Injuries can force a team to resort to desperate measures. I certainly became all too familiar with that during this football season where I saw the JV football season nixed because so many of them were being forced to move up and play on the varsity squad. The lack of depth hurt us a lot, where we were regularly playing freshman on our scout team. No offense to those freshman, but it was tough to give our varsity team quality repetitions using guys that were 50 lbs or more lighter than any of the kids they’d be facing on Friday night. Honestly, as a coach it is kind of scary to know that you’re one injury from a freshman playing on your varsity team. The Anaheim Ducks certainly can relate. Quack, quack, quack, I am sorry for trying to re-live the origin of the Anaheim Ducks but I can’t help it. No, they’re not coached by Gordon Bombay or have a quirky and incredibly diverse team filled with players like Phillip Banks, Fulton Reed, Charlie Conway, Greg Goldberg or Luis “Cowboy” Mendoza, Connie Moreau and who could forget Russ Tyler‘s “knucklepuck” shot. However if you take a look at the Ducks roster you could be forgiven for wondering if they’re going to have to call up Lester Averman next. The Ducks have been so ravaged by injuries they’ve had to go fairly deep into their farm system to fill out their roster. They’ve been forced to stick with youngsters like Cam Fowler, Kyle Palmieri, Luca Sbisa and Nick Bonnino perhaps before they’re ready but sometimes adversity can bring out the best in a team. Everyone rallies around one another and you find that you have an inner strength that can help you overcome the odds. Right now that could definitely describe the way leaders like Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan, Corey Perry, Lubomir Visnovsky, Teemu Selanne and Jonas Hiller have played as of late.
Minnesota has had its fair share of injuries this season and in some ways compelled them to play a more sensible style of game and the Wild have been far more cohesive as a unit. Yet that is not to say they are without troubles, the team is still trying to string together more consistent full-game efforts. Even with players from the farm like Cody Almond, Colton Gillies, Casey Wellman, Matt Kassian, Marco Scandella and Robbie Earl all having made cameo appearances this season it makes you wonder if the Wild are going to perhaps have to give Team Iceland stud (from D2: A Mighty Ducks sequel) Gunnar Stahl a callup. Then again maybe not. So which M*A*S*H unit team will resemble a team with resilience or one that looks as good in a dress as Corporal Klinger? We shall see tonight.
The Wild had the first quality scoring chance of the game as Antti Miettinen made a strong move into the high slot where he pulled the trigger on a wrist shot that hit Curtis McElhinney square in the crest for an easy save. Minnesota was moving very well and a few moments later it was Matt Cullen carrying the puck in before dropping it back to Cal Clutterbuck who wrang a wrist shot off the post and then followed up by Cullen who flung a shot up and over the goal. The Ducks tried to answer back and it was Niklas Backstrom stonewalling a point-blank range scoring chance by Ryan Carter. Anaheim continued to swarm, as Moorhead, Minnesota’s Jason Blake found some space and he rifled a wrist shot that was steered aside by Backstrom. A minute or two later Minnesota would storm right back into the Ducks’ zone and Cullen blasted a slapper that was stopped by McElhinney, and Clutterbuck followed it up with a rebound chance that was blocked aside by the Ducks’ goalie. The pace of the game thus far was pretty impressive as both teams seemed eager to trade rushes with one another which may not have been a style that either head coach would like to see. The new 2nd line of John Madden, Eric Nystrom and Martin Havlat would create some offense off the rush as long outlet pass by Greg Zanon caromed off the boards to Madden who was behind the defense and he hammered a slap shot that was steered to the corner by McElhinney. The Wild continued to apply pressure as Minnesota’s top line of Mikko Koivu, Andrew Brunette and Antti Miettinen where they won a battle along the boards where Brunette tried to stuff it inside the right post but McElhinney held it well. Minnesota was playing solid smart hockey and their persistence and hustle would pay off as Martin Havlat drew a hooking penalty on Luca Sbisa. The Ducks were challenging well initally on the man advantage where they struggled to get set up in the zone, nearly killing a minute off the man advantage just trying to enter the Anaheim zone. Once there the Wild passed the puck from the half wall back to the perimeter but did not have much success at creating an open shooting lane and finally settled for a shot from the point that was an easy save for McElhinney. The Wild came up empty on its first power play, but Minnesota would try to press the attack 5-on-5. Minnesota would get some nice play down low by its 2nd line as Matt Cullen made a pretty spin-a-rama pass from behind the goal that nearly resulted in a goal as Clutterbuck fired a snap shot that was stopped by the shoulder of McElhinney. Moments later the Wild’s 4th line even demonstrated some good forechecking pressure as Kyle Brodziak, Brad Staubitz and Robbie Earl battled well down low that resulted in a quick chance for Earl that didn’t miss by much. The crowd gave an appreciative cheer at the strong play of Minnesota as the final seconds counted down with both teams still tied at 0-0.
