“Love is in the air, Love is in the air everywhere I look around, love is in the air every sight and every sound, and I don’t know if I’m being foolish, I don’t know if I’m being wise, but its something that I must believe in, and its there when I look into your eyes,” is the memorable song from Tom Jones. Are you feeling the love out there right now? Its the Hallmark Holiday that is Valentine’s Day. The day where people have a chance to annoy their significant other if they don’t buy them a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers at the very least. My apologies to all the hopeless romantics out there, but Valentine’s Day also reminds those that are single that they single and in many cases that’s a reminder they were not hoping for. So if you wish to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a romantic evening, there is nothing stopping you. I personally cannot think of a better place to celebrate Valentine’s Day then to go to a bone-crushing hockey game. I am sure your date would love to cuddle up to you during a hockey fight. Hey, maybe you could even get on Kiss Cam?!?!
One team that is not feeling a lot of love lately is the Minnesota Wild. After the team’s most recent 3-1 loss to Columbus, the team was serenaded with boo’s from the home crowd. If the boo’s were not for their performance in the game, perhaps it was the fact the team has scored just 6 goals in its last 5 games, maybe the fact its on a 4-game losing streak or that it currently sits in 12th place in the Western Conference. Either way, the team has to be feeling the cold shoulder by the media and fans when they come to the rink each day. Call it what you want, a tipping point, a defining moment but lots of fans lost hope with the loss to Columbus on Saturday. Hearing players talk about how the team deserved better, etc, but to me it sounds like the excuses you hear in a relationship. If the Wild don’t want this positive relationship with the fans to completely end they better come out and defeat a red-hot Anaheim Ducks squad. So will the Wild get the cold shoulder after a loss or will they bring candy and flowers by giving the fans a victory for a change?
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1st Period Thoughts: The game started with a cautious tone, both clubs wanting to ease into things. The Ducks had the first chance as Corey Perry dangled around Marco Scandella where he ran out of space as Josh Harding aggressively challenged him. The next few minutes were rather inconsequential as both clubs tried to work the puck deep and get their forecheck going. Anaheim would give Minnesota an early boost as George Parros bumped into Harding and the Wild went on the power play. Minnesota’s power play took just 40 seconds to strike as Marek Zidlicky made a nice diagonal pass down from the point that was redirected perfectly by Dany Heatley by Jonas Hiller and the Wild were up 1-0. The goal got the crowd going, and just as important the Wild started moving its feet better as well. The Wild had another quality scoring chance a few minutes later as Matt Kassian intercepted a clearing attempt just inside the Ducks’ zone, and he dished it across ice to a crashing Darroll Powe who snapped off a quick shot that was steered aside by Hiller. Minnesota continued to be persistent and Kyle Brodziak fund himself set up for a quick chance near the left post but he was stymied by a fine save by the Ducks’ netminder who was finding himself surprisingly busy. With the Wild carrying the momentum it was no surprise when George Parros decided to challenge Matt Kassian. For Kassian it was an opportunity to show what he can do against a proven heavyweight. The two would circle one another at center ice, before they’d finally grapple and it was Kassian throwing left handed jabs first. After a few quick punches, Kassian tried to start throwing bombs that Parros avoided and then the Ducks enforcer started unloading big punches that were not really landing with great effect. Kassian clearly was in control, moving Parros around where he switched hands and started firing body punches and uppercuts and both pugilists started to get tired. I think it was a solid win for Kassian, as Parros told him “good job” at the conclusion of the scrap. The Ducks tried to go on the attack where Rod Pelley ripped a shot that was stopped by Harding and as Kyle Brodziak tried to sweep the puck out of the zone Pelley got his stick on it and the puck fluttered up into the air where it was gloved by Harding. Minnesota tried to answer back and Mikko Koivu did a nice job of stepping around Moorhead’s Jason Blake where he passed up on an open shooting opportunity and he was tripped up before he could get a shot off. Sheldon Brookbank would head to the penalty box giving Minnesota its 2nd power play of the game. Minnesota did not do much with the man-advantage, as the Wild looked disorganized as they were using their 2nd and 3rd line players on the power play. The best chance came on a point shot by Marco Scandella that was gloved by Hiller. The Wild came up empty on the power play, and the Ducks tried to counter attack and they came dangerously close after a nice little play by Matt Beleskey who tapped a pass back to Nick Bonino who threaded it across to Andrew Cogliano who fanned on a shot from the slot about 10 feet from the top of the Minnesota crease. A few minutes later, the Ducks had another nice opportunity as Saku Koivu set up Teemu Selanne for a quick shot that was stonewalled by Harding. The Ducks would pressure late in the period as the top line of Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Teemu Selanne pressed for a goal and Greg Zanon held up the Finnish Flash for a penalty. Anaheim would not score but have the majority of their power play to use in the 2nd period. Shots were even at 5-5, but I thought it was a good period for the Wild. Kris Foucault was getting lots of shifts, I counted 6 of them which is quite a bit for an unproven rookie.
