Sports can’t seem to get enough drama these days, and few teams embody this penchant for staging its own sort of soap opera as the Minnesota Vikings. From the never ending saga that is Brett Favre who can turn every interview into one with mixed messages and intrigue that gets all the pundits at the NFL Network or ESPN to prognosticate what he is really trying to say, to the hard edged tension filled web that Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress seems to have following around him after each game whether its dealing with his aforementioned quarterback or his latest decision to dump wide reciever Randy Moss. Moss, never one to avoid controversy has managed to bring the microscope of criticism a little closer after making comments about his ability to coach the team. The tight-lipped coach who seems to like the guy at work who never seems all that happy and makes you wonder if he’s just going to go postal one of these days. There is probably good reason for his anxiety as he has taken a team that came within one game of the Super Bowl last season to being 2-5, with your star quarterback looking like a mini-M*A*S*H ward and playoff hopes appearing to be fleeting at best there is no doubt Vikings ownership is not too happy about how the 2010-11 season has unfolded thus far. Then you have ESPN insiders like Chris Mortensen discussing rumors of discontent in the Vikings locker room where they question his ability to coach an NFL team and you have one fierce pressure cooker at Winter Park. I don’t envy Childress at all right now. He is still a very well paid person, coaching a professional football team but the stress has to be getting pretty extreme and its only a matter of time before something has to give. Whether its a Mike Ditka-like meltdown on the sideline or Childress simply crouching down into a fetal position and crying uncontrollably we will see what happens as they face the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday.
However this is not the only coach in professional sports to be on the proverbial hot seat. Toss into this a general manager that just happens to be your brother and you’ve described the situation in Calgary rather well. For Flames GM Darryl Sutter and his brother Brent Sutter they are really starting to feel the heat from the fanbase and media in Southern Alberta. The Flames came within one controversial call of winning its 2nd Stanley Cup back in 2003-04 and since the lockout Calgary has been a high priced disappointment. After casting off fan favorite Dion Phaneuf to Toronto late last season for a slew of support players the Flames hoped to regroup by having more depth. The fans were not convinced, and Darryl Sutter did not help his cause by adding ineffective forwards Olli Jokinen and Alex Tanguay in free agent deals that had many NHL fans and experts scratching their heads wondering why you would give these guys another chance after they were so disappointing the first time around. So far it has been mixed results as Jokinen has been very ordinary while Tanguay may be salvaging his career. Yet the up and down performances of the team so far this season has not made the Sutter brothers the toast of the town; but rather still the subjects to roast. Much the same could be said in Minnesota although the tensions revolving around Wild Head Coach Todd Richards have toned down a bit after the team started playing more responsible defensively and it certainly hasn’t hurt to have played most of their games at home, a place where the team normally performs rather well. A bad losing streak could easily turn the heat back up on Richards, so its important for Minnesota to make the most of its last game at home before it goes on a 4-game road trip. So which coach will be feeling the heat tonight besides Buffalo’s Lindy Ruff?
