A Wild Record We Aren’t Proud Of

After losing to the Mighty Ducks on Sunday in Anaheim, the Minnesota Wild set a franchise record for most consecutive regular season losses: 5.

Let’s hope the Wild can stop the skid down the slippery slope tonight at home against the Calgary Flames. Marian Gaborik should be back on the ice, but I wouldn’t count on him to be the silver bullet –we will need a total team effort to score goals and keep up the defense.

Gaborik has missed the past 27 games thanks to his groin problems. He missed 5 games last year and 34 the year before that. Fan support for this “star” is definitely waning and if he doesn’t come out and play big tonight, it might as well be over for him. I am guessing you might hear some boo’s in the Xcel Energy Center UNLESS Gabby can score a goal (or two) then all will be forgotten in the state of hockey – because we just to win, perhaps at all costs.

Here’s a “Wild” idea, Score Goals = Win Games

What will it take for the Minnesota Wild to win? Oh yeah, goals…and more than one. Saturday night Harding stopped 42 shots on net, but received zero offensive help and the Wild faltered 0-1. I hate those kind of games. The Wild look lethargic and they need to look hungry.

The Wild start a three game road trip on the west coast tomorrow night and I hope they play with more intensity on offense. I heard that Gaborik made the trip. If he’s hoping to collect any sort of paycheck in the next couple of years he better put up some goals real soon.

Loyal Reader of MN Wild Freak

A loyal reader and now contributor to MN Wild Freak emailed me last night with some insightful thoughts. He wrote:

Did you see the Wild-Canucks game tonight?

How does Boogaard get a 10 minute misconduct for being attacked by three players?

How does Mitchell get away with an obvious trip on Boogaard?

If the league is singling out Boogaard as an example of the kind of thuggery they won't tolerate, why did they let cheap-shot artist Brad May play in the Stanley Cup finals...and if that pricks name in inscribed on the cup, it's a travesty.

Lemaire should file a formal protest with the league. This is the kind of crap that makes the NHL look like a rinky dink league.

If I'd have been there, they probably would have had to kick me out of the arena for throwing garbage onto the ice, because that's exactly what the officiating was - garbage.

I've already lost interest in the NFL....the NHL isn't too far behind...

Thanks
Marv

Thanks for the email Marv. I couldn't agree with you more on all of your points. All I know is that I hate the Canucks and that I am going to make sure that I grab a couple of Wild Tickets for the game on 3/31 to see Derek Boogaard lay down the law with Willie Mitchell.

Happy Wild Fans

Finally a game Wild fans can be happy about. It’s no secret we don’t like to lose around here and you would have thought Monday’s defensive nightmare and loss to the Avs was the end of the world, but all is forgotten now that the Wild blanked the St Louis Blues last night at the X.

The Wild power play looked great and it’s no wonder the boys are ranked second in the NHL. We plowed right through the St Louis Blues last night. I hope to see more play like that come Friday night when the Wild face off against the Vancouver Canucks again at the Xcel. It will be a good game no doubt. I am sure that Vancouver will want to prove that they belong in first place in the Northwest Division, let’s hope the Wild want to prove it, too.

Marian Gaborik Better Get Real

I am not sure if Marian Gaborik has noticed but the Minnesota Wild is currently 14-7-1 and only one point out of first place in the Northwest division of the Western Conference. This is an awfully solid record for a team that has been without their "Superstar" for all but two of its 22 games. If the rumors are true about the Minnesota Wild offering Gaborik a multi year deal for close to the league maximum and him not accepting, he needs to get his head checked. There is absolutely NO WAY, that a "China Doll" like Gaborik deserves that kind of dough.

The best thing about Marian Gaborik being greedy, is that I think the Minnesota Wild players and those people lucky enough to have Wild Tickets have finally figured out that hockey is a team game and the Wild will be fine without Marian Gaborik.

Minnesota Wild Score Big and Win

Loss, Loss, Win – that’s how the Minnesota Wild home stand has been going. The biggest difference between the first two games and the third, besides the obvious? Minnesota Wild offense production.

It seems to this MN Wild Freak that when the Wild score 3 or more goals, they win. We have the defense to shut down the other teams or at least keep the opponents below 3 goals, now we need the offense to score so we can actually win. Youngster Cal Clutterbuck showed how it’s done on Monday when he scored 3 goals against the Capitals, let’s hope the Wild can keep the scoring momentum.

There are still two more games to go sandwiched around Thanksgiving. I am going to try and get out to tonight’s game – If you need tickets, I found a new Minnesota Wild tickets site that looks pretty reasonable and it is run by local folks so I like that. It’s called Hockey Tickets Minnesota.

Upcoming Games:
Wed Nov 26, 2008 Stars@ Wild 7PM

*Happy Turkey Day*

Fri Nov 28, 2008 Lightning@ Wild 1PM

Wild playing well, will get chance to show off at home

The Minnesota Wild is sitting at 11-4-1, fourth in the Western Conference, just a point behind Vancouver Canucks, tonight’s Xcel Energy Center foe.

The Canucks are the first team of five that the Minnesota Wild will face on their upcoming home stand. The five games will be played on an every other day schedule starting tonight. I am sure it wasn’t divinely planned like that, but it’s kind of cool to play a game, have a night off, play a game, have a night off and there won’t be any plane trips to worry about.

