I have looked forward to it, every year since 2007 when the first Hockey Day in Minnesota debuted in the bitterly cold winter setting of Baudette, Minnesota right along the U.S. / Canadian border. It was fitting the first one was so close to Canada, where the day got its inspiration from Hockey Day in Canada which has also become an 20+ hour marathon of hockey coverage on CBC, the same group that brings you Hockey Night in Canada. I can still remember watching Lake of the Woods play St. Paul Johnson on frozen Baudette Bay. The hometown Lakers prevailed 5-3 over the city boys from St. Paul but it was a memory I’m sure anyone who was apart of it will never forget. The NHL has embraced the novelty and marketing possibilities of an annual outdoor game with its Winter Classic, but in my opinion, Minnesota doesn’t need it. We know we appreciate the game, and we know that many of us started playing on outdoor rinks or frozen ponds / lakes before you hit the indoor ice. You learned how to skate, which was a slow practice in trial and error with awkward strides as well quite few tumbles to the ice too. Pretty soon you were skating and carrying a hockey stick and while the puck doesn’t move quite the same on the uneven ice you find on most outdoor communities sheets, you also honed your game and became a better skater in the process. So it would only be fitting to keep celebrating this tradition of outdoor hockey; unfortunately the weather conspired to alter this year’s celebration. The incredibly mild 1st half of winter, where temperatures were in the low to mid 50’s made solid ice covering local ponds and lakes a rare find. Thus, despite the recent arctic cold spell, 2012’s Wells Fargo Hockey Day in Minnesota was forced to come indoors at the Pagel Ice Center instead of being played on Lake Minnetonka as originally planned. Unfortunately for myself, personal schedules had already decided to alter my yearly routine. A family function will prevent me from covering Hockey Day in Minnesota as I have done since 2007. I always made a conscious effort to cover the entire day from start to finish; no matter how tired I was. I hope you accept the most sincere apologies from the State of Hockey News, as I said before I look forward to this as much anyone.
Will Hockey Day in Minnesota be as good with all of the games played indoors?
Time will tell whether the game brings out as many viewers with games played indoors versus its normal backdrop of outdoor hockey but I’m sure there will still be lots of great hockey to watch. Afterall the boys games promises to have perhaps the best high school match up in Hockey Day in Minnesota-history as #1 Duluth East faces #2 Minnetonka for the 2nd time this season. The Greyhounds dominated Minnetonka in their first game, 6-2. Will the Skippers take round two or will Duluth East further solidify its #1 spot? The Wild are hoping for something very different. The Wild are hoping for something they haven’t done in 10 road games; to win as they’ve been 0-8-2 over that stretch. Minnesota General Manager Chuck Fletcher tried to explain it to the NHL’s Adam Kimmelman yesterday right here. What do you think? Do you buy it or is he just trying to blow sunshine up our keisters? He makes several valid points but I think the fans are tired of the excuses. The team won a lot of games being without key forwards and defenseman. Some of these guys have returned and done little at all and it could even be argued the team has played worse upon their return. So will the Wild find a way to win in Toronto or will the Leafs keep the State of Hockey winless going into Hockey Day in Minnesota?