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The Wild would challenge offensively right away on a nice play made along the boards by Marek Zidlicky to chip the puck to Matt Cullen who raced into the Flames zone where he decided to take his chances as he wound up and blasted a shot that was stopped by Miikka Kiprusoff and then Cullen lifted his rebound chance up and over the net. The Flames tried to answer back quickly as Alex Tanguay set up Jarome Iginla who attempted a backhander that was blocked aside by Backstrom. Both teams were trading chances early and the Wild’s top line of Mikko Koivu, Andrew Brunette and Cal Clutterbuck sustained some pressure with good hustle and strong play along the boards. Brunette would gather up the puck down low behind the net as he was shadowed by Jay Bouwmeester but he was able to bring the puck out in front of the goal where he fired a shot that would skitter through the crease and was just out of reach of Clutterbuck. Calgary would try to emulate the Wild and former Medicine Hat Tiger Stefan Meyer who set up Cory Sarich for a shot from the point and his slapper was steered aside by Backstrom. Minnesota was also playing well defensively and when it appeared Rene Bourque might find some space to operate the puck was swept off his stick by a nice diving play by Greg Zanon which was incredible as he had fallen in the neutral zone which is what gave Bourque his open space in the first place so it was outstanding effort that allowed him to make the play. The Wild were moving well and the scoring chances were being created because of their hustle as Casey Wellman had a nice opportunity that was denied on a leg pad save by Kiprusoff. A few minutes later tempers would flare and Brad Staubitz would take a late check that leveled former Minnesota State product Tim Jackman and the two would drop the gloves. Right from the start Staubitz was throwing big right hands and Jackman would answer back with some haymakers that were only landing with air as Staubitz managed to stay out of reach and eventually the Wild pugilist would move in and bring the Calgary tough guy to his knees with a few well placed punches. Staubitz would earn the charging penalty (and rightfully so) and Minnesota would be on the penalty kill for the first time. The Flames set up a big point shot for Giordano that missed just wide. After that opportunity the Wild did a good job of keeping Calgary to the perimeter but after a few quick passes they were able to set up Rene Bourque for a one-timer and he blistered a slap shot that beat a well-screened Backstrom to put the Flames up 1-0. The Wild tried to answer back with its 2nd line of Cullen, Martin Havlat and Kyle Brodziak and it was Brodziak winding up and unloading a slap shot that was kicked aside by Kiprusoff. The Wild’s aggressive play nearly haunted them as the Flames came back in a 2-on-1 between Iginla and Jokinen but a bad pass by Iginla ruined the opportunity. A minute or two later the Wild had its best scoring chance of the period up to this point when Martin Havlat found Matt Cullen with a nice pass and he found himself all alone behind the Flames defense but as he moved in he tried to deke but Kiprusoff wasn’t buying and he shut him down completely. The Wild were undaunted and the puck would be dumped in deep by Justin Falk where Andrew Brunette used his sizeable back end to hold off a defender where he turned a passed the puck from behind the Flames goal to a waiting Clutterbuck who hammered a one timer that beat Kiprusoff to tie the game at 1-1. The Flames tried to re-take the lead right away and a long shot by Niklas Hagman moved its way through a forest of legs to be absorbed by Backstrom. Calgary continued to apply pressure and Tim Jackman found himself alone near the front of the net where he was just unable to cradle it to get a shot off, and moments after that missed opportunity Corey Sarich would take a blind sided run at Matt Kassian that sent him to the ice and the young enforcer in training immediately stood up and challenged Sarich who wanted nothing to do with it. Sadly enough, it was Kassian who would get a high sticking penalty for his stick hitting Cory Sarich in the head as he got lit up placing the Wild on the penalty kill for the second time in the game. Minnesota’s penalty killers were using great active sticks and they were able to steal the puck and even put a little offensive pressure while being a man down. As the penalty was winding down the Flames moved the puck down low and Matt Stajan nearly set up Iginla for a goal as he passed it out into the slot and Iginla was able to get a quick shot off and it was held onto by Backstrom. The Wild would avoid another late surge by Calgary to get the go-head goal and would skate into the 1st intermission tied at one goal apiece.
Calgary youngster Mikael Backlund would win the opening draw to start the 2nd period and the Wild would be on its heels early as David Moss nearly was the beneficiary of a wide point shot that caromed out near the top of the Wild crease who was unable to pull the trigger against a sprawling Backstrom. Minnesota tried to answer back with some offensive pressure from its 2nd line as Martin Havlat was looking a little more determined than normal and he tried to set up Brent Burns who was pinching in down low but his centering pass would be deflected out of the Wild zone. Calgary would try to counter punch against the aggressiveness of the Wild and Alex Tanguay would lead a 3-on-2 as he dropped a pass back to Iginla who fired a wrister that was knocked down by Backstrom and Matt Stajan pushed the rebound opportunity wide of the goal. The Wild tried to send out its 4th line of Casey Wellman, Brad Staubitz and Matt Kassian who threw their big bodies around but were unable to create any offense off their forechecking pressure. Minnesota was getting closer to lighting the lamp on its scoring chances as some great hustle by Kyle Brodziak turned into a set up of Havlat who fired a quick snap shot on goal that was stopped by Kiprusoff and Cullen just wasn’t able to get his stick on the rebound as the Flames goaltender was out of position. A few moments later the Wild’s top line created some sustained