The upcoming Minensota Wild schedule looks like this:


Thu Nov 20, 2008 Canucks @ Wild 7PM

Sat Nov 22, 2008 Blues @Wild 7PM

Mon Nov 24, 2008 Capitals@ Wild 7PM

Wed Nov 26, 2008 Stars@ Wild 7PM

*Happy Turkey Day*

Fri Nov 28, 2008 Lightning@ Wild 1PM


The Wild have been playing very solid hockey lately and I see plenty of chances to pick-up some points in the next five games – I am to the point of saying, Marian who?

Wild Scored and Won, Let’s do it Again.

Obviously the Minnesota Wild took my advice during the Wild Avalanche game in Denver last week. The Wild scored 3 goals and guess what? they won! Then they traveled to Vancouver to take on the Canucks and didn’t score at all and guess what? They lost. Wild Goalie Niklas Backstrom is doing his part, I would even venture so far as to saying the defense is doing their part, but I don’t think the Wild offense is aggressive enough and I blame a lot of it on the coaching. Come on Jacques, stop the dump and run plays and carry the puck all the way to the goal – it’s more intimidating, it’s more aggressive, it scores goals.

The Minnesota Wild are at home tonight vs the Phoenix Coyotes. Ticket King St Paul has Wild Tickets starting out at $49 each. That’s not bad. I will need to plan my funds carefully, though, because the Minnesota Wild play 10 of their next 12 game at the Xcel Energy Center and I want to make it out to as many as I can.


Go Wild!

Wild need to score to win

The Minnesota Wild is on a dangerous slippery slope. The Wild have lost three of four games since their illustrious 6-0-1 start. It’s not because of goal tending that’s for sure. In fact, the Minnesota Wild is the best in the NHL right now with just 25 goals allowed. The problem is offense and scoring. The Minnesota Wild has managed seven goals in the last four games.

Jacques Lemaire defensive coaching style is drowning out the offense and stifling players that like to score. I would have expected a few more goals from Pierre-Marc Bouchard and even James Sheppard this season. They have both been disappointing.


Tonight the Minnesota Wild play in Denver vs the Colorado Avalanche and it will be more than just Andrew Brunette with something to prove. Come on boys, let’s get some pucks between the pipes.

...just like this...

What is up with the Wild Powerplay?

How does the Minnesota Wild go 0-10 on the powerplay last night? The most disappointing thing is that I feel like the Wild had multiple opportunities to put it in the net. The powerplay futility reminded me of years ago when the Wild was unbalbe to put the "Biscuit in the basket." I hope that last night's game versus the Canadiens was just a fluke and not a sign of bad things to come. GO WILD!!!

Wild host Montreal Canadiens at Xcel on Halloween Eve

It could be a spooky night at the Xcel Energy Center tonight. The Minnesota Wild is coming off a horrible 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars last night (pathetic game). I am sure Jacques is up in arms and the team is not going to get a lot of rest to get ready for the Montreal Canadiens tonight.

Since it is Halloween Eve, the Minnesota Wild are encouraging costumes for tonight’s game and are giving away prizes to the top three kids including an autographed Minnesota Wild jersey. The top adult will be invited to make the "Let's Play Hockey!" announcement prior to the game. Let’s hope all the ghosts and goblins don’t spook our Minnesota Wild players into submission.


Luckily, Mikko Koivu isn’t spooked easily, he is off to the best start of his career and I am sure he is excited to be playing against his brother Saku Koivu tonight. It is going to be a great match-up at the X tonight and as much as I hate to pin the season on one single game, this could be a real downer for the next few months if the Wild don’t pull off a win.

Lemaire Over Coaches in Loss

In last night's defeat by the Buffalo Sabres, it became even more evident that there are times when Jacques lemaire over thinks, over scrutinizes and over coaches. With around six minutes remaining in the game and the Minnesota Wild having played great hockey in the second and the beginning of the third period, Lemaire called a time out and instructed his players on what to do the last six minutes of the game. Unfortunately, that moment was the beginning of the end.

The Minnesota Wild proceeded to play the rest of the game tight, unfocused and tentative. The Sabres scored three goals, one of which was the game winner in overtime, in less than five minutes. That left me, and by the looks on the faces of everyone at the Xcel Energy Center who bought Wild Tickets, shell shocked!

I hope that Jacques Lemaire just lets the Wild play next time they are playing well and up by two goals with less than six minutes remaining in the game. I am sure that it will result in a different outcome.

Minnesota Wild Skating Party

The Minnesota Wild has an annual Season Ticket Holder Halloween Skating Party which is going to take place on the ice of the Xcel Energy Center on Tuesday, October 28. This is a great benefit of being a Minnesota Wild Season Ticket Holder and an excellent example of how the Minnesota Wild tries to take care of those that make the commitment to Buy Wild Tickets on an annual basis. GO WILD!!!

Marian Gaborik Situation

One of my loyal readers emailed me on the "Gaborik Situation." I have not looked into the comment but I found it very interesting and insightful.

Kate from California wrote, "Minnesota Wild winger Marion Gaborik is now in the final year of his contract without an extension in place. According to the hockey handicappers at BetOnline.com, the chances of the Wild retaining Gaborik this season are a long-shot. The odds on the Minnesota lefty not being traded are at 7-to-2."