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1st Period Thoughts: After a nice first minute where Cal Clutterbuck used his speed to keep the puck deep in the Toronto zone that culminated in a shooting opportunity for Casey Wellman the Leafs would light the lamp early as they dumped the puck down low into Minnesota’s zone. Niklas Backstrom tried to leave it for his defense and the Leafs’ Nazem Kadri tracked down the biscuit as Mike Lundin lazily pursued, and Kadri handed it off to Joffrey Lupul who skated towards the slot and threaded a cross-ice pass to Kadri and he buried the chance, 1-0 Toronto. It was apathetic defense by Mike Lundin and a weak backcheck by Warren Peters that led to the goal. Minnesota tried to answer back with its 4th line and some hard work by Carson McMillan allowed him to find a little space where he fired a shot on goal that was blocked away by Jonas Gustavsson. The Wild were sleepwalking to start the game, and the Leafs would strike again. Former Colorado College Tiger Joey Crabb motored around Jared Spurgeon and he swept a puck around a sprawling Niklas Backstrom as the puck slid underneath the goal as it was pushed up off its moorings by Spurgeon. There was a review, but it clearly showed it was a good goal. Again, it was simply a matter that Joey Crabb wanted it more and had the speed to put his shoulder down and fly by Spurgeon that gave Toronto a 2-0 lead. During the review, Wild Head Coach Mike Yeo was giving some direct instruction to the forwards who seemed annoyed with what he had to say. You’d think being down 2-0 so quickly, would be enough to motivate them. Minnesota tried to stop the pain with its 3rd line, and Nick Johnson, Darroll Powe, and Kyle Brodziak and all they were able to do was create a shooting opportunity that was partially deflected and pop up into the air. Hardly the kind of answer this team needed. The Wild got a better effort from its 4th line of David McIntyre, Carson McMillan and Brad Staubitz who battled a little harder and even as Toronto tried to go on the attack they were stood up and kept at bey. A few minutes later, the 3rd line finally started to show some signs of life as Nick Johnson ran over the Leaf’s Dion Phaneuf as he tired to line him up for a big hit only to be sent flying the forechecking Wild forward. Minnesota got its forecheck going and Kyle Brodziak wristed a shot on goal that was stopped by Gustavsson but as Johnson and Powe tried to jam home a rebound but the Leafs’ goalie would lay out to cover it. The 3rd line continued to cause the Leafs some problems as Nick Johnson won a battle along the boards with two Leafs near him and the puck made its way to Brodziak who snapped off a quick shot that was held onto by ‘the Monster’. The Wild would get bottled up a bit in its own zone as the Wild’s top line was guilty of floating too much near its own blueline instead of going back to battle for the puck; but they’d regroup and Devin Setoguchi made a nice power move towards the goal that drew a Gustavsson save but unfortunately the puck was out of the reach of Dany Heatley. Minnesota had an ‘ok’ at best, 2nd half of the period but they had already dug themselves a huge hole when you consider how much this team struggles to score. The Wild were out shooting the Leafs 9-8, but a 2-0 lead might as well be 4-0 against an offense-less team like Minnesota.
2nd Period Thoughts: The Wild dodged a bullet early in the period as Phil Kessel turned on the jets to race around Clayton Stoner for a chance that was steered aside by Backstrom and fortunately Minnesota’s defense was able to keep Lupul off the puck as he looked for a rebound chance. Minnesota’s top line would try to answer back but all they could manage was a weak wrist shot by Setoguchi that was snagged out of the air by Gustavsson. Toronto went back on the attack and the hustle of Clarke McArthur drew a hooking penalty on Warren Peters. The Leafs’ power play moved the puck quickly and accurately setting up a few nice one-timer opportunities as the Wild’s penalty killers were scrambling about the Minnesota zone. The Wild tried to counter attack as Cal Clutterbuck tried to race around a Leafs defender but didn’t have the legs to get around him and he tried a vain centering pass that went to no one. The Leafs countered on their own and Kadri set up Matt Lombardi for a quick shot that he snapped wide of the mark. Minnesota would escape the Leafs’ power play unscathed, but after a minute of being at full strength they’d go a man short again as Marek Zidlicky tripped up Mikail Grabovski. Toronto set up Phaneuf for a big blast from the point that was stopped by Backstrom and a flurry near the top of the crease resulted in the puck being shoveled just wide. Minnesota would have another nice shorthanded opportunity thanks to some good hustle by Brodziak who sort of directed a shot on goal that would re-direct up high that was batted aside by Gustavsson. The Wild’s penalty killers again kept Minnesota in the game down just by two goals, but nearly back to back efforts is a great way to kill the legs of your PK unit. The Wild’s top line would draw a penalty as Warren Peters was hooked by Wisconsin-native Dave Steckel for their first power play of the evening. The Wild’s power play struggled to get set up in the Toronto zone, but when they finally did it was Zidlicky setting up Heatley for a one-timer that was gloved readily by Gustavsson. That would be the only shot the power play would create, and Minnesota tried to get something going 5-on-5. Whenever the Wild looked poised to get something set up, they’d misplay the puck and the opportunity would disappear. Minnesota would go back on the penalty kill as Clayton Stoner was tagged with a high sticking call, and if you thought the Wild were not trying to lose hard enough they’d quickly take an additional penalty as Cal Clutterbuck was sent to the sin bin for to give Toronto a long 5-on-3 power play. Maple Leafs Head Coach Ron Wilson wanted to talk it over with his club, since like everyone else watching this game could sense a chance to bury the Wild. Toronto had a good chance early as Phaneuf dished it over to Kessel who stepped into slap shot that just tricked over the shoulder of Backstrom and he was bailed out by an alert Greg Zanon who pushed it back underneath his goaltender. The Leafs just kept moving the puck quickly and firing it whenver they had the chance. As Stoner’s penalty expired Toronto worked the puck near the crease and Kessel banged it up and over a sprawling Backstrom who found himself under siege in his crease. 3-0 Toronto. After the Toronto power play expired you wouldn’t know it as the Maple Leafs kept Minnesota in its own zone. Minnesota finally created a little bit offensively as the top line of Cullen, Setoguchi and Heatley worked the puck down low and then carried the puck to the crease for a few close in chances but they weren’t able to get that final tap in when they needed it and close was as good as it ever got. Minnesota would earn another penalty for a hit on McArthur near the Toronto bench with just 20 seconds left in the period. The Wild would get a bit of a reprieve in the closing seconds as the hustle of Matt Cullen on the penalty kill drew a hooking penalty on Toronto’s Carl Gunarsson but still Minnesota was going into the 2nd intermission trailing 3-0. No matter how you slice it, the Wild were not showing a lot of pulse at this point.
