Game #19: Minnesota Wild vs New York Rangers, Saturday November 20, 2010 at 7:00pm CST, Xcel Energy Center [GAME PREVIEW]

Perhaps my not talking about the Detroit Red Wings yesterday was the key to not only beating them, but beating them in their own building.  I have to admit, I was extremely worried that the game was going to go to a shootout.  Let’s face it, the Wild don’t have the speed or the quality of shooters in order to beat most teams, but especially the Red Wings in that part of the game.  If I had to give the ultimate gold star to a player in last night’s game, it would have to be Marek Zidlicky.  Right before John Madden’s overtime winner, Zidlicky kept the puck moving, protecting it, and giving his teammates time to get in place.  I’ll admit I was worried about how long Zidlicky was going to be able to protect that puck, but it appears he dug down deep in order to do what he needed to do.  Whatever he did, it worked, and I’d like to see him continue doing just that.

One of the great things about hockey, is that after all is said and done, for the most part the players do like and respect each other.  It may not always appear that way on the ice, but the players do care about the well-being of other players, even if they’re on the opposing team.  Brent Burns knew right away that he was in the wrong when he injured Steve Bernier.  He started the minute he got back to the locker room trying to get in touch with Bernier to apologize.  Of course, an apology doesn’t make up for a broken orbital bone that required surgery, but it does show the underlying respect the players do have for each other.  Being that I’m not a fan of any other sport, I honestly don’t know if that level of respect exists in the other sports, it just seems to exist in hockey.

This discussion of respect has a reason.  Tonight, two former Wild players make their returns in the opponent’s jersey.  Tonight, fans will witness the returns of Marian Gaborik and Derek Boogaard.  We all know that Gaborik left under some bitter conditions.  The saga of contract negotiations with the Wild’s first ever draft pick were frustrating to say the least.  Sometimes I have to wonder if those negotiations would have not been so contentious had the Wild not gone to the Western Conference Finals in 2003.  However, that’s all in the past and there’s nothing that can be said or done now.  It’s human nature to hold a grudge.  I’d like to see the fans to get over themselves and at try to be respectful toward Gaborik.  I know that’s wishful thinking.  However, if they simply remember that he’s continued to have injury issues while in New York, it might make them feel better.  Do you really wish we still had an extremely injury-prone player on the roster?  We still have enough injury problems that we don’t need another.

When it comes to Derek Boogaard, I would like to say he clearly still has the respect of his former teammates.  Earlier this month, the former Wild enforcer ended his lengthy goal-less streak against the usually high scoring Washington Capitals.  I happened to just be watching the game right before he scored.  What was funny about that goal is that not one member of the Capitals even tried to catch up to Boogaard.  At the very least someone should have been able to skate with him and poke check the puck away.  I’m not surprised he scored this early in the season.  Last season, he should have scored as he did appear to be working on his offensive game.  With that goal, came many text messages from around the league, some of them from former teammates.  In his phone conversation, Boogaard warned Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom to be ready for the heat he brings.  Clearly Backstrom and the rest of Boogaard’s former teammate are proud of the success he has found on Manhattan.

So yes, to the fans that are inside Xcel Energy Center tonight, I’d like to remind you that regardless of what has happened in the past, none of that truly personally effected you.  It’s not like either of them came to your house and tee-peed your home before they left for New York.  They never dissed your mother.  They never took your birthday away.  Remember their appearance tonight, is part of our Year Ten celebrations.  Be proud of where we’ve been over those ten years.  Both Gaborik and Boogaard were part of the high’s and low’s with this team.  Let tonight be a “high” with your actions, not a “low.”

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