Generally speaking odds makers are really good at their jobs. This leads me to believe that it isn't a coincidence that Gaborik isn't playing tonight. My theory is that their is a trade brewing and the Minnesota Wild can't risk Gaborik being injured. We will have to wait and see!

2008-2009 Minnesota Wild Roster

I am embarrassed to admit it but I can't remember a past year when I had lower expectations than I have this year for the Minnesota Wild. The lack of "big splash" free agent signings as well as the loss of excellent contributors like Rolston and Demitra has me longing for the years when I expected the Minnesota Wild to win and go to the NHL Playoffs. However, let's face it, the Minnesota Wild hasn't exactly prospered in the playoffs since their improbable run to the Western Conference Finals during the 2002-2003 season. Every year after that run, I had extremely high expectations to only be let down by my favorite NHL team. I just hope that this year the exact opposite happens where I expect very little but the Minnesota Wild thrives and brings home their first Stanley Cup!

I am definitely going to grab a few Minnesota Wild Tickets for the Home Opener versus the Boston Bruins in order to see if the impressive preseason record is for real. GO WILD!!!

Boston Bruins vs. Minnesota Wild

This year, I have the unique opportunity to see one of the all-time great players for my favorite WCHA hockey team play versus my favorite NHL hockey team. Phil Kessel (formerly of the Minnesota Gophers) and the Boston Bruins come to the XCEL Energy Center to take on the Minnesota Wild on October 11th. The only thing that makes this even better is that it is the "Home Opener" for the Wild. I have already started hitting up my buddies for their Minnesota Wild Tickets to this game. I am going to have a hard time cheering against a former Gophers Hockey Player but I am going to have to do it. GO MINNESOTA WILD!!!

Minnesota Wild Schedule

The Minnesota Wild schedule is out and I see that ticket brokers like Ticket King are already trying to capitalize by putting their season tickets up for sale. It’s not a bad business plan – it’s like a pre-sale on Minnesota Wild tickets. I am already making plans to attend several games with buddies. Here is my list of the top games at the Xcel Energy Center. My must attend list by month (I tried to pick one game a month) in date order, not necessarily importance:

1. October 11th vs. Boston Bruins – Opening night
2. November 20th vs. Vancouver Canucks – Welcome to the Xcel Energy Center Mattias Ohlund – Beware.
3. December 1st vs. Colorado Avalanche – second meeting between the teams, but first time at home. A moral must win after the Avs knocked us out of the playoffs last year.
4. December 31st vs. San Jose Sharks – New Years at the X rocks my hockey world. A holiday game should get it’s own month.
5. January 3rd vs. Detroit Red Wings – a chance to bet the defending cup champs. They should be cold and tired after playing that outdoor Wrigley field game on New Years Day.
6. February 6th vs. Nashville Predators – hosting his past team on his new teams home ice is a must win for new owner Craig Leipold.
7. March 31st vs. Vancouver Canucks – OK, so I like to watch the Wild play the Canucks. There is so much tension and the competition is huge. It’s hockey at it’s best. Besides, I want to jeer Pavol Demitra – he never was that good at playing at the “X.”
8. April 3rd vs. Calgary Flames – could be playoff critical game.

Remember to check my other Minnesota Wild blog: Hockey Wilderness for Minnesota Wild updates. It’s a great platform for a Wild community. I welcome other Wild fans or critics to leave their opinions or point other Wild fans to cool pictures, links or stories on the web. Check it out!

Minnesota Wild Schedule

I read somewhere that the Minnesota Wild schedule is set to come out on July 16th. –sigh- Just sitting here in Hockey Wilderness waiting for the schedule to come out.

Minnesota Wild Roster includes Andrew Brunette

I have been writing a lot about the Minnesota Wild roster changes over on my other Wild hockey blog, http://www.hockeywilderness.com/ , but since it is so easy to see my MN Wild Freak post on June 19th that brought up the fact that the Minnesota Wild should put Andrew Brunette back in a Wild sweater, I want to say I TOLD YOU SO. I had a gut feeling that Andrew Brunette was coming back to Minnesota after I heard a brief rumor months ago. Bruno is a solid hockey player and I know he wants to play for Jacques Lemaire and the Minnesota Wild so that always helps. I am not happy that the Minnesota Wild couldn’t get things done with Brian Rolston and he will be sorely missed, but I still think we have a chance at putting a playoff bound team on the ice this year…as long as every one stays healthy.

Minnesota Wild went tough, but won’t endure

It is interesting to this MN Wild Freak that the Minnesota Wild didn’t extend a contract to either Aaron Voros or Todd Fedoruk, both Minnesota Wild tough guys. It surprises me because the Wild went so tough last year and then what? Decided to change direction? I don’t know. They drafted physical defenseman Tyler Cuma, but why not try to keep Voros or Fedoruk to insure enough muscle on the ice for the immediate next season. It seems worthless to put together a tough team and then let it fall apart so quickly.

As far as skill players go, the Minnesota Wild still haven’t sealed a deal with Brian Rolston. It appears Rolston is looking for a bigger offer and hoping to get one post July 1st. Keep checking my hockey wilderness blog for Minnesota Wild Roster updates!