3rd Period Thoughts: The Wild would waste little time making the game a little better for the Maple Leafs as Joffrey Lupul swung a pass towards the slot and Grabovski turned his skate and the pass went off it and it eluded Backstrom to make it 4-0 as the Wild had to deal with a Toronto power play as Brodziak had an extra minor for unsportsmanlike conduct. The goal was immediately waived off, while Grabovski protested and the play was reviewed. The replay clearly showed that Grabovski did not kick at the puck but turned his skate and the call on the ice was overturned and now the Wild trailed by four. The Leafs were content to burn the clock a bit on the power play, and Minnesota was ok with waiting for Toronto to attack. Minnesota would have another golden chance shorthanded as an errant pass by Gustavsson who was probably a little bored at this point tried to be fancy with the puck and it was stolen by Warren Peters who swung a backhand that hit the side of the goal on what was an open net. Toronto as a team looked bored and unconcerned as they knew they had this game completely in their control and that Minnesota lacked the fortitude to fight back. Minnesota was trying a little bit harder, and they were able to create a few chances as Peters set up Clutterbuck for a bang-bang chance that was blocked aside by Gustavsson. A few minutes later, the Wild’s top line really started to swarm to end Gustavsson’s shut out bid, as Heatley, Setoguchi and Cullen were creating a bunch of great in-close opportunities but nothing that was finding the twine. Even Zidlicky had a low lying wrist shot kicked aside by the Leafs goaltender, but the team couldn’t finish. Minnesota would finally get on the scoreboard as Nick Johnson, fired a sharp angle shot that somehow snuck through between the leg pad and an infinitesimally small gap between the pads and the left post to make it 4-1 Wild. After a review, Johnson’s goal was confirmed although there was zero celebration on the Wild bench as Mike Yeo had an icy stare in full effect. The closing minutes would evaporate uneventfully as the Wild quietly fell 4-1.
Niklas Backstrom was ok, making 29 saves in the loss but those early goals he gave up were a bit suspect. I thought early on he was struggling to see the puck. Defensively, it was a team let down as opposed to just the blueline as they were not moving well in their own zone. Mike Lundin was skittish and hesitant with the puck, and the Maple Leafs first tally was his lack of hustle that allowed Lupul to skate the puck to the center of the ice with no opposition whatsoever.
Offensively, the Wild were absolutely pathetic. Just 21 shots on goal, and just one shot on the power play. Minnesota tried pinching with its defense to attempt to get some offense from its blueline, but it was more or less unnoticeable in my opinion. The 1st line had a few shifts were it created a little havoc but its too little, too late. The sad truth is the fact the Wild have scored just 11 goals in their last 11 road games. Being on a 11-game road losing streak should come as no surprise. I know they’re banged up, I know they’re missing some people but who was scoring when this team was winning more often than not? Kyle Brodziak, Cal Clutterbuck, and Matt Cullen; all players who are still in the lineup. Joey Crabb managed to score a goal, how can’t guy like Heatley or Setoguchi finish when an AHL / NHL journeyman can finish effectively? Watching those two glide around the ice throughout much of the first two periods doesn’t make it any better.
There is an old axiom in coaching that states if you’re going to lose, lose on the road. Well the Wild have done that and then some; going from having one of the best road records to absolutely abysmal month of hockey where they now have lost 11 straight away from St. Paul. The Wild may be feeling fatigued from all the travel, but what they will find out soon enough that if they play the way they did tonight in the Xcel Energy Center they’re going to be hearing boo’s, lots and lots of boo’s.
