Wild @ Thrashers - 10-14-08 - View from My Recliner
Wild win 4-2 tonite, in front of about 13 people at Phillips Arena in Atlanta. All told the Wizzy played a pretty good game. Another slow start, but they got it going thanks to a bevy of power play opportunities.

Antti Miettinen
It’s early, and the sun shines on the blah blah sometimes, but Antti Miettinen sure seems to have some offensive promise. From what I remember he would show flashes in Dallas, but never was consistent. Well, he had both the game-winning and insurance goals for the Wild tonite. His 1st goal was on a semi-breakaway where he held off Thrasher D Mathieu Schneider and roofed a backhander over Thrasher G Kari Lehtonen. His 2nd goal came on a pretty give and go 3 on 2 with Wild F Andrew Brunette. He also had an assist on Bruno’s PP goal in the 1st period for a 3 point nite. Hopefully his new start in Minny is the key to realizing his potential.

Marian Gaborik Sighting
Gabby played a very strong game tonite. He had a handful of good scoring chances, and he scored a fabulous goal in the 3rd that gave the Wild the lead at 2-1. Brunette, Mikko Koivu, and Gaborik were pressuring as a Wild powerplay expired. Koivu got the puck to the front of the net where Schneider got control of the puck for Atlanta. Gabby lifted Schneider’s stick from behind and in one slick motion fired the puck past Lehtonen. And suddenly, I found myself really wanting Gabby to sign with the Wild.

Jots

• Andrew Brunette got his 1st goal of his 2nd tour of duty with the Wild on the PP in the 1st period.
• I am really falling in love with Marc-Andre Bergeron’s shot from the point. There are so many ways to score goals when you have defensemen that can shoot the puck…deflections, screens, rebounds, not to mention they can just go in, as happened in Saturday’s opener.
• James Sheppard is really starting to look like a hockey player. He is so much more noticeable on the ice, and he seems so much more confident this season.
• Possible injury issues already. F Pierre-Marc Bouchard is having back issues and has been flown back to the Twin Cities to rest. The Wild will for sure be without him for the final two games of the road trip. F Owen Nolan left in the 1st with some sort of lower body injury, prompting the Wild to call up Cal Clutterbuck from Houston. If these are lingering injuries, it could mean trouble for the Wild.

Next on the Docket – Wild @ Panthers – Thurs 10-16-08
The Wild should never lose to the Florida Panthers. Wild 3 Panthers 1

Wild @ Thrashers - 03-07-08 - A View from the Couch
Watched alot of hockey Friday. MN State High School Tourney Class A in the afternoon, and Class AA, Wild, and Bulldogs at nite. Since I don't have a favorite in the HS tourney, and both my teams lost in the evening, it was kind of exhausting. I could take a break from hockey. But, can't miss the state finals tomorrow...

Wild lose 3-2 in a shootout. Finally got a couple goals on the PP (Rolston and Burns). Should have been a regulation win tho. Backstrom gave up the tying goal with less than a minute to play with Atlanta's goalie pulled. Pretty frustrating, but we did pick up a point. Mark Parrish was a healthy scratch. This after saying on KFAN's PA and Dubay that he hasn't changed his work ethic at all. Hopefully he responds the way Skoula did.

Bulldogs lost to UMTC 4-1. FFx4 through most of that one.

MSHSL State Tournament
The MN High School state finals are set. In Class A, it's Marshall School of Duluth v. St. Thomas Academy. Class AA is Edina v. Hill Murray. Friday's Class AA semifinals were great. Edina beat Benilde St. Margarets in OT, and Hill Murray knocked off the previously unbeaten Roseau. They really dominated the favorite Roseau. Should be a good championship tonite.

For you out-of-towners, you should venture over to b2 networks and watch the  AA championship tonite. It'll cost you $10 but the HS Hockey State tournament here is really a big deal. It's like the equivalent of HS Football in Texas. Fun times. Championship starts at 7 PM.

Fight to Hang the 1st Banner
Calgary lost to Nashville in a shootout as well, so they only get 1 point and are tied with the Wild for the NW lead. Calgary still has a game in hand tho. Colorado and Vancouver were off tonite. Colorado is 2 points behind us and Vancouver is 4 points for the final playoff spot. And they also have 2 games in hand.

Next on the Docket - Sharks @ Wild - Sun 3-9-08
Back home to play a really good team. Last time we played the Sharks at home was the infamous Skoula blunder (I know, narrow it down a little). Only remedy I know for hockey burnout is winning Wild hockey, so I think this is the game we show up for and win. Wild 4 Sharks 2