Andrew Brunette back in a Wild sweater

I wrote a story about Andrew Brunette coming back over on Hockey Wilderness awhile back and I am not ready to let the issue die. If one thing is for certain, every Minnesota Wild fan wants Andrew Brunette back. Sure, he is playing for the Colorado Avalanche and liking it, but his contract is open and the Wild could use him back. If the Wild get him back, would that up the teams chances in FINALLY making it to the Stanley Cup? The answer is a definite yes. Brunette is a proven hockey player, especially in the playoffs. Add Andrew Brunette to the stellar Minnesota Wild roster of Brian Rolston, Marian Gaborik, Nick Schultz, Mikko Koivu, Brent Burns and friends and the Minnesota Wild turn into a better version of the Detroit Red Wings. No joke.

Wild make first offseason move, secure Marc-Andre Bergeron

There is no doubt that the Minnesota Wild will be busy during the off season. They have plenty of loose ends to deal with including free agents, new signings and soon to be expired contracts. I would love to be a fly on the wall at the Minnesota Wild offices right now.

The Minnesota Wild made their first off season move this week trading a third round pick to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron. I am not sure what the exact motivation was for this particular move since Bergeron is not a proven player. He’s not physical and he had a minus-16 plus-minus rating last season. Perhaps he will fill the slot of Kurtis Foster until he gets that femur back to normal. My guess is Bergeron will bounce in and out of the Minnesota Wild lineup next year and will not be a key player.

Hockey Wilderness has a new look

My other Minnesota Wild Blog, Hockey Wilderness, has a sweet new layout. I haven’t figured out how to use all the bells and whistles yet, but I am stoked! It looks trendier than the previous version and the folks over at SB Nation promise big things from this new site. Wish me luck at figuring it out and stop over and sign-up for an account and comment me! Go Wild!

NHL playoffs

Well hockey fans, it looks like the two best teams in the NHL are on a collision course to make it to the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins both lead their conference final playoff series 3 games to none. I guess I can't say this MN Wild Freak is surprised. I love the NHL and I love professional hockey, it’s fitting the two best teams meet up. I just wish I wasn't watching it in my living room and was watching it at the Xcel Energy Center instead.

Minnesota Wild NHL Playoff Jinx

To further prove my Minnesota Wild is jinxed in the NHL Playoffs theory, look at my Wild ticket prices post on hockey wilderness. 13 playoff games, yikes!

Insult to Injury!

I thought that I was as depressed as I could get after the Minnesota Wild lost to the Colorado Avalanche in six games. That was until the Avalanche were swept by the Detroit Red Wings in four games in the Western Conference Semifinals. How does a team (Avalanche) and a goalie (Theodore) play so well against the Minnesota Wild and so Poorly the next week against the Red Wings? Give me a break, the Avalanche lost 8-2 in game four!

This is further proof that the Minnesota Wild is jinxed in the NHL Playoffs and may never again advance out of the first round. Could someone please email me and help talk me down off the ledge?

Minnesota Wild MN Wild Freak

If anyone wants to discuss any of my Minnesota Wild blog posts over the summer, please send me an email and don't forget that the next Wild season is only five months away. GO WILD!!!

Don't forget to check out my other Minnesota Wild hockey blog: Hockey Wilderness

Am I Being a Baby?

I feel like I am being a baby but I am not sure. I watched the Red Wings vs. Avalanche game last night and I couldn't help but feel sorry for myself as well as the whole "Wild Nation." First of all, how does the often injured Peter Forsberg last the entire series versus the Wild yet misses the first game versus the Red Wings? Second of all, how does Jose Theodore play like the second coming of Ken Dryden versus the Wild yet gives up four goals and gets yanked in the first game versus the Red Wings? I can't help but think that if either of these things occurred in the Wild series, there would have been a totally different outcome. However, maybe I am Just being a baby?

Marian Gaborik Hip Injury

Anyone who reads this blog knows I am not a huge Marian Gaborik fan. I get tired of all of his “injuries” and excuses and his whole I will play my hardest when I want to play my hardest attitude. I just read that Gabby is claiming a hip injury that will keep him from playing in the World Championship games this summer. Another injury? Come on. Well, at least he isn’t making an excuse to get out of a playoff game, that would send me over the edge! He better not use that hip injury as an excuse for his poor performance in the NHL playoffs, though. Be a man, Gaborik, own up.

Top 5 Positives for Minnesota Wild Season

Here is a list of the five positives I have taken away from the 2008 Minnesota Wild Season:

1. The emergence of Mikko Koivu as a bona fide star.
2. The continued development of Brent Burns into a top tier NHL Defenseman.
3. Winning the Northwest Division.
4. The defining of Stephane Veilleux as a "Grinder."
5. The play of Todd Fedoruk as both a "Scorer" as well as a "Heavyweight."

Top 5 Minnesota Wild Season Disappointments

These are the five biggest negatives that I have taken away from the 2008 Minnesota Wild Season:

1. Marian Gaborik not showing up for the NHL Playoffs.
2. The Minnesota Wild losing in the first round of the NHL Playoffs.
3. Pavol Demitra playing below expectations.
4. Niklas Backstrom coming back to earth and simply playing above average.
5. Doug Riseborough not doing what it takes to improve the team at the trading deadline.

