Coyotes @ Wild - Thurs 11-13 - View from the Recliner
Remember 2 weeks ago when the Wild went 0 for 10 or something like that on the PP v. Montreal? Tonite was the inverse if that game. The Wild scored all 4 of their goals on the PP including 2 5-on-3 nasty one-timer goals by D Marek Zidlicky. Those goals were Zidlicky's 1st MN Wild goals. Andrew Brunette and Eric Belanger scored the other goals for the Wild and Wild G Niklas Backstrom was solid again en-route to a shutout; 4-0 final.
The Wizzy pretty much dominated the game from the start and did not let the 'yotes in the game. Apparently the long layoff and line-shuffling that coach Jacques did paid off. Although I did find myself grumbling a few times when they didn't finish scoring opportunities. I was a little worried early that it could be one of those games we dominate but lose because we lack finishing ability. But the powerplay clicked and Phoenix kept putting us on the powerplay.
Brent Burns returned to the lineup at forward and Owen Nolan played the entire game. Nolan had a very strong game. He had a ton of chances and I hope he cab stay healthy for a while to give the Wild some scoring depth.
Andrew Brunette quietly has 6 goals already. 30 goals from Bruno this season would be huge.
Wild take on the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday nite at the X. It's a game they should win and hopefully we'll see them string a few wins together and build some momentum going into December.
Showing posts with label Phoenix Coyotes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phoenix Coyotes. Show all posts
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
2-fer-1 in St. Paul
Coyotes @ Wild - 1-13-08 - A View from Farther Down in Section 216
Delayed recap of Sunday's Coyotes/Wild game at Xcel. Dad and I were able to score tickets in section 216 in row 1. Row 1 in the upper level sides are different. It's very nice that there's no one in front of you, but right in front of you instead of another row of fans is a short wall. It kind of gives you an enclosed feeling that was sort of uncomfortable. That said, the sight lines were great!
Just a quick recap on this one. The 1st period was scoreless and wasn't too exciting. The Wild jumped out to a nice 3-0 lead in the 2nd, and added another in the 3rd. Goals from Demitra, Sheppard, Belanger, and Gaborik (on a beauty criss-cross move with Demo). Josh Harding played another great game, coming within 5 minutes of a shutout for a 4-1 final. Keep it up kid.
Mikko Koivu
Usually we hear the checking line announced in the starting lineup. On Sunday we surprisingly heard Rolston, Parrish, and Koivu. I'm guessing that was because it was Mikko's first home game since he's been back, and Jacques wanted him to hear the crowd. He got a nice ovation, and he had a very nice game. His stickhandling was truly fun to watch, as he'd maneuver between Coyotes defenders, keeping the puck and setting up a play. Welcome back Mikko.
Delayed recap of Sunday's Coyotes/Wild game at Xcel. Dad and I were able to score tickets in section 216 in row 1. Row 1 in the upper level sides are different. It's very nice that there's no one in front of you, but right in front of you instead of another row of fans is a short wall. It kind of gives you an enclosed feeling that was sort of uncomfortable. That said, the sight lines were great!
Just a quick recap on this one. The 1st period was scoreless and wasn't too exciting. The Wild jumped out to a nice 3-0 lead in the 2nd, and added another in the 3rd. Goals from Demitra, Sheppard, Belanger, and Gaborik (on a beauty criss-cross move with Demo). Josh Harding played another great game, coming within 5 minutes of a shutout for a 4-1 final. Keep it up kid.Mikko Koivu
Usually we hear the checking line announced in the starting lineup. On Sunday we surprisingly heard Rolston, Parrish, and Koivu. I'm guessing that was because it was Mikko's first home game since he's been back, and Jacques wanted him to hear the crowd. He got a nice ovation, and he had a very nice game. His stickhandling was truly fun to watch, as he'd maneuver between Coyotes defenders, keeping the puck and setting up a play. Welcome back Mikko.