2nd Period Thoughts: The Wild started on the penalty kill, but Minnesota’s penalty killers were solid initially making it difficult for the Ducks to get set up in the offensive zone. Minnesota looked to be destined to get the big early kill, but that was nearly ruined after a freak ricochet off a stanchion behind the goal that caromed right out into the slot and Beleskey would try to take advantage of the fact that Harding was completely out of position but his shot would be blocked wide by an alert Scandella. Minnesota would get the big early kill but Anaheim was still searching for the equalizer. The Wild tried to slow Anaheim down by being physical as Warren Peters crushed Niklas Hagman with a big check that also caught NHL linesman Michael Cvik as well. Minnesota would try to answer back with some pressure of their own as Jason Blake was tagged for a hooking call as the Wild’s top line started roving around as Nate Prosser set Devin Setoguchi for a wicked one timer that was directed aside by Hiller. On the power play the Wild moved the puck well, making the small little plays with the puck that maintain puck possession and Minnesota was able to create a number of quality shots on goal. Matt Cullen tee’d up a slapper from the point that was snagged out of the air by the Ducks Swiss-born goalie to keep his club down only by a single goal. Minnesota again came up short, but they sustained some offensive pressure that really put Anaheim on its heels. A few minutes later, Mikko Koivu stripped a Ducks’ defender of the puck and he set up Powe for a blast that was blocked away by Hiller. Anaheim would try to go back on the attack and a line of Selanne, Bobby Ryan, and Saku Koivu caused Minnesota some problems on the cycle, where the Wild were spending lots of time chasing the Ducks around their zone. The Ducks were starting to tilt the ice in their favor as Selanne threaded a pass through the top of the crease that Saku Koivu wasn’t able to capitalize on. Carson McMillan would get his stick up into the grill of Nick Bonino that cut his lip and gave the Ducks a big juicy 4:00 power play. Early on the Ducks man advantage, Ryan Getzlaf would lose an edge at center ice as he tried to turn and he collided with Kyle Brodziak who was skating with the puck that drew boo’s (for no call) from the home crowd. The Ducks’ power play waas very patient, waiting for the precise moment to set up a big shot. Anaheim thought that opportunity was about to come into fruition as Perry dangled around Brodziak and then tried to rifle a shot that was blocked expertly by Greg Zanon and the Wild were able to clear the zone. The Ducks tried one last time to get the equalizer, and a heavy wrist shot by Getzlaf beat Harding but it struck the crossbar and out. Anaheim had less than a minute of their 4-minute power play left as time expired and the Wild had to feel good about still holding their 1-0 lead. An ok period, but the Wild need to start burying their chances to give themselves some margin of error.