2008 Wild Season a Disappointment!

I just spent a few minutes reflecting on the 2008 Minnesota Wild Season and I came to the conclusion that it was a total disappointment. I tried very hard to look at the positives but whenever I did, my mind went straight back to the first round NFL Playoff loss to the Colorado Avalanche. I as a Wild fan (freak), was not looking for moral victories like winning the division because at the beginning of the year I thought this team would contend for the Stanley Cup. It is going to be a long summer for the Minnesota Wild and the fans of the Minnesota Wild because of the early NHL playoff exit. If the team doesn't take the next step next year, the Minnesota Wild may have issues continuing their sell-out streak and Minnesota Wild tickets will no longer be a coveted item.

What More Can the Wild Do?

I wasn't lucky enough to be at the Xcel Energy Center last night for the Wild game but I did watch every minute of the game on TV. I came away from the game being extremely disappointed with the loss but I was also very happy with the Minnesota Wild effort. I think that last night's game was one of the best five games that the Minnesota Wild has played this year. The score could have easily been 5-2 in favor of the Minnesota Wild. Instead they lost 3-2 because Jose Theodore, the Colorado Avalanche Goalie, played as well as I have ever seen a goalie play. The Play of Theodore was eerily similar to the play of Jean-Sebastien Giguere when the Anaheim Ducks knocked the Minnesota Wild out of the 2002-2003 NHL Playoffs.

Even though the Minnesota Wild lost the game, I still have hope that they can pull this series out if they continue to play the way they played last night. Just imagine how different this series would be if Marian Gaborik wasn't a -3 with no goals or assists. Maybe he will be a factor on Saturday in Colorado.

What Happened to the Wild?

Can someone please email me and give me some sort of explanation as to what happened to the Minnesota Wild. They played one of their best ten minutes of hockey this year last night during the overtime period versus the Colorado Avalanche. They played with crazy amounts of intensity and completely outplayed Joe Sakic and the Colorado Avalanche. Tonight they seem to have decided that the series was already won and the have plated flat and on their heels while giving up three first period goals to the Avalanche. How does this team come out flat in the NHL Playoffs and why didn't Jacques Lemaire call a timeout after the second goal? More importantly, what the hell is going on with my favorite NHL team?

Gaborik Where Are You?

Why is it that Marian Gaborik disappears when it is time for the NHL Playoffs? He can't call himself a "Superstar" until he is a factor in the NHL Playoffs. So far, in this series versus the Colorado Avalanche, he has been a complete disappointment. Not only has he not scored, but Derek Boogaard has had more legitimate scoring chances than Gaborik has. The Minnesota Wild have zero chance of winning this series if Gaborik doesn't score and Gaborik should have zero chance of getting an even bigger contract after next year if he doesn't show up this series.

Violent Minnesota Wild Game

The on ice action between the Avalanche and the Wild wasn't the only place at the Xcel Energy Center where it was violent and dangerous. I almost lost my life twice during the Wild game on Friday! I sat 6 rows up by the penalty boxes and was almost impailed twice during the game by flying objects. In the first period, a puck missed my head by less than 2 feet and drilled a lady sitting next to me. Then, in the second period, a stick flew into the crowd and landed one row behind me.

The next time that my buddy offers to give me his Minnesota Wild Tickets, I am going to have to remember to wear a helmet and shield. If you plan on going to the Minnesota Wild game at the Xcel Energy Center on Thursday, keep your head up because it is Playoff Hockey. GO WILD!!!

Wild will need some luck to win Avalanche series

On my most recent MN Wild Freak poll, most of the Wild fans predicted the Wild would face off against the Colorado Avalanche (61%), but do you suppose the Wild fans would have predicted an overtime loss in the first game of the first round of the NHL Playoffs? The Minnesota Wild played well, but lady luck was not our side. Let’s hope Friday is a better night at the Xcel Energy Center.

Wild Playoff Roster Decisions

Now that we know that it will be Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the NHL Playoffs, it will be interesting to see what the Wild's roster will look like. I am certain that Simon, Boogaard and Fedoruk would have suited up had the Minnesota Wild played the Calgary Flames in the first round. However, I am not as certain that the trio of tough guys will all suit up against Joe Sakic and the Colorado Avalanche. On one hand, the Avalanche tend to play a more up tempo style which doesn't suit guys like Boogaard. On the other hand, last year with the Anaheim Ducks, we saw how important a strong physical presence is in the playoffs. They were able to neutralize the speed of the Marian Gaborik and the Minnesota Wild by intimidating them through their physical play. That style of game seems to really work in the playoffs. This year, it will be fun to watch the Minnesota Wild push instead of be pushed. GO WILD!!!

Minnesota Wild Playoff Tickets

If you are interested in buying Minnesota Wild Playoff Tickets, I found a site where they don't charge any extra fees and they seem to own a ton of tickets at pretty decent prices. There are Wild Playoff Tickets starting at around $100/Ticket for each of the four NHL Western Conference Quarterfinal games at the Xcel Energy Center. I have bought Wild Tickets from Ticket King before but the St. Paul Ticket King website seems to be more focused on Saint Paul Tickets. Don't be afraid to stop at the Ticket King Saint Paul Office the day of the game because they generally drop their prices as you get closer to the event. The office is on 7th. street just a few doors down from the Eagle Street Grille and only a couple of hundred yards from the Xcel Energy Center.

