Game #64: Minnesota Wild vs Calgary Flames, Sunday March 7, 2010 at 2:00pm (CST), Xcel Energy Center [GAME PREVIEW]

Happy 400th consecutive sell-outs Wild fans!

Or is it?  While reading the Minneapolis Star Tribune this morning, I caught an interesting tidbit regarding that milestone.  When looking at the past sellout streaks of Colorado and Detroit, 487 and 452 respectively, those are regular season sell-outs only.  What people haven’t been telling us about the Wild’s sell-out streak, is that it includes every home pre-season game the team has ever played.  Take those pre-season games, and the Wild are really only at the 372 marker.  If we’re going to compare ourselves against those two particular teams, we best save the “400-game streak” celebration for next season.  Don’t get me wrong, it is impressive to sell-out pre-season games, games that in reality don’t count.  However, when we get close to Detroit’s record, we best be honest and throw out the games that don’t count when it comes to the standings.  I suppose the team decided to celebrate now, because with the economy as it is and the Wild’s struggles on the ice, who knows if we’ll really make it to 400-games.

If you haven’t heard, Derek Boogaard was suspended for two games, for his knee-on-knee incident in Edmonton on the Oiler’s (and Wild former draft pick) Ryan Jones.  He will be out of today’s game against Calgary and Tuesday’s tilt with the Florida Panthers.  According to the Wild’s bruiser, he wasn’t out to injure Jones, but simply to finish his hit.  Unfortunately for Boogaard, his lack of speed essentially put the knees into contact.  Jones has stated that he doesn’t believe that the knee was intentional.  Jones also reported that he and Boogaard know each other from summer road biking, however they’re more acquaintances than friends.

Let’s face it, playing Calgary is usually not a good thing.  However, it is possible that things are changing.  The past two trips to the Saddledome have come out as wins for the Wild, which is a rare thing indeed.  Also working in the Wild’s favor, is that the version of the Calgary Flames that the Wild are currently facing is not the same version that Wild players and fans had come to fear.  Gone is Dion Phaneuf.  While he hasn’t scored like he has in past seasons, his physical presence often didn’t bode well for the Wild.  Also, in the past ten meetings against the Wild, Minnesota has kept traditional Wild-killer Jarome Iginla out of the goal column in the box score.  Eventually that trend is going to end, I fear that today could be one of those days.  Plus, in the back of the minds of every fan, you have to remember that abysmal game about two years ago, when the Wild got up 3-0 in the first period, and then completely fell apart.  I’ll admit, I had that sickening feeling in my gut when the Wild got up 3-0 on the Flames on Wednesday night.  Thankfully, that bad memory didn’t become reality.

However, the lackluster play in Edmonton Friday night, has me worried.  There was absolutely no reason for that poor showing.  The players know it and have said it.  Yet, if they know it, why did they allow it to continue?  They could have done something to change things around.  Most people would agree that we are responsible for our own actions, and ultimately, our own destinies.  If we want change, we have to make the changes to get whatever is in front of us done.  The Oilers didn’t play such a fantastic game that it was impossible to beat them.  The Wild simply beat themselves, and for the most part, that is inexcusable.

If you’re heading to Xcel Energy Center this afternoon, enjoy the 400-streak festivities.  However, just remember that it’s really only number 372.