3rd Period Thoughts: Like the 2nd period, the Wild started on the penalty kill and Minnesota was showing some urgency with less than a minute left on the Ducks power play. A flip pass that was caught in the air by a jumping Cam Fowler, was pushed out (in mid air) by Powe. Minnesota would go on the attack as Mikk Koivu skated around a Ducks defender where he made a nice little pass to Dany Heatley who joined him in the 2-on-1 and Heatley tried to dangle around Hiller who managed to poke check it away before he was able to complete the move. Minnesota continued to swarm and Mikko Koivu found himself set up for a snap shot that was fought off by Hiller and the crowd cheered in appreciation of the Wild’s aggressiveness. The Wild would continue to apply pressure as the 3rd line set up Marco Scandella for a slapper that Hiller steered wide. The Ducks would start to attack as Minnesota was a little sloppy defensively as Perry and Hagman found themselves stymied on a few point-blank range chances by Harding. Moments after that it was Nick Johnson blocking a shot by Nick Bonino that seemed to be destined for the back of the net. With frantic, desperate action at both ends of the ice the Ducks would tie the game after Mikko Koivu mishandled the puck in his own zone that turned into a chance for Hagman who chipped backhander over the leg pad of Harding and then Hagman whiffed the puck over the goal line, 1-1. Anaheim would try to pressure for the go-ahead goal as they carried the puck to the crease where Beleskey tried to poke it by Harding and Minnesota clearly was reeling a bit. A few minutes later, the Ducks nearly had a costly mishandle of the puck themselves as Fowler coughed up the puck in the face of good pressure by Matt Cullen who tried to motor around him but his centering pass found empty ice. Minnesota’s top line had a great shift just moments after that play by Cullen and after some hard work down low along the wall Setoguchi had a few sharp angle chances that failed to beat the Ducks’ goalie as the Koivu brothers battled against one another. Anaheim would counter attack with its own top line and Perry would drive by Scandella and he’d fire a shot under Harding’s left shoulder to make it 2-1 Ducks. With an anxious feeling coming over the home crowd, the Wild tried to rally back for the game-tying goal as the 2nd line of Cullen, Johnson and Brodziak worked the puck along the wall but the Ducks defense was strong in front of their goalie by tying up sticks effectively. After Luca Sbisa (who had been playing very strong and physically all night thus far) hauled down Erik Christensen to no call that drew a lot of boo’s and just a moment later it was Nate Prosser who was tagged with a tripping call that would make Minnesota have to wait at least another 2 minutes (time it doesn’t really have to waste) before it goes all out for the equalizer. The Ducks were calm and relaxed on the power play, just trying to avoid making any major mistake as Minnesota’s penalty killers was denying time and space. Anaheim’s Cam Fowler would attempt to dump the puck into the corner but he pegged NHL referee Dennis LaRue instead who fell to the ice in a little pain as the crowd roared at his fate. The Wild got the big kill and Minnesota went back on the attack, and Minnesota got close as Marek Zidlicky hammered a slapper that drew a nice rebound from Hiller but no one was in position to pounce on the loose biscuit. Minnesota was in desperation mode as Wild Head Coach Mike Yeo would call a timeout to talk things over and most likely pull Harding for an extra attacker. It did not start well for Minnesota who lost the draw and then sweated out a shot attempt by Saku Koivu that was blocked by Zidlicky. The Wild simply didn’t have the jump to track down the initial dump in, and the Ducks had another close opportunity to salt it away with an empty netter that was again blocked by Zidlicky. Minnesota would have one frantic flurry late, as Kyle Brodziak fired a wrist shot where it deflected off a few skates and as the Wild frantically tried to put it on goal through a mess of bodies in and around the crease but to no avail and the Ducks carried away a 2-1 victory.
I don’t think you can blame Josh Harding, who was very good; making a number of quality saves with lots of traffic near his crease. Harding had 23 saves in the loss. To use a popular quote around hte Wild locker room, I thought Harding deserved a better fate. Defensively I thought the Wild’s best defenseman was Marek Zidlicky believe it or not. Zidlicky was surprisingly good at both ends of the ice. I also thought Nate Prosser was fairly good as well. Unfortunately it wasn’t good enough.