Wild Notes:
~ Wild roster was as follows: Dany Heatley, Devin Setoguchi, Casey Wellman, Matt Cullen, Warren Peters, David McIntyre, Brad Staubitz, Cal Clutterbuck, Carson McMillan, Nick Johnson, Kyle Brodziak, Darroll Powe, Nick Schultz, Greg Zanon, Marek Zidlicky, Clayton Stoner, Mike Lundin and Jared Spurgeon. Josh Harding backed up Niklas Backstrom. Justin Falk was the lone healthy scratch.
~ The 3 Stars of the Game were: 1st Star Joffrey Lupul, 2nd Star Jonas Gustavsson, 3rd Star Nazem Kadri
~ Attendance was 19,421 at Air Canada Centre.
Wild Prospect Report:
Everett’s Josh Caron
G – Johan Gustafsson (Lulea HF, Eliteserien) ~ Gustafsson was the rock for the Gold Medal winning Team Sweden at this year’s U-20 World Junior Championships. He was a perfect 5-0, and delivered some huge saves late in the Gold medal game before Mika Zibanejad buried the game winner. Gustafsson is also playing very strong in the Swedish Eliteserien, leading Lulea between the pipes with a 20 wins and 4 shutouts to go along with an impressive 1.98 goals against average and a .919% save percentage.
LW – Brett Bulmer (Kelowna, WHL) ~ The workhorse from Prince George, British Columbia continues to pile up the points for the Rockets. On Sunday, Bulmer added an assist in the Rockets 3-2 shootout victory over the Everett Silvertips. The 6’3″, 190lbs forward has 19 goals, 36 points along with 56 PIM’s and is a +5 in 28 games this season.
D – Josh Caron (Everett, WHL) ~ Caron caught the Wild’s eye with his toughness as well as his willingness to stand up for his teammates and he’s really being tested playing for the struggling Silvertips this season after being traded from one of the better team’s in the WHL, the Kamloops Blazers. Caron went from being +9 to now being -17 with Everett to go along with 50 PIM’s and no points in 16 games with the Washington-based club.
High School Boys Hockey Report:
Grand Rapids 3, Cloquet/Esko/Carlton 2
In a major 7AA showdown, the Thunderhawks defeated section-mate Cloquet in a tight defensive battle Tuesday night. Patrick Flaherty had 19 saves for Grand Rapids, while Avery Peterson, Travis Underwood and Nick Koerbitz brought the goals the Thunderhawks needed to earn a victory. Grand Rapids is hoping this will push the Thunderhawks into consideration for a seed in the Section 7AA playoffs, but having lost to section rival Elk River earlier in the season and the Elks having lost to Andover who really is coming on strong it may be too little too late. However, the victory will keep the 11-5 Thunderhawks fresh on the minds of the decision makers. As for the Lumberjacks, even though they are 12-5 this loss could really be a dagger for their hopes of also grabbing ahold of a seed in the 7AA playoffs.
Breck 3, Moorhead 5
As an Elk River alum, I can tell you just how much a thorn in your side Moorhead can be after witnessing them year after year in the mid-to-late 90’s defeat Elk River in the Section 8AA Finals. The Spuds were a Western Minnesota hockey powerhouse that always seemed to be able to kick out quality talent from Jason Blake, to Ryan Kraft, to Chris VandeVelde, to Brian Lee and of course the Wild’s own Matt Cullen. Through it all has been Moorhead Head Coach Dave Morinville, and you’d think at some point the Spuds would stop surprising people. Yet when Moorhead came down to visit #1 Class A power Breck many expected the Spuds to get torched. Breck simply has too much firepower for Moorhead right? Wrong. The Spuds blitzed Breck for 4 goals in the 1st period; as Cody Rahman, Bryant Christian, Logan Ness and Thomas Carey buried the biscuit to put the Mustangs on their heels. Breck tried to rally back as their star Grant Opperman (ranked 162nd by NHL’s Central Scouting Dept.) scored twice and Wesley Iverson added another in the 2nd to make it a one-goal game but it wasn’t enough. The Spuds would put the game late in the 3rd when Tony Uglem fired a shot that rang off the pipe and in to seal a 5-3 victory. Moorhead’s stocky and athletic goaltender Michael Bitzer had 26 saves in the win.
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