today talking about how he hated the trade when it happened and how Barker hasn't done anything to change his mind since then. I agree Lou, I agree. Perhaps some Panda Express and a Wild game that doesn't start 2 hours after my bedtime will make me whole.
1st Period
Marty Havlat gets a nice welcome from the Hawks fans and promptly scores to put the Wild up 1-0. Okay, the guys are off to a good start and my Sweet Fire Chicken is delicious. Just what the doctor ordered after a day of admissions meet-n-greets.
Speaking of how awful the Barker trade was, guess who goes to the penalty box because he's slow and out of position? Three guesses and the first two don't count...and the Hawks score to tie the game on the power play. Suddenly my dinner tastes sour.
Tweet from Russo: "Nice first three shifts for Barker back in Chicago." You can almost see the sarcasm dripping from that tweet...
I want Patrick Sharp the very next time he becomes available. Make it happen, Chuck. Oh, and I love this...
Backstrom had to make a Dobby save after being drug out of the net by our own Andrew Brunette. FFS - what the hell is wrong with this team?
We're lost, we're out of position, we're trapped in our own zone and the Hawks score again. Just call me Missy Pissy. I'm giving the t.v. the "you're fu**ing pissing me off, boys" evil eye glare. For this period you can honestly say that Backstrom was tremendous. He had to be.
2nd Period
The team appears to have pulled their heads out of their asses during that first intermission. While it sure looked like Spurgeon got his first NHL, it was not meant to be - Kobasew gets the credit. Either way, WOO-HOO! We're tied 2-2 and Spurgeon still gets his first point for the assist.
Bouchard is playing some sharp hockey and he's strong against the boards as well.
Notice the Hawks crowd is silent now compared to the first period.
Backstrom again making some monster saves out in front of the net and in the jumble tumble of players all piled up on top of him in his crease. Not surprised to see Greg Zanon at the bottom of the hog pile, once again the last, best defense in front of Nik.
Too much time in our own zone again. Jesus F'g Christ, Guys - grrrrr.
In a text book tic tac toe play - Miettinen to Brunette back to Miettinen and we're up 3-2! Mittens may get the goal on the books but this was all Brunette. A beautiful cross angle pass in front of the goalie who was too busy tracking Brunette to know, or see, that Mittens was lurking, closing in on his open side.
3rd Period
The Wild must be craving cake - lots of icing calls. Despite that, we're watching much more disciplined play by both teams to start the 3rd period.
Uh-Oh, Koivu's getting some medical attention to his face on the bench. Vicki, you okay?
OMFG - Backstrom has had to make a ton of saves with players literally collapsing on top of him. Again, Zanon comes in from behind the net to cover the open space Backstrom can't get to.
BIG pressure by the Hawks during the 10 minute mark with Clutterbuck blocking a Duncan Keith slap shot that would have crippled anyone else, except Zanon. The puck rebounds off of Clutterbuck and Keith goes all howitzer on it, clanging the puck off the pipe! Cal is slow to get up and skates back to the bench on one leg - while getting 'attaboy' stick taps by his linemates on the way. Robyn, you okay?
The Wild come back with their own pressure play in the offensive zone. PMB to Kobasew who puts the puck on their goalie who coughs up the rebound to PMB...who promptly scores!
Hawks get screwed out of a goal by the ref blowing the whistle too soon. On top of that, looked to me like Madden actually would have scored the goal for the Hawks. Two and a half minutes later the fans are still booing. Kinda don't blame them. A puck hits the ref and the fans cheer - loudly.
Toews punches Burns in the back of the head and Havlat gets right in there. I love a team that sticks up for each other. WTF, Toews? Seabrook gets involved, shocking I know. When all is said and done we're looking at 4-4 hockey and Chicago pulls their goalie for the extra man.
Just over a minute to go with Backstrom standing strong, even after losing his stick. Another two 'team goalie' saves and the buzzer sounds.
Backstrom gets the number one for sure with the entire blue line getting the number two. Cal gets the number three for that bruising blocked shot.
Miettinen gets his 200th goal - I'll let him enjoy it for now by biting my tongue regarding his overall play of late.
Four road games and we got six points in regulation. Not too shabby. The team gets to rest now for just under a week and then they need to come back with unwavering determination. Congratulations to Brent and Marty who are both going to the All Star game. I haven't watched an ASG but I just might tune in to see our very own Goober in his first appearance.
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