We Won, They Lost
There - no muss, no fuss. You can go about your bidniz now and be done with me.
It's been suggested by some of you
**There's a certain husband of mine out there I'm sure I'll be hearing from after this - bring it on! (inside joke, folks - nobody's missed a ceremony)
Bruno's Milestone
Before I break the game down I want to point everyone in the direction of Russo's fabulous column on Andrew Brunette playing in his 1000 NHL game on Tuesday night. I'll tell you what - I have journalist envy when Michael Russo writes something like this. This is the reason I dabble in the written word about the Wild, amateur and unpolished as I am.
- Brunette Reaches Milestone
- The Bruno File -fun facts here about Bruno's stats and milestones while wearing a Wild sweater.
- All Wild players received this t-shirt when they arrived in the locker room today: Twitter Pic
- Russo Tweet: "Just talked on phone w Dan Brunette. You know tonight's big: He canceled his curling match to watch son Andrew's 1,000th game."
- Puck Daddy also pays homage to Bruno.
Out of everything I've read about Bruno the last few days, it's not a quote by Ray Ferraro or Barry Trotz or even his peewee coach from back in the day that resonates with me. It's this statement from Andrew himself:
"We're playing a game. You don't work hockey. You play hockey."
The Wild will have a ceremony celebrating Bruno's milestone before the home game on February 9th. I'm sure I'll have tears as I cheer loudly and proudly for one of the cornerstones of this franchise.
One of my favorite pictures of Bruno - Just Happy To Be Here
Vacation's Over Boys, Let's Play Hockey!
The Wild hosted the Kings in their first game back after the All Star break. I don't know about the rest of you hockey peeps, but it feels like FOREVER since there's been hockey to watch.
First Period
I didn't expect such a quiet start to the game and was amazed when I realized we were approaching the halfway mark of the first period. Both teams were kinda getting their hockey legs back and a feel for the game. Just goes to show you what a week off from the game and training room does to these full-on athletes. A few rushes for both sides but really, really quiet and uneventful until the Kings took a penalty with 3 minutes left. Good thing Backstrom hadn't been lulled to sleep since he had to make a strong point blank save when the Kings drove in shorthanded. We head into the first intermission with no score: Wild 0, Kings 0.
Second Period
Quicker pace to start the 2nd but the Wild didn't put a shot on goal in the first 5 minutes. This is not a good sign. Gotta be honest with you folks, this is a hard game to write about - neither team is playing outstanding hockey. There have been chances at both ends of the rink, but overall this is badly played game by both teams with a slight edge to the Kings. They've outshot the Wild 13 - 7 with Zanon blocking as many shots as Backstrom makes saves on during a Burns penalty. To answer the question I got from a friend via text - yes, I have actually fallen asleep at a hockey game. Wild 0, Kings 0.
Third Period
Bruno tries his hardest to get us a power play goal in his 1000th game but it doesn't pan out. The Wild apply some terrific pressure during the last 30 seconds of their power play and it's the most offense they've shown all game. After 8 minutes the Kings are still outshooting the Wild and Zanon's established a career and nhl record by having blocked 7 shots in a given game. Backstrom definitely getting the number 1 or 2 star - again. Wild finally spend some quality time in the offensive zone with 7 minutes left. The crowd wakes up but unfortunately, so does Bernier who turns away every shot the Wild get off. I think our guys all took 5 Hour Energy shots during their last rotation on the bench - they are pressuring offensively and collapsing down in front of their goalie. Too bad they didn't have this kind of vim and vinegar during the preceding two periods. Now we're going into overtime. Wild 0, Kings 0.
Vick's running to the bathroom right now. Afterall, she's got a whole minute in which to get there, do her business and get back to her seat. She'll have about 15 seconds to spare.
Overtime
Havlat is the man, keeping the Wild in the offensive zone for most of the overtime. Backstrom makes two or three MONSTER saves in our zone during the last minute and his best friend, the left post made another one for him. We're going to the shootout...is Jose ready to go?? Oops, was that out loud? Wild has lost 8 straight, Backstrom 10 of his past 11; Backstrom 27 saves for third shutout of season no matter what happens in shootout.
Shootout
Kopitar up first and Backstrom pulled a rabbit out of his hat by pokechecking the puck away. Wow.
Havlat makes a weak attempt and is stopped cold.
Johnson up next and even though Nik went down he stopped the puck with his skate. Double Wow.
Bouchard's got the puck next - Bobbi's standing up in her living room right now. He bobbles the puck, recovers and actually gets the puck to dribble in. Hey, ugly totally works. Bobbi's jumping up and down in her living room right now.
Brown ready to have a go at Backstrom but the hockey gods are smiling down on Nik tonight and he's got himself a shootout win and a shutout! Most importantly - it's a win at home.
Wild 1, Kings 0.
Pat yourselves on the back, boys and then buck up. It's off to Colorado and yet another division rival to take on. This will get old really fast, but it has to be the mantra for the Wild from here on out: Each Game Is A Must Win. Remember, the Kings get a point out of the tie in regulation. It's a point that could very well come back to bite the Wild in the ass in about 27 more games.
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