The Wild would have a nice start to the 2nd period as Mikko Koivu was set up in the high slot for a slapper that went up and over the Ducks’ goal and then followed it up with some nice puck control down low as Koivu attempted to set up a crashing Marek Zidlicky that just failed to click. The Ducks attempted to answer back as Marco Scandella took a big hit and then the puck would end up on the stick of Corey Perry waiting near the Wild crease only to be stopped by the outstretched leg of Backstrom. Brad Staubitz got the crowd cheering a bit as he leveled Wade Brookbank with a big hit near the Ducks’ bench. The Wild would end up taking a penalty as Saku Koivu flung a wrist shot that was stopped by Backstrom and the Ducks’ enforcer George Parros was hauled down by Zidlicky for an easy interference call. On the power play it was the Wild having the first quality scoring chance as John Madden forced a turnover and went on a 2-on-1 and it was Madden making a pretty move for a great set up of a wide open Mikko Koivu who missed a total gimme of a shot, and when you miss an opportunity like that its almost a given you’re going to pay the price. The Ducks counter attacked and after some pretty passing set up Teemu Selanne for the easy tap in to give Anaheim a 1-0 lead on the power play tally. Minnesota looked a little down but Martin Havlat looked like a man determined to right the wrong, and he’d take the puck down low into the Aneheim zone where he backhanded a sharp angle shot that went nearly parallel to the goal line and off the leg of McElhinney and across the goal line to tie the game at 1-1. A few moments later the Ducks tried to counter attack, the Wild’s defense showed some nastiness as Nick Schultz checked Selanne and he went careening into the boards that left him a bit worse for the wear. The Wild kept up the up-tempo play, as Antti Miettinen blasted a puck that was on its edge that hit McElhinney in the shoulder that gave up a rebound that Koivu tried to tap home but the Ducks goalie would hold on for the whistle. Anaheim would create some havoc with its top line of Jason Blake, Teemu Selanne who gave Minnesota fits as they’re quick turning style really had the Wild on its heels as the Ducks created a few scoring chances with superior quickness. A few minutes later Ryan Carter would dangle around Marco Scandella and he nearly managed to force a juicy rebound that was fortunately spirited away by Cam Barker. In a strange play, George Parros would initiate a fight with Brad Staubitz. Parros got off to a fast start as he threw a few right handed hooks while Staubitz tried to answer back with a few left hands of their own before the officials moved into send the two combatants to the penalty box with matching 5-minute majors for fighting. Shortly after the dual fighting majors the Wild would have a dangerously close opportunity as Mikko Koivu flung a wrist that struck the left post and out. Minnesota would have a terrific shift by its 2nd line of Madden, Havlat and Nystrom who worked well along the boards down low in the Anaheim zone and it was Havlat attempting to set up a play but his centering feed would bank off the side of the goal and to a defender instead to a waiting Eric Nystrom. The Wild continued to apply pressure with great puck possession as the top line of Koivu, Miettinen and Brunette cycled the puck setting up a backhand chance by Koivu. Anaheim would go to work with its top line and it looked like Perry might be able to establish a late scoring chance only to be foiled by the backcheck by Havlat. Minnesota had to feel pretty good at this point in the game, outshooting the Ducks 21 to 11 but still had to feel a little nervousness at still being tied at 1-1.
There was a cautiously aggressive start to the 3rd period as Andrew Brunette threaded a pass to Mikko Koivu who wasn’t able to calm the puck enough to get a shot on goal. The Wild were still showing good initiative as John Madden mad a nice move around Sbisa for an attempted wrap around as he was tripped up near the crease, and Havlat moved in to take the loose puck but was unable to get a shot off. Minnesota was hustling well, winning the battles for the puck along the boards and creating scoring chances through determination and grit. The Wild were pouncing on lazy passes as Miettinen stole a pass in the neutral zone that turned into a weak backhander by Koivu and he gathered up the loose biscuit and dished it to the high slot where Miettinen blasted a one-timer that was blocked to the corner by McElhinney. The Ducks seemed a little tired but they still have a few players that possessed great jump, one of them being Jason Blake who eluded Wild defenders with great speed but Minnesota was able to disrupt the passing lane preventing a scoring chance. A few moments later the Ducks had another great opportunity when Bobby Ryan made a great power move around Scandella and he fired a shot that was stopped by a nice save by Backstrom who was way out of his crease to make the stop. Minnesota would have a terrific chance late as Robbie Earl took advantage of some hard work along the boards by Eric Nystrom carring the puck down low and behind the goal before turning and firing a shot on goal that McElhinney stopped as Staubitz was working to jam a shot by him but he’d couldn’t cash in. The Ducks were doing an excellent job at blocking shots, so even when Minnesota was able to establish some good puck possession in the offensive zone very few shots were reaching McElhinney. The Wild were not as able to keep the shots from reaching Backstrom, but Minnesota was doing a good job at giving their goaltender a clear view of shots so he was able to make the save. Minnesota had good patience as they set up a chance for Marek Zidlicky