pressure as Cal Clutterbuck’s hustle was helping Minnesota stay in the offensive zone and he would help draw a penalty as he turned a slid a shot on goal that Kiprusoff stopped but Andrew Brunette was held up before he could cash in giving Minnesota its 1st power play of the game. The Wild’s power play sort of emulated the team’s play up to this point, scrappy but not all that organized at times and Minnesota would only have one real quality chance as Mikko Koivu’s bid from the slot was steered wide by Kiprusoff. The Wild would come up empty on the man advantage, and the Flames would go on the attack as Alex Tanguay would take a shot that found the right post and Calgary would continue to swarm around the Minnesota zone before Zanon was able to carry the puck out of the offensive zone. The pace of the game would slow down a bit, but the hard work was continuing as both teams were cautious to give up a quality scoring chance. The Wild would have a terrific one on a nice play by Casey Wellman used his speed to drive wide where he slid the puck into the slot where Andrew Brunette was there to fire a shot that struck Kiprusoff in the shoulder. A few minutes later the Wild’s hustle in the Flames end would result in a ill-advised goaltender interference penalty as Brad Staubitz lost where he was on the ice as he ran into Kiprusoff for the obvious call. With the Flames on their 3rd power play of the game, the Wild’s penalty killers was pressuring well but too many times Minnesota struggled to clear the zone when the opportunity presented themselves. The Flames quick puck movement was causing the Wild penalty killer some issues but Minnesota was making up for some of its scrambling with good active sticks and they would get the big kill. A few minutes later the Wild would draw a slashing penalty on Mark Giordano and Minnesota would go on the power play for the 2nd time. The Wild power play would struggle to get set up into the Calgary zone, allowing the Flames to nearly kill half of the power play before they finally would they enter the zone with any sort of numbers as Wellman fired an opportunity high. The Xcel Energy Center crowd was voicing its frustration with a few boo’s by the futile nature of Minnesota’s man-advantage that appeared very disorganized. The Wild would have one last scoring chance in the period as Martin Havlat dished the puck to a charging Eric Nystrom who slid a weak backhander that just was out of the reach of Kyle Brodziak who was waiting near the opposite post and the game would remain knotted at 1-1 going into the 3rd.
The 3rd period would start off with a good pace as both teams hoped to tilt the game in their favor. The Wild had a real nice scoring chance early as Matt Cullen redirected a Martin Havlat shot that missed just wide of the Flames’ net. The Wild would throw out its physical 4th line as they tried punishing the Flames with some big hits as Matt Kassian was running just about every skater he could. The Flames was using its energy line to create some havoc as David Moss made a nice play to pickpocket the puck from Nystrom and then move in for a quick shot that was stonewalled by Backstrom. Minnesota would answer right back as the 2nd line would light the lamp, as Matt Cullen found Martin Havlat with a cross-ice pass and he fired a wrister which snuck underneath the arm and trickled through to give the Wild its first lead of the game 2-1. The Flames would try to counter the Wild and came very close with some quality chances for Jarome Iginla, including one off a Mark Giordano point shot that Iginla deflected and Backstrom would snow angel to cover it up for a whistle. Moments after this big save the Wild’s Kyle Brodziak would take a hooking penalty. Minnesota’s penatly killers was more passive, giving the Flames free reign along the perimeter. Calgary was moving the puck quickly and out to the points were they set up a Giordano blast that was redirected wide by Rene Bourque, and moments later the Flames set up Iginla in the slot as he stepped into a quick shot that was stopped by Backstrom and Cullen was able to get the big clear of the puck. Minnesota’s hustle would kill off the power play and the Wild went on the attack and was perhaps a little too fancy as Matt Cullen attempted a pretty little pass between the legs that was stopped by Steve Staios and it never made it over to Havlat who was zooming in from the opposite side. The Flames were really chirping at the officials for obstruction calls they felt the Wild were committing. Calgary was trying to enter the Wild zone with speed and Brent Burns did a nice job to deny a small pass from Matt Stajan to Jarome Iginla and then win a small battle along the boards to make sure it didn’t matter before flinging the puck off the boards and on goal to avoid the icing infraction. Minnesota was content to flip the puck into the Calgary zone and force the Flames to bring the puck up the full length of the ice. Even when the Flames did enter the Wild zone they were forced to settle for long range chances that were easy for Backstrom to just block aside. Cal Clutterbuck would get the fans back into the game when the bowled over Cory Sarich with a big, clean open-ice hit. Minnesota continued to hustle and attempt to deny time and space from the Flames who were pressing for the equalizer. You could sense the anxiety in the crowd with each Calgary shot towards the goal but Minnesota was getting into the shooting lanes and blocking opportnities before they would reach Backstrom. Former Florida Panthers defenseman Jay Bouwmeester flung a wrister on goal that gave Backstrom a little trouble as David Moss moved near the crease hoping to poke through a loose puck. The Flames continued to attack and Ian White wound up and fired a slapper that was stopped by Backstrom who got a piece of it and the puck would trickle through the crease before it was spirited away by Burns. Moments later as the Flames regrouped Brent Burns would push Alex Tanguay into Backstrom for a controversial goaltender interference call. With the Flames pulling Kiprusoff for an extra attacker to make it 5-on-5 the Wild were content to just play defense as Calgary just ran out of gas and Minnesota prevailed 2-1.
