Wild 3 - Avs 2
- Nothing like hearing your starting goalie's stats on national tv to drive home the fact that he's sucked aa his job of late. Nothing like hearing Mike Milbury just quote Mike Russo's blog/column as his own personal take on the Wild's woes as of late.
- Jesus Backstrom, how about tending the net from inside the blue paint?? Oh wait, it doesn't matter where you are in relation to the blue paint. Dammit Stanley, Avs up 1 - 0. Clutterbuck turnover leads to Galiardi goal which makes Backstrom look lost.
- Gretchen tells me she's flipping back and forth between the game and Kitchen Nightmares. I tell her she's picked the right combination since Nightmare looks to be the common theme for this game already.
- Like that Dany Heatley is called out on national tv to start producing like everyone knows he can. The sad thing about that is he's leading the Wild with 14 goals...ooh , just the top six forward scoring machine the Wild were looking for.
- Like that Devin Setoguchi is called out on national tv for his disappointing season here in MN. After his party all night/diss the team meeting next morning stunt I'm really inclined to think Devin is really not happy here in the State of MN.
- Michelin Man aka: Jean-Sebasstien Giguere in net for the Avs. Brings back BAD memories of the 2003 Finals run. HATE the Ducks, HATED Giguere and his oversized, overstuffed pads and glove.
- Heatley and Setoguchi can't buy a goal so Justin Falk steps up from the blue line and zings one home for his first NHL goal!! In case y'all aren't up on your lip reading, that was a FUCK YEAH!! from Justin afterwards. Love when the kids get their first goals :)
- Too much time in our zone but gotta say the Wild have pep in their step in the first 20 minutes. Cal's getting hit as well as he's giving them - I'm sure Robyn's making threats to the Avs.
- Like that Mike Yeo's getting props.
- Seto drives to the net - more shots on goal this period than the last 10 games? Brodziak shoots the puck like we know he can and then Heatley picks up the rebound and makes Giggy look small. TURTLENECK!! Rich is smiling back in Minnesota :)
Excellent 1st Period for the Wild! We actually outshot our opponent 13 - 4. Backstrom: allows one goal on four shots...not good but let's see how he rolls the rest of the way.
Making My Ears Bleed
I will NEVER have Geico insurance for this reaon.
- Backstrom starts out the 2nd period by being completely out of position on an Avs drive to the net. He got lucky.
- Spending waaay too much time in our own zone and Chuck Kobasew decided it was time to pay a visit to Backstrom's 5 hole - because he used to be on our team and because Backstrom's 5 hole is large. Backstrom has faced 7 shots and let in 2 goals.
- I'm out of of Twizzlers and we're not even half way through the 2nd period. My teeth are furry.
- Falk and Winnik throw down after refs decide not to call the hit by Falk that sent Winnik to the ice. Falk wins. Wild wins the extra man advantage. Way to go Winnik.
- The Wild actually chase the puck on the Dump-N-Chase! Too bad they're employing it on the power play - zero shots on goal, grrrr.
- Backstrom seeing the last two shots - there's hope! Especially after Zanon fails to keep the puck in the Ozone and coughs it up at the blue line for the Avs to make huge drive to our net.
- Brodziak appears to be back to his old form - really good to see. Rau with another great game in the making.
- Wanna see Kassian go - with ANYBODY!
- Wild applying major pressure in the Ozone, forcing icing calls on the Avs. Church of Yeo is in their heads ;) Brodiziak with 12:05 ice time and there's 3.30 minutes left in the 2nd.
- Love seeing Clutterbuck flying up ice and crossing the blue line with the puck. Seto right there with him for the pass and the shot on goal. Guys are not letting up on the gas.
- Stoner draws penalty late in 2nd but Avs stand tall. Wild will have 43 seconds to score to begin the 3rd period on the right foot.
Actual Funny Insurance Commercial - For The Ref In Our Crowd ;)
- Wild don't capitalize on remaining power play time to start out 3rd period - shocking, I know.
- Wild still applying major pressure in the Ozone and playing gritty in the corners. Nice clean hits getting under the Avs skin. Until McMillan high sticks and puts us on the penalty kill. Our guys playing UNBELIEVABLE defense on the kill - Schultz has been good tonight and Falk has been awesome! Backstrom not looking good at all - maybe 3 strong saves all night.
- McMillan comes out of the box, strips the Avs of the puck and takes it to Giggy all the way!! Wild up 3-2. His 2nd NHL goal for the Wild. Totally makes up for the high stick penalty.
- Buster has to go potty. He'll have to hold it. I'm not as fast as Vicki going up the stairs during a tv timeout.
- 9 minutes to go and the Wild have been in this game all the way. Zanon looking much beter tonight. Cullen and Seto determined to get shots on goal from any angle they can.
- Wild lead the NHL with blocked shots. As if on cue, first Falk and then Zanon block shots and the announcers are all like "see - right there."
- Backstrom making some saves late in the game. Thanks for finding your stride, dude.
- 4 minutes left and the stomach acid is churning. I'm flicking at the keys on my laptop. Vicki's pacing or she's got her left leg in a fast jig.
- Heatley single-handedly takes the puck from our own goal mouth to the other end while being aped by the Avs and eventually taken down in front of Giggy - no call by the refs.
- 1 minute to go and the Avs pull Giggy for the extra man. Backstrom finally is in his place of zen and peace, staying with the puck and stopping it by sitting on it.
- 35 seconds to go and Prosser gets high sticked to the max, drops his stick in pain, but stands by Backstrom to defend his territory. Good man, Nate!
- .03.3 seconds to go - and the Wild hold on for the win.
- Fuckin' All Star with Panger for the end of game interview. Priceless! Rich is a happy camper :)
Wild have the 8th and final playoff spot for now. That's our victory for the night and we're sticking to it!
Buster really has to go now so we're off for the goodnight potty run. Sweet dreams Wild Fans!
Go Heatley!!!!
ReplyDeleteLook at that, you spelled it right! ;)
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