NHL First Round Playoff Opponent

Now that my favorite NHL team has clinched a playoff spot, it is time to analyze the Western Conference Standings and ever changing NHL Playoff Matchups on a daily basis. If the season ended today, the Minnesota Wild would host Joe Sakic and the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. The Minnesota Wild leads the regular season series 5-2, which includes winning the last four games between the two teams. The two teams end the regular season by playing each other on Sunday, April 6th. If the Wild wins this game, they will have beaten the Avs five straight games. In my mind, that statistic is both good and bad. I like that the Wild appears to have their number however it makes me nervous that they will have to try to extend this great streak against a team as talented as the Colorado Avalanche.

The important thing to consider is that the Minnesota Wild is playing solid hockey right now. If they continue to play like Marian Gaborik and the rest of the boys have been playing recently, it probably doesn't matter who they play. However, I am sure that I will continue to check the up to date standings on a daily basis and work myself up into a tizzy. GO WILD!!!

Branko Radivojevic is March Wild MVP

If Branko Radivojevic keeps up his current level of play, he gets my nod as the MVP of the Minnesota Wild for the month of March. He continued his hot play with one goal and one assist tonight versus the Edmonton Oilers. He has three goals and two assists in his last six games and the Minnesota Wild has needed every one of them. What is most impressive about this is that he is getting points while primarily called on to be a defensive stopper. If the Minnesota Wild expects to go on a Playoff run, they are going to need continued scoring from roll players like Branko. GO WILD!!!

Northwest Division is tight, Wild need wins

The Northwest Division is so tight that every win (and loss) counts. The Wild have had a rocky go at it, losing in shootouts and Monday night losing BIG TIME to the Edmonton Oilers. The Wild embarrassed themselves and their fans with the 5-2 Oilers loss. The Wild have a chance to redeem themselves tonight on their home ice at7pm. The Wild Oilers match-up should be a hot game!

Remember to check out my SB Nation Minnesota Wild blog www.hockeywilderness.com for my latest take on the Minnesota Wild team.

What's with the Wild?

After watching tonight's Minnesota Wild vs. San Jose Sharks game, I was left wondering what has happened to my favorite NHL Team. It appears to me that they have completely lost their moxie and have absolutely no confidence. I can't help but wonder if Jacques Lemaire is to blame. It feels like the constant line changing and the calling out of his players has had a negative affect on the Minnesota Wild. I think that we are at a crucial juncture this season and it may be time to simply stick to the lines that were effective at the beginning of the year and let them play. Maybe this would allow the Minnesota Wild to play less tight and let their talent lead them to victories. It can't get much worse than it has been the last week?

Captain Marian Gabroik

Heads up wild fans, Marian Gaborik is the Minnesota Wild March Captain, Does this mean he has put his big girl panties on? Read my previous Marian Gabroik post for explanation.

The Wild have a four game home stand starting on March 9th, Wild vs San Jose. Let’s hope the home ice advantage can put some wins on the board and some space between the Wild and Flames.

Matt Cooke a Washington Capital?

It is hard to believe but the hockey player that I hate the most has been traded from the Western Conference Vancouver Canucks to the Eastern Conference Washington Capitals. For years, every time the Wild played the Canucks, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for Matt Cooke to get drilled by Todd Fedoruk or Derek Boogaard. Now, the #1 instigator in the NHL is in the Eastern Conference where the Minnesota Wild will seldom see him. I am sure that fans of the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers and Islanders will soon feel like I do about Matt Cooke. He Sucks!

Chris Simon Era

Before you get your undies in a bundle, over the acquisition of Chris Simon, please take a look at the Minnesota Wild's record since Chris Simon joined the Wild. After tonight's impressive yet close victory over the Florida Panthers, the Minnesota Wild is 2-0 since adding Chris Simon to the roster. Is it a coincidence? Being a glass is half full guy, I say that it isn't a coincidence. The Minnesota Wild was in a slump prior to adding him and are now on a roll since he started suiting up. The "skill players" seem to be playing with more confidence. I just hope that Boogaard comes back so I can see a line consisting of Boogaard, Fedoruk and Simon! GO WILD!!!

Chris Simon Joins the Minnesota Wild

Want to know how I feel about the Wild acquiring NHL thug Chris Simon? Read my SB Nation Minnesota Wild hockey blog ! www.hockeywilderness.com

Wild need to Move to Improve

It is officially time to panic. Yesterdays Calgary game was terrible and the Minnesota Wild is a hockey team reeling and it is crunch time. I just hope that Doug Risebrough and the rest of the Wild front office brass have the same opinion.

I am afraid that the Minnesota Wild is too much like the Minnesota Twins in that they are unwilling to think outside of the box and actually take some chances. For the last five or six years, the Minnesota Twins have been unwilling to make a trade where they received a veteran player that could help them win now in exchange for a young player that would help them win later. We are now hearing the same type of things from the Minnesota Wild.

The Wild have publicly stated that they aren’t willing to “mortgage their future” for a “rent a player” at the trading deadline. Well, time is running out. They have sold out every game since their inception but my impression is that if they don’t make a run in the playoffs this year, the loyal Minnesota Wild fans are going to get restless. How long will they continue to sell out the arena when the team is so cautious and always playing for next year? In my mind, it is time for the Minnesota Wild front office to take a chance and make a move before the trading deadline. If they don’t, they most assuredly will be like the Minnesota Twins and always be a bridesmaid but never a bride!

Where is the Killer Instinct?