Ilya Bryzgalov
I know nothing of the personality of Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov. However, I am going to go ahead and call him out as a dink. Only because during TV timeouts when the ice guys came out to clean his crease, he would skate back and forth between the boards. When he got to the crease, he didn't just go around and let the ice guys go about their business. He skated right through the crease, and the ice guys had to stop their scraping until he went through. He went through at least 3 times each TV time out. He might be a nice guy, and goalies are weird with their superstitions, but it angered me. And Dad said if it were him cleaning the ice he'd stick him with the scoop shovel. =)
Midwest Sports Show
The reason Dad and I went to this game was Dad wanted to go to the Sports Show. I, being the ultimate two-fer-one opportunity seizer, suggested we do it Sunday and try to get tix for the Wild game. While I do enjoy going to the Sports Show for the purpose of getting excited for summer, camping, fishing, and the rest, the Sports Show seems to be losing it's lustre. I remember when I was a kid there were many more booths from vacation spots in MN. Now there are mostly booths from Canada resorts. Just seems to be different. I'm never going to be able to afford the elaborate campers and boats on display, so for me it's all about the vibe. We only spent about an hour at the show...but that gave us time to eat at the Iron Range Grill before the game!
Next on the Docket - Wild v. Calgary Flames Wed 1-16-08
Calgary just signed Old Man Curtis Joseph to back up Mikka Kipprosof. That won't have an impact on the outcome of this game, however. I expect Kipprosof to play, and the Wild struggle against him and the Flames. I'm going with Calgary. Flames 3 Wild 1
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Nice Bounceback
A very nice answer from the Wizzy tonite. They get back into the win column with a 3-2 win over Wayne Gretzky's Coyotes. After getting dominated by two of the better teams in the league, they get a win over a team that isn't great, but is up and coming. A very big win.
Standings Watch
I know we're not quite halfway through the season, but I'm watching the standings already. A loss tonight would have left us in the 7th spot in the West, with Calgary only a point behind. But with the win, we're back to 1st in the Northwest, and 3rd in the West. It's going to be a long 2nd half if this is how it goes every night.
Most Important Thing(s)
Better goaltending. The Wild were still shaky defensively, giving up 48 shots and taking too many penalties. Goodness that's alot of shots. But Backstrom was strong. He must have had some extra yoga or something, because he came up big.
The Wild also played with the lead tonight, which is important for this team. Whenever we get behind I don't have alot of confidence we're going to come back. Playing with the lead makes for a much more enjoyable Wizzy watching experience.
The power play was huge tonight. All three goals came on the power play. The difference tonight compared to last night was the Wild scored on their power plays instead of giving up shorthanded chances and goals.
Jots
Standings Watch
I know we're not quite halfway through the season, but I'm watching the standings already. A loss tonight would have left us in the 7th spot in the West, with Calgary only a point behind. But with the win, we're back to 1st in the Northwest, and 3rd in the West. It's going to be a long 2nd half if this is how it goes every night.
Most Important Thing(s)
Better goaltending. The Wild were still shaky defensively, giving up 48 shots and taking too many penalties. Goodness that's alot of shots. But Backstrom was strong. He must have had some extra yoga or something, because he came up big.
The Wild also played with the lead tonight, which is important for this team. Whenever we get behind I don't have alot of confidence we're going to come back. Playing with the lead makes for a much more enjoyable Wizzy watching experience.
The power play was huge tonight. All three goals came on the power play. The difference tonight compared to last night was the Wild scored on their power plays instead of giving up shorthanded chances and goals.
Jots
- Mark Parrish got his 200th goal tonight. That must have been why he's been in a scoring drought recently - droughts always come before milestone goals.
- Gabby had some nice chanes in the 3rd. That's good to see since he has been shut down since the 5-goal game.
- The team must have had "shoot the puck on net" drilled into their heads before the game. They really looked like they were actually trying to shoot. Belanger's goal was from behind the goal line, and Pav shot when usually he passes. Good to see.
- Suddenly the Wild's power play is 11th in the league and 4th in the West at 19%. Who knew?
- Does anyone actually like the Kevin Gorg v. Mike Greenlay faceoff bit on FSN?
Next on the Docket - Saturday 12-29 v. Edmonton @ Xcel
Perverbial 4-point division game. Look for a grinding game in this one; I like the Wild in a low-scoring tilt.
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