Offensively, the Minneapolis Star Tribune‘s Wild beat writer Michael Russo said it perfectly when he called the team one-goal wonders. The Wild got a goal from Dany Heatley, but there were far too few shots on goal. 15?? Its tough to get it done when you don’t shoot the puck. Minnesota had its chances, but they couldn’t capitalize and were stuck trying to play for a shutout to win and that’s too much to expect night after night. Mikko Koivu’s mishandle turned the game around, but the outcome is not his fault but he needs to be more greedy and shoot the puck. Koivu has a decent shot when he uses it, and the more he shoots the more space he’ll be able to create for Heatley who is the only real ‘reliable’ sniper on the team. Where are the shots from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines? They need to be shooting and chipping in some goals to give the 1st line a bit of a reprieve. As for Kris Foucault, he looked like a deer in headlights out there, and I am glad the team decided to give him a shot but he clearly was out of place out there.
It feels like I repeat myself each game. Where the team just doesn’t have enough firepower to get it done. The team made moves to specifically try to address the goal scoring issue, but obviously it hasn’t worked with the team possessing one of the league’s most anemic offenses, add to the fact that when the team needs scoring the most it just isn’t happening. They had some great moments on the power play (even a few where they didn’t score) but there is no hiding from 15 shots on goal. It’s not acceptable and it won’t be any easier as they will be facing an equally desperate team on Thursday when the Jets fly into town. Making matters worse, they can expect a somewhat hostile Xcel Energy Center crowd as Jets fans will want to make a loud and rowdy debut to St. Paul, you can be sure of that.
Wild Notes:
~ The roster tonight was as follows: Mikko Koivu, Dany Heatley, Devin Setoguchi, Matt Cullen, Kyle Brodziak, Nick Johnson, Darroll Powe, Erik Christensen, Kris Foucault, Matt Kassian, Warren Peters, Carson McMillan, Nick Schultz, Greg Zanon, Marek Zidlicky, Jared Spurgeon, Marco Scandella and Nate Prosser. Niklas Backstrom backed up Josh Harding. Cal Clutterbuck, Mike Lundin and Justin Falk were the healthy scratches.
~ The 3 Stars of the Game as selected by the fans were: 1st Star Corey Perry, 2nd Star Josh Harding, 3rd Star Dany Heatley
~ Attendance was 17,552 at Xcel Energy Center.
~ Kris Foucault wore #72 for the Wild in his NHL debut.
Wild Prospect Report:
Saint John Sea Dogs’ Charlie Coyle (right)
C – Zach Phillips (Saint John, QMJHL) ~ Its a shame the Sea Dogs winning ways don’t rub off on the Minnesota Wild, as Saint John seems primed to repeat as QMJHL and possibly Memorial Cup Champions. Zach Phillips keeps lighting up the score sheet, adding a goal and an assist along with going 6-for-9 on his draws (66%) in the Sea Dogs 7-2 thrashing of Acadie-Bathurst.
C / RW – Charlie Coyle (Saint John, QMJHL) ~ Acquiring Coyle as a free agent was better than making a big trade since the Sea Dogs did not have to part ways with any other assets, and he may just be the extra boost Saint John needs for a repeat. Coyle is delivering offensively, scoring a goal and chipping in two helpers in the Sea Dogs’ 7-2 win. The former Boston University star also brings versatility, as he can play center and so far has had great chemistry with Jonathan Huberdeau; Coyle went 8-of-16 (50%) on his draws.
LW – Erik Haula (Minnesota, WCHA) ~ It was a tough weekend for the Golden Gophers as they found themselves swept by the Denver Pioneers. Haula had a rough night on Friday, as he piled up 4 penalty minutes on lazy plays in the offensive zone. The Pori, Finland-native tried to make amends on Saturday, by firing home a goal in what was a 4-3 losing effort in overtime.
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