The Minnesota Wild had a chance to put a nail in the Vancouver Canucks' coffin tonight but instead they came out flat and lost to the Canucks in overtime. So, instead of being up eight points on Vancouver in the standings, they are only up five points which is in striking distance. I don't understand how the Minnesota Wild could not be fired up beyond belief for tonight's NHL game but they weren't. At this point in the season, I still don't have a good feel for whether the Minnesota Wild has what it takes to go on a long NHL Playoff run. I would like to buy Minnesota Wild Playoff tickets this year so I hope they have what it takes!

I also wish someone would drill Matt Cooke. There are very few NHL players that I despise as much as Matt Cooke. For some reason, the referees are blind to his "cheap shots" and his instigating ways. It would be really fun to watch someone (Fedoruk) kick his butt!

Wild vs. Oilers

It is the second intermission and watching the Minnesota Wild game has made me want to rip my hair out. While watching the game, a few questions have come to mind:

1) How do you out shoot the Oilers by like 20 shots in the second period and not lead the game?
2) Why does it seem like the opposition goalie always looks like Ken Dryden when they play the Minnesota Wild?
3) Can the Wild actually blow someone out some day?
4) When does Boogaard come back?
5) Does Backstom have to let in one soft goal every game?

All that I can hope is that my favorite team will dominate the third period like they did the second period and actually score a few goals. I am going to go grab a cold beverage and analyze the third period. Losing this game would be a major drag!

Minnesota Wild compete in close call games

The Minnesota Wild are keeping fans on their toes with close wins and losses. Here is a run down of the most recent Wild games:

<>Thursday Feb 7 Wild vs. Dallas Stars at Xcel Energy Center 1 – 0 Loss
<>Saturday Feb 9 Wild vs. NY Islanders at Xcel Energy Center 3 - 4 Win, Overtime
<>Sunday Feb 10 Wild vs. St Louis Blues at St Louis 2 – 1 Win, Shootout

Upcoming games:
>>Feb 12th vs. Edmonton Oilers in Edmonton
>>Feb 14th vs. Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver
>>Feb 17th Wild vs. Nashville Predators at Xcel energy Center

Remember, you can read about all the Wild games and my Wild hockey insight on my SB Nation Wild hockey blog, www.hockeywilderness.com - Log-on today and leave me a comment! Go Wild!

Wild Play Well against Red Wings

The Minnesota Wild lost to the Detroit Red Wings at the Xcel Energy Center last night. It was a tight match-up and the Wild lost in overtime 3-2. The fluky goal that sent the game into overtime must have hit a players skate and then one of Backstroms pads. I still don’t know how it went in. The Wild skated extra hard against the NHL leading Red Wings and despite the loss, coach Jacques Lemaire had this to say:

"I thought we played our best game of the year," said Lemaire, "I'm really happy the way our players played. We played hard. We got a point."

Up next for the Wild is another home game against the Dallas Stars tomorrow night. The game is sold out through the Wild and it looks like it is a hot game for ticket brokers as well. Ticket King has Wild tickets starting out at $70 each for the Wild vs Stars game. I guess Minnesota fans are still excited to see Mike Modano and the old North Stars take the ice.

Let’s go Wild!

Wild beat Ducks

The Minnesota Wild beat the Anaheim Mighty Ducks at the Xcel Energy Center last night 5-1. My favorite high-light shot was of Anaheim Goalie J.S. Giguere throwing a fit on the bench. He was kicking his feet like a two year old. The Wild looked to be firing on all cylinders after their short All Star Break.

The Wild travel to Columbus for a game Saturday night and then will be back at the “X” on Tuesday February 5th to take on the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings are arguably the best team in the NHL and this Western Conference rival match-up is a game you won’t want to miss. The Red Wings will be trying to avenge their loss to the Wild that happened in Detroit on January 10th. I am sure the Red Wings will want to embarrass the Wild on their home ice, but this MN Wild Freak hopes they won’t succeed. Wild tickets to this hot game are moving fast! Go Wild!

Minnesota’s Golden Boy Scores in All Star Game

It was nice to see the Wilds own Marian Gaborik representing Minnesota Wild hockey well at this years All Star game in Atlanta. Gaborik scored a goal in the third period and for awhile it almost looked like it would be the game winner. The West ended up losing 7-8 and the third period was about the only period worth watching as far as hard hitting close action is concerned. Last year, Brian Rolston represented the Minnesota Wild and scored two goals at the All Star Game so Gaborik had big shoes to fill.

Let’s hope the Wild can return from their All Star Break with the same fervor as they went in with. There are Minnesota Wild tickets from local ticket brokers available. Let’s go Wild!

Wild can’t handle the Flames in Calgary

The Minnesota Wild had a great chance at Calgary on Tuesday night to put some separation between themselves and other teams in the Northwest Division. They got off to a promising start with Brian Rolston’s first period goal, but the Wild were stalemated the rest of the contest while giving up two goals to the Flames. Wild killer Jarome Iginla was shut out, but it still didn’t matter for the Wild, who has a history of struggling at Calgary. A bright spot for the Wild was Josh Harding, who started in net and made 35 saves. The two goals netted on him were from bad defense by Keith Carney and a turnover, respectively.

The next time the Wild play at home is after the All Star break when they take on the Mighty Ducks. You can get Wild tickets from local brokers like Ticket King for around $80 each. Let's go Wild!

