Minnesota Wild (30-21-7) 67pts 4th in the Central
2.34 Goals For (25th)
2.43 Goals Against (10th)
18.2% Power Play (16th)
80.4% Penalty Kill (20th)
Top 5 Scorers:
1. #29 Jason Pominville ~ 22G 17A = 39pts
2. #11 Zach Parise ~ 18G 17A = 35pts
3. #20 Ryan Suter ~ 6G 27A = 33pts
4. #64 Mikael Granlund ~ 5G 23A = 28pts
5. #22 Nino Niederreiter ~ 10G 17A = 27pts
Top 3 PIM's:
1. #4 Clayton Stoner ~ 69 PIM's
2. #24 Matt Cooke ~ 50 PIM's
3. #39 Nate Prosser ~ 35 PIM's
Top Goaltenders:
1. #37 Josh Harding (18-7-3) 1.65GAA .933%SP 3SO
2. #35 Darcy Kuemper (7-3-2) 2.50GAA .918%SP 1SO
3. #32 Niklas Backstrom (5-11-2) 3.02GAA .899%SP
Vs.
Nashville Predators (25-23-9) 59pts 7th in the Central
2.47 Goals For (22nd)
2.90 Goals Against (21st)
20.5% Power Play (7th)
79.8% Penalty Kill (25th)
Top 5 Scorers:
1. #11 David Legwand ~ 10G 29A = 39pts
2. #6 Shea Weber ~ 15G 23A = 38pts
3. #15 Craig Smith ~ 16G 18A = 34pts
4. #12 Mike Fisher ~ 15G 14A = 29pts
5. #27 Partic Hornqvist ~ 10G 19A = 29pts
Top 3 PIM's:
1. #16 Rich Clune ~ 96 PIM's
2. #24 Eric Nystrom ~ 49 PIM's
3. #12 Mike Fisher ~ 40 PIM's
Top Goaltenders:
1. #30 Carter Hutton (13-8-3) 2.82GAA .906%SP
2. #35 Pekka Rinne (4-4-1) 2.31GAA .917%SP
3. #40 Devan Dubnyk (0-1-1) 4.35GAA .850%SP
4. #39 Marek Mazanek (8-10-4) 2.80GAA .902%SP 2SO
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DISCLAIMER: If you don't like debates over gender roles and gender stereotypes, today's article is not for you. Enjoy the stats and move on. You have been warned.
As a hockey fan and blogger, who just happens to be female, there's nothing that I hate more than feeling that I'm being pandered to. Simply because I lack the Y chromosome does not mean I need a special night at a hockey game. The few times I do get to attend a game, my husband and I will be talking about the game in depth. Every once in a while, you'll see the random man look at us and give me the look that says "how do you know what you're talking about?" Well let me tell you, some of the conversations between guys at a hockey game about the game at hand sometimes leave a lot to be desired. Just because you are male, does not automatically mean you know everything about hockey and sports in general.
Well tonight, the Minnesota Wild decided to do a second ladies' night. Really? Wasn't having one already one too many? I managed to look at the scheduled events: pre-game reception, a chalk talk with Wes Walz, Club Level seats, drinks during the intermissions, a gift bag (which I'll get to later), and a chance to go on the ice after the game (which I'll also get to later). You get all of this for $99. The only redeeming item in this event is the chalk talk. Personally, I can't wait to see the event pictures of a bunch of trussed up puckbunnies. Now, let's talk about those gift bags. Instead of a bunch of cool Wild merchandise and maybe a pass for a buy one-get one ticket offer, you get a bag of salon products from Aveda. This only reinforces gender roles and stereotypes, in that we as mere women can be placated with a bunch of hair care products. I know when I got to a hockey game, the last think I would expect to get there would be some shampoo and hairspray. Oh, they do get some sort of special edition Wild scarf, although I don't know if they're talking about a practical winter scarf or some frou-frou scarf that we ladies do wear as an accessory with a shirt or sweater. Beyond that, the gift bag is pretty worthless. And then there's the post-game even on the ice. I have to wonder if the ladies will be there in their heels or practical shoes. If they truly are a bunch of puckbunnies, I'm guessing the former. And if it is a bunch of puckbunnies, I feel bad for the serious hockey fan that is female who happens to be sitting near them tonight. I can already hear the ridiculous conversation.
There truly is absolutely no need for a ladies' night. All a team needs to do is to treat all fans, regardless of chromosomes and body parts, as fans and to treat them well. To treat the fans well, the Wild need to produce on the ice. Also, if the Minnesota Wild truly cared about their fans, they would take a look at ticket and concession prices. For your average middle class family of four, they may only put out that kind of money once or twice a year. Families simply cannot afford to go out to watch the Wild (or any professional hockey team) any moreon a regular basis. It is very, very rare that we purchase food or beverage at a game. When it comes to beverage, it's a pop and not alcohol. What they charge for beer, and horrible beer at that, should be considered a criminal offense. Merchandise prices aren't much better. You reduce some of those costs, and it will be fan night every night.
Now, there are some special event nights that are great PR for a team. Military appreciation nights are great and well deserved. Usually, those tend to be combined with a Defending the Blue Line fundraiser. Military families, especially those of low ranking enlisted men and women, definitely need help with paying for their children's hockey fees and equipment. Plus, when parents get deployed, getting families into a game before or after deployment is a great way to provide some fun family time. Now if tonight's ladies' night was a Hockey Moms (and/or Dads) Night, I'd be much happier. Parents of young hockey players have to sacrifice quite a bit of money and time so their kid/s can play hockey. The other special night would be a Youth Hockey Night. Having affordable tickets for youth players and special events for kids is great PR. See, absolutely no need for a ladies' night.
Ladies nights are just as bad as the pink hockey jerseys that are marketed to women. I cringe everytime I see a grown woman wearing one of those travesties at a game. So Minnesota Wild and sports in general, just treat me as a fan. Don't talk down to me or give me an Aveda gift bag. Give me a good game on the ice and I'll be happy. I am a hockey fan who just happens to be a female, not a female hockey fan. If you can't notice the difference between the two, there's simply no hope for you.
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