Niklas Backstrom had 33 saves in the victory as he continues to play some of his best hockey. He continues to provide rock solid play between the pipes and he was just seeing the puck so well almost all night long. Defensively the Wild gave Backstrom good support clearing away rebounds as well as blocking a ton of shots as well to help their goaltender down the stretch. The real key to the Wild’s success was the great hustle it had all night long; especially on the penalty kill and Minnesota has a lot to feel proud about. Greg Zanon and Nick Schultz were outstanding and one area of consistency for the Wild blueline was when they’d mishandle the puck they wouldn’t panic and instead of trying to make an amazing play they made a safe play and moved it to an area where it wouldn’t hurt the team. The only defenseman who I thought played too passively was Cam Barker who appeared indecisive throughout most of the game.
Offensively the Wild seemed to get what it needed out its mixed and mashed up lines, whether it was simply good forechecking or physical play. Minnesota got good production, shot-wise from its top 2 lines for perhaps the first time all season. Martin Havlat played with far more focus and determination to his game the result is the Wild have another true scoring threat which is really what it needs when you consider all of the injuries it has sustained. Matt Cullen’s speed and creativity continues to pay dividends for Minnesota, and I have to say Cal Clutterbuck’s addition to the 1st line was tremendous. Clutterbuck not only added speed to a line that sorely needed it, but also more grit that opened up space for Koivu and Brunette to operate, and his goal tonight also demonstrates the fact he does have some finishing ability as well. One area offensively that was not good was the power play which looked dysfunctional and disorganized all night long. They never really were able to get established in the zone nor were they able to create much offensive pressure at all. In fact, the Flames often were able to create more scoring chances than the Wild.
Minnesota do not have long to relish the victory as they board a late-night flight to head east to play the Columbus Blue Jackets tomorrow night. The Wild were just awful in their first game against the Blue Jackets, which was the season opener and Columbus has been playing better as of late. Columbus has normally enjoyed a fair amount of success against the Wild at home and Minnesota better be ready to put forth another hard working effort because they certainly will be looking to notch another win against their expansion cousin.
Wild Notes:
~ Wild roster tonight is as follows: Mikko Koivu, Andrew Brunette, Cal Clutterbuck, Matt Cullen, Martin Havlat, Casey Wellman, Kyle Brodziak, John Madden, Eric Nystrom, Matt Kassian, Cody Almond, Brad Staubitz, Justin Falk, Nick Schultz, Cam Barker, Marek Zidlicky, Greg Zanon and Brent Burns. Jose Theodore backed up Niklas Backstrom. Clayton Stoner was the lone healthy scratch while Guillaume Latendresse and Chuck Kobasew were out with groin injuries while Antti Miettinen and Pierre-Marc Bouchard are still trying to recover from concussion symptoms.
~ Matt Kassian wore #28 in his NHL debut with the Wild joining players like Jeremy Stevenson and Jason Wiemer to have donned the #28 for the State of Hockey.
~ The 3 Stars of the Game as selected by Let’s Play Hockey were: 1st Star Niklas Backstrom, 2nd Star Cal Clutterbuck, 3rd Star Martin Havlat
~ Tonight’s attendance was 17,124, which means the Wild have still just one sellout in the 2010-11 season which was the season opener.