Jekyll & Hyde

Now when I tune into a Minnesota Wild game, I watch the first ten minutes with one eye open and one eye shut. Generally speaking, I am able to figure out which Minnesota Wild team has shown up in that span of time. Is it the lethargic team that just goes through the motions and loses or is it the energized hard skating team that pressures their opponent into a submissive victory?

Well, last night, the Minnesota Wild team that flies around the ice, fore checks with a reckless abandon and back checks like their lives depend on it while taking advantage of their opponent’s mistakes showed up. The Minnesota Wild completely outplayed the Vancouver Canucks on way to a 4-2 win on the Canucks ice.

I really hope that the same Wild team shows up tonight against the Calgary Flames because Jarome Iginla and the Flames have the Minnesota Wild’s number. The Wild have only won once in their last 12 visits to Calgary. I will definitely watch the first ten minutes of the game tonight with only one eye open. GO WILD!!!

Minnesota Wild versus Anaheim Ducks

I was never as fired up for a Wild regular season hockey game as I was for last night’s game versus the HATED Anaheim Ducks. I marked it on my Wild Schedule months ago as a “must see” game because I viewed it as a retribution game for the Minnesota Wild. It was an extremely big game that was full of sub-plots:

1. It was the first time the Ducks played at the Xcel Energy Center since last year’s playoffs.
2. The Minnesota Wild had already beaten the Anaheim Ducks twice this year in Anaheim.
3. Derek Boogard came of the IR just in time to suit up for the Wild.
4. In Minnesota, Todd Bertuzzi is the most hated NHL player.
5. The two NHL franchises have a general dislike for each other.


All of the sub-plots as well as my overall hatred for the Anaheim Ducks forced me to shell out big buck$ for some Wild Tickets and head down to the Xcel Energy Center for the much anticipated game.

Unfortunately, almost everything in the game that could go wrong went wrong. The Anaheim Ducks won the game 4-2. There wasn’t any retribution dished out by Derek Boogard for Brad May’s “sucker punch” on Kim Johanson in the Playoffs last year and Todd Bertuzzi had two goals and an assist.

The game was an utter disappointment! I wonder if I can get a refund on the Minnesota Wild Tickets I bought. The only positive I can come up with right now is that the same two teams face of at the Xcel energy Center January 30th. GO WILD!!!!

Minnesota Wild Sellout Streak

There probably wont be any added fanfare surrounding the Minnesota Wild reaching its 300Th consecutive sellout this Wednesday but it is an impressive streak that is hard to duplicate in any sport. This streak is the longest active sellout streak in the NHL and it has no chance of stopping unless something drastic takes place. It can be attributed to the rabid fan support for Minnesota Wild Hockey in the Twin Cities as well as the exceptional product both on and off the ice that the Wild organization has produced. I as a HUGE Minnesota Wild fan congratulate both the organization and the Minnesota fans who have purchase all of those Wild Tickets to make the streak possible. GO WILD!!!

Minnesota Wild Sold

Craig Leipold, former owner of the Nashville Predators, has bought the Minnesota Wild and all its entities for an undisclosed amount of money. Leipold is a resident of Racine, Wisconsin and is said to be a real hockey guy. In fact when current Minnesota Wild owner Bob Naegle informed Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty that Greg Leipold was coming to the Wild, the Governor said, “Oh good the Wild could always use another defenseman.” Leipold has a repuation as a passionate hockey guy and this MN Wild Freak thinks although the move is oddly timed (middle of the season) it should be seamless to fans. If anything, it will be interesting to see a new owner roaming the concourses of the Xcel Energy Center or at least roaming the Xcel suite level.

Burns, Gaborik, Backstrom lead as Wild hit season midpoint

So who is doing the best so far for the Minnesota Wild this season? The Wild has played through 48 games on their schedule this season which is near the halfway point in the season. Brent Burns has turned out to be the Wild's best defenseman, as he has compiled 25 points and a +3 ice ratio. He leads all defensemen in goals. Unsurprisingly, right winger Marian Gaborik has led the team in points with 40 in only 37 games played. A quarter of his 21 goals came in one game against the New York Rangers, when he scored five.

Goalie Josh Harding is enjoying more net time this year. He was projected to get around thirty starts and has played in 16 games with a 7-8 win loss record. His goals against average of 3.02 is higher than starting goalie Niklas Backstrom's 2.44, so look for Harding to try and improve that stat so Jacques Lemaire can have more confidence in him.

Minnesota Wild Schedule

The Minnesota Wild schedule is not an easy road in the next two weeks. The Wild played the second place Dallas Stars last night and again on January 7, and then the first place Detroit Red Wings on January 10. This is a mean stretch in the season, let's see if the Wild can hang in there in the Western Conference standings. Go Wild!

Sharks chomp a Wild comeback

The Minnesota Wild went hard for three periods last Monday against the San Jose Sharks, but the Sharks won out in the end after a lucky bounce for a Jonathan Cheechoo goal in the third period. The Wild had just tied the score at two a piece ten seconds earlier.

The Sharks have now won 10 straight road games, putting them in a tie for the second longest streak with four other teams. The NHL record of 12 straight was set by the Detroit Red Wings in March and April of 2006. The loss was bad for Minnesota Wild hockey because it propelled the San Jose Sharks to fourth place in the Western Conference standings with 49 points while leaving the Wild behind in sixth with only 46.