Maybe the Minnesota Wild should be televising in HD every night. Or was it just that good to see the Wild team those of us 'in the know' knew was in them?
After a disasterous start to the week, the Wild overcame a somewhat slow start to shutout the St. Louis Blues 4-0 Wednesday night at Xcel Energy Center, their 15th win overall and 3rd in their last 4 games.
Seven different players (5 forwards and 2 defensemen) were involved in the scoring, as the Wild held the Blues to 22 shots on Niklas Backstrom, who recorded his 14th win of the campaign in 22 appearances.
Two Wild players recorded career milestone goals: Eric Belanger flipped his 100th goal in as a backhander over Blues backup goalie Chris Mason to open the game's scoring, then Andrew Brunette chalked up his 200th goal in a scramble in front of Mason early in the third. After Marek Zidlicky blistered a shot from the point past Mason during a Wild power play, Antti 'Mittens' Miettinen was awarded a goal in the final minute of the contest, when he was pulled down from behind heading for an empty St. Louis goal after Blues coach Andy Murray pulled Mason with just under 3 minutes remaining in the final period.
Let's see what the multitude thinks:
Chicken Little: Can we keep this up? Why doesn't PMB shoot more? Put Burns back on defense!
Pollyanna: This is the Wild team effort we've been waiting for! Keep it up on Friday vs. Vancouver, and the Wild lead the division again!
Bottom Line: After Monday night's disaster vs. Colorado, this is as about a 180 as you can possibly do. Jacques has always said 'defense first'. Tonight, the boys proved it. Good job by all!
Stud: Tough to pick here, so many good ones, but for argument's sake let's go with Brunette, especially after notching his 200th goal.
Dud: No one playing tonight was guilty of Dud-ism, so let's give the dud to the only Wild player that got booed tonight. Marian 'Uncle Moneybags' Gaborik, who was booed when his photo was put up on the scoreboard during the Chipotle second-intermission segment.
Next: vs. Vancouver, Friday, December 5th, 7:00 PM, Xcel Energy Center (TV: KSTC-45 (in HD), Rogers SportsNet Pacific)
2 comments:
No kidding? He got booed? Normally I'm not a fan of that but my gut reaction is: Sweet!
This team continues to surprise me with its depths.
Ms. C: Yes, I thought it was good that the Wild organization heard what the fans REALLY think of the seemingly-neverending Gaborik stalemate. I, for one fan, LOVED it. Others, I know, did also.
Post a Comment