~ The Wild’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Houston Aeros earned a 3-2 shootout victory over the Toronto Marlies. The Aeros got off to a 2-0 lead on goals from Joel Broda and Maxim Noreau. The Marlies would answer back, including the game-tying goal with just over five minutes left in regulation. In the shootout the Aeros would 3 out of 4 as Jarod Palmer, Jon DiSalvatore and Colton Gillies beat the Marlies’ Jussi Rynas while Anton Khudobin stopped 3 of 4 to earn the victory.
~ Earning the the “You said What?” award for the night was Fox Sports Net North‘s and former Golden Gopher player and Head Coach Doug Woog when he responded to a text question asking how early do college teams scout players nowdays, saying college scouts are watching players as young as 9 years old! Yikes! I better tell my cousins playing in Sartell they better do something to impress the scouts. He also stated he thought scouting players that young was ridiculous but that is the nature of the beast since college teams feel they have to identify and make relationships with these players before junior teams from Canada do.
Wild Prospect Report:
D – Colton Jobke ~ Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
2010-11 Stats: 15GP 1G 3A = 4pts 30 PIM’s -3
The Wild took a flyer on the Delta, British Columbia-native after his strong and physical performance at the team’s prospect camp this summer. His ability to skate and play a steady game really impressed the team’s brass and so they offered the undrafted blueliner a contract. Jobke is not physically imposing at just 6’0″, 170lbs, but his hard-edged game is something the Wild’s defensive pool does not really have. The Kelowna Rockets are off to a rough season; especially by their lofty standards where they normally are among the WHL’s better programs mainly due to underperforming forwards Geordie Wudrick and another Wild prospect, Brett Bulmer. A stay at home defenseman with reasonable mobility, he will never be a big scorer but makes a good first pass out of the zone. So far he is off to a reasonable start for the Rockets and if Kelowna’s forwards ever play to their potential it will be interesting to see how that affects Jobke’s +/- rating.
WCHA Men’s Hockey Report:
Minnesota State (2-2-4) at Nebraska-Omaha (5-1-0) – The Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks are making a huge statement with rock solid play that is catching many traditional WCHA opponents by surprise and tonight was no different as they rolled to a 5-1 victory. Johnnie Searfoss had a huge night tallying 2 goals and an assist as Dean Blais‘ squad continues to show both speed and firepower. Nebraska-Omaha’s John Faulkner had 26 saves in the win.
Wisconsin (5-2-1) at Minnesota (5-3-0) – It was a very onesided game 1 as the Badgers embarassed the Gophers in a 6-0 rout. Michael Mersch tallied twice, and Minnesota was unable to put much offensive pressure on the Badgers all game long and Erik Gudmanson made just 16 saves in the shutout.
Colorado College (3-4-1) at Denver (3-3-2) – This has been a fun developing story for Wild fans as prospect Jason Zucker continues his incredible freshman season, scoring his 6th goal of the season (on an empty netter as well as an assist) for the Pioneers as they cruise to a 4-1 victory over its in-state rival. After a scoreless 1st period the Pioneers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 2nd on the strength of two power play goals from senior Anthony Miani and John Lee. Denver’s Sam Brittain had 33 saves in the victory.
Bemidji State (0-3-1) at St. Cloud State (3-4-1) – It was a crazy night at the National Sports Center in St. Cloud as the Huskies overwhelmed Bemidji State 6-3 in game 1. The Beavers jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a goal by Wild prospect camp tryout Matt Read‘s goal, but then it was the Ben Hanowski show as he scored 3 goals as he earned a hat trick on the empty netter to seal the victory. Mike Lee had 23 saves in the victory for the Huskies to keep the Bemidji State winless thus far.
University of Minnesota-Duluth (6-0-2) at North Dakota (4-3-1) – In perhaps one of the biggest WCHA showdowns of early this season the Fighting Sioux were able to contain the high powered UMD offense to earn a 4-2 victory in game 1. Offensive workhorses for the Bulldogs, in Travis Oleksuk and Wild prospect camp tryout Justin Fontaine had the goals but it wasn’t enough. Matt Frattin scored his 8th goal of this season and that would be the game winner. Aaron Dell had just 14 saves in the victory for North Dakota.
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