LOST - MINNESOTA WILD
Last seen in December 2011. If found please return to Mike Yeo at Excel Energy Center.
Wow - what can you say about a team that just checked out for the holidays in December and hasn't bothered to return to the ice since? The issue with this team goes way beyond the injuries, although we've certainly got our share. The real problem is these guys stopped playing and haven't found it within themselves to start up again. It's not about the 'program' or the 'system' or the 'process', okay Mike?? You've worn those buzz words into the ground so don't even go there. Kicking some serious hockey ass is required at this point. Apparently it starts by scratching Setoguchi from the Wild vs Sharks game. In a move that appears to be disciplinary in nature by Coach Yeo, Devin found himself in the pressbox instead of on the ice against his old team. Evidently he missed a team meeting this morning and Yeo doesn't put up with that shit. Post game presser is going to be VERY interesting. Of course, Devin may have had a good reason?
****Coach Yeo states violation of team rule as reason for scratching Setoguchi.
MATT CULLEN SKATING IN 1000TH GAME TONIGHT!
First Class guy all the way and we got to celebrate it with him in MInnesota. He ends up being one of the stars of the game.
Bouchard Out With Concussion
According to Russo - Bouchard will "speak" on Wednesday. Anyone want to put money down that he's retiring? His melon has had one too many bruises and quite frankly there's more to life than risking your long term health for the sake of playing a game.
Side Note: Loving the new NBCSports! Okay, not much change in format from VS but still. I'm hoping that by NBC stepping up to the plate with this move, more network NHL hockey games can't be far behind?
1st Period Wild 1, Sharks 1
In his 1000th game, Matt Cullen almost scored a goal. He would have - if only he would have followed up on the rebound...just sayin'. Cal Clutterbuck gets his 11th goal of the season and the goal horn sounds! God, I miss being in the arena for that. What a pretty pass from Wellman for the assist. I just have to say it's soo weird to see Brent Burns in a uniform that isn't MN Wild in nature. Mike Yeo not looking too confident during his in-game on the bench interview. OMG - Wild actually got a shot on goal during a power play! Holy Mother of Lord Stanley, Harding makes a MONSTER save against Joe Thornton!! Bad turnover by Wild leading to the Shark's drive but seriously highlight reel save by Josh. Wild follow that up with two consecutive penalties, giving the Sharks a 5-3 powerplay. IDIOTS. And the Wild lay down on the ice to allow the Sharks to score within seconds. Undisciplined hockey - Wild are the poster team for it. Russo wouldn't have any room for his laptop in the press box if Yeo sat all the players who aren't playing worth a crap.
Chuckleworthy
Dustin Penner out with a back injury thanks to Attack Of The Pancakes! No, it's not a science fiction movie fit for Mystery Science Theater 3000. He really hurt himself while reaching for the maple syrup. Dustin has endured a very public lashing regarding his physical condition so the fact that he actually owned up to how he injured himself makes him a real man in my eyes.
2nd Period Wild 2, Sharks 1
Heately's first shift and he's actually playing hockey at both ends of the ice. Perhaps message received? Once again, refs letting opponents set up house in the blue paint without calling goalie interference. Stand tall, Josh! Swear to God, Nick Johnson is the ONLY DMan on the Wild to take the puck into the OZone himself. Wild have attitude this period but not sure if it's the right kind. They're on the verge of being pissy instead of gritty which could lead to stupid penalties. As Vicki put it "wish Wild would get scorey instead of pissy". Scorey, yep - I'm running with that one. Refs working with eyes closed - can't seem to ever see the puck when Wild is banging away in front of the opponent's net. Whistled down plays galore. Call Me Homer.
***Dear Brent Burns: I get that you're pissed off about being traded but do you have to be a one man wrecking ball on your former team?? Three Wild players hurt by Burns in three games - geez.
Warren Peters, who doesn't really care about Brent Burns' feelings scores to put the Wild up 2-1. The Wild continue to pressure Niemi at the goal mouth - Cullen clangs one off the post and then a flurry of players working the rebound to pop the puck out from under Niemi's pads. Unfortunately, the play was whistled dead but Clutterbuck took on 3 Sharks players afterwards and he was very articulate on the bench...#pottymouth ;) LOVE me some Josh Harding and his mini-me, Justin Falk defending our goal! In a complete switch of allegience refs call a penalty on Sharks for boarding Clayton Stoner.
And The Sportswriter Of The Year for Minnesota Is...
Michael Russo! I dunno, kind of a no-brainer if you ask me but I'm a tad bit biased. Also big shout out to Bob Kurtz and Tom Reid who were named the Sportscasters of the Year for Minnesota. Those folks over at the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association (NSSA) really know their stuff. Note to Craig Leipold: FIRE Terhar and Greenlay.
3rd Period Wild 4, Sharks 4
Wild start the period with the 10 remaining seconds of "habitual momentum-killing" power play from the second period. Quote supplied by Russo tweet along with this stat: 1 for 31 in power plays for last 12 games. Sharks wanna rumble this period and the WIld need to be smart and walk away. McIntyre takes a penalty but the Wild withstand the pressure while Clutterbuck gets a shot on goal - shorthanded, of course. Nick Schultz standing tall in front of Josh and physically removing Sharks players from the crease. That's new for him. Wild may actually play 20 minutes of good hockey tonight if this keeps up. And to prove it, Nick Johnson scores on a beautifully choreographed drive to the net. Wild up 3-1. Cullen getting more shots on goal tonight than he has all season, just a guess. Sharks answer back with a goal to bring them within one goal. I'm sending Fire Ants (it's a southern thing) to Vlasic's breezers. Mikko has had just about enough of Thornton and is shouting Finnish swear words at him on his way to the bench, just a guess. I never get tired of hearing that goal horn and just when I was starting to miss it Cullen drives to the net, gets stuffed but Wellman comes right into the mix and bangs the puck in off of Cullen's leg. So there - Cully gets a goal in his 1000th game!! And then the Wild fall apart - in EPIC fashion - by letting in 2 back to back unanswered goals in 22 seconds by the Sharks. Heading to OT instead of hitting the showers with the first solid win in forever. Have to say that 4th Sharks goal was classically beautiful, tic-tac-toe and into the net. Harding feeling shame here.
OT Wild 4, Sharks 4
Harding looks like a junior league goalie and almost gives the game away within the first minute. Wild defense letting the Sharks skate right in on Harding in the second minute of OT. Three minutes in and the Wild and I don't think the Wild have a shot on goal or a real drive to the Shark's net.
Shoot Out Wild 5, Sharks 4
Cullen - shoots a dribbler that actually gets drug/kicked into the net by Niemi!
Sharks - stoned by Hards!
Koivu - scores with authority - backhand to forehand!
Sharks - stoned by Hards!!
WILD WIN, WILD WIN, WILD WIN, WILD WIN!!!
Jack Jablonski Links
@jabs_13 on twitter
CaringBridge link
Facebook link
TShirt link
Hockey Day In Minnesota link
LOST - DEEICING BLOGGER
Lost her way for a while but found her way back to the blogosphere. She won't go missing again.
There was the move to Georgia, the getting settled into Georgia, the finding my way around Georgia, the making of new friends in Georgia, the coming down with H1N1 flu in Georgia. It's kind of been one thing after another since getting here but I've been faithfully watching the Wild and having some great text conversations with folks back home for each game. I promise I'm fixin' to blog regular-like again, whether y'all cotton to it or not.
Southernspeak - Part One
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