The Wild were Definitely Dangerous

After watching the Anaheim Mighty Ducks absolutely crush the Vancouver Canucks the other night 5-1, I don’t feel as bad that the Minnesota Wild fared as they did against the powerhouse Ducks. At least the Wild competed in every game and had a chance to get some lucky bounces that might lead to goals. It proves how dangerous the Wild really were if they could have snuck past what many people consider the favorite in the race for Lord Stanley’s cup. I’m keeping an eye on the rest of this Vancouver/Anaheim series – it will be interesting if the Canucks put up a fight.

Minnesota Wild vs. Mighty Ducks 2007-2008

The only silver lining to the Minnesota Wild losing to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the NHL Playoffs this year is that the future games between these two teams will be a blast to watch. There is still bad blood between the Ducks and Wild and I have the feeling that the first game between them will be a blood bath. It will be fun to watch Derek Boogaard beat Brad May silly for the crap that he pulled on Kim Johnnson. I am sure that the games involving the Ducks and Minnesota Wild next year will have an NHL Playoff feel to them. I know that I am going to circle those on the Minnesota Wild Schedule as must see games.

Brent Burns Is The Man!

The silver lining to watching every minute of this otherwise disappointing NHL Playoff Series is that I have been able to witness the coming of age of Brent Burns. There has never been any doubt that Brent Burns has tons of talent. I did at times in the past question his toughness and leadership ability. After watching him step up his game late this year and then take it to the next level versus the Anaheim Mighty Ducks I no longer have any doubt that Brent Burns has become an elite defenseman in the NHL. I can't wait to see him take the next step whether it is tonight or next year. GO WILD!!!

Brad May Is A Punk!!!

The only negative to the Minnesota Wild winning last night at the Xcel Energy Center is that we aren't going to get the opportunity to watch Derek Boogaard destroy Brad May. Now that Bertuzzi is watching his P's & Q's, Brad May is the biggest punk in the NHL. His sucker punch of Kim Johnnson was cowardly and deserves payback. Unfortunately, the NHL will take matters into their own hands and suspend him for the rest of the series. I would rather watch Boogaard punish May by knocking him out. GO WILD!!!

Gaborik Where Are You?

Has anyone seen Marian Gaborik and Pavol Demitra? They have both been a no show for this NHL Playoff series against the Mighty Ducks. How do two talented players like Gaborik and Demitra not have one shot on goal in last Sunday's game? Even if the Minnesota Wild lose this series to the Mighty Ducks, it sure would be nice to see Gaborik and Demitra score a few goals. So, if you know where they are hiding, please let them know that their team is still playing this year. GO WILD!!!

No Consistency with Referees

I have spent the year enjoying the "New NHL" and the subtle changes that were made to the game that have put more of a premium on passing, speed and puck-handling. The NHL Referees did an excellent job of calling penalties any time that a player reverted to the "Old NHL" and held or obstructed a player. The game was just plain better! Now, for some reason, the NHL Referees have decided to call the games like they were called before. They have allowed the Mighty Ducks to obstruct and hold Minnesota Wild Players. It has taken the speed out of the game and has allowed the Mighty Ducks to turn this NHL Playoff Series into a flashback series where speed didn't matter and the outcome can be decided based on who can hold or obstruct the most. Hopefully, tonight the NHL Referees will decide to call the game consistent to the way that the entire regular season was called.

Stanley Cup Championship On Horizon

I was just thinking about the NHL Playoffs and the fact that the Minnesota Wild only have to win 16 more games this year in order to raise the Stanley Cup for the State of Hockey. I am sure that Jacques Lemaire and the rest of the Minnesota Wild coaching staff have made it perfectly clear to Gaborik, Rolston, Burns and the rest of the boys that they need to play one game at a time and not worry about who their next opponent will be or get too far ahead of themselves. I unfortunately, am not a member of the Minnesota Wild so I can look ahead and start the countdown from 16 t0 1.

In Jacques Lemaire I Trust

As I was lamenting over the Minnesota Wilds chance of advancing past the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, I for some reason had a cocky sort of calm come over me. At that moment, I remembered that the Minnesota Wild are coached by Jacques Lemaire. There is not a better coach to lead their team into the NHL Playoffs than Jacques. In 2003, he took the Minnesota Wild within three victories of heading to the final series for the Stanley Cup Championship. That team was over matched by all three teams that it beat yet Jacques Lemaire found a way to coach the Wild to big win after big win. So, for all of you that think that there is no chance that the Minnesota Wild can beat the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in this best of seven series, remember who is standing on the Minnesota Wild bench and remember waht he has accomplished as an NHL coach. Thanks to Jacques Lemaire, the Minnesota Wild will advance.

I read Twin Cities Tickets Blog and got the low down on the NHL Playoff Ticket market. It sounds like they are a hot commodity.

Please Let There Be No Injuries

At this point of the season, with virtually no chance of catching the division leading Vancouver Canucks, the Minnesota Wild coaching staff should be resting Gaborik, Demitra, Rolston, Backstrom and Bouchard in order to prevent an injury. the only down side to resting them is that there is a chance that the team could lose some of their momentum. That is a risk that I am willing to take in order to guarantee that the Minnesota Wild will skate into the NHL Playoffs full-strength. GO WILD!!!

Wild Can't Beat Hot Colorado Avalanche

The Minnesota Wild dropped another contest Saturday night against the Colorado Avalanche for their third consecutive loss. The Wild have already secured a playoff spot, but their chances of gaining the third seed in the Western Conference are fading. The Vancouver Canucks currently hold that spot with 101 points in the Northwest division. Colorado Avalanche power plays got the Minnesota Wild in trouble as the Avalanche were able to cash in to beat the Wild 2-1. The Minnesota Wild is sadly losing some of their previously furious momentum going into the NHL hockey playoffs. Instead, the Colorado Avalanche is the hottest team in hockey right now, as they set a Colorado Avalanche franchise record for wins in the month of March. The Avalanche is still behind the Calgary Flames for the eighth spot in the Western Conference playoffs despite their solid play in March.

Minnesota Wild Playoff Tickets

I was reading my favorite Twin Cities Ticket Blog and saw that Minnesota Wild Playoff Tickets have been sent to the season ticket holders that ordered their seats for the post season. It sounds like good seats are being sold for $250/Ticket. My hunch is that the prices will go up if the Minnesota Wild play the Detroit Red Wings in the first round versus the current match-up of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Playing the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL Playoffs is like playing the New York Yankees in the MLB Playoffs. All I know is that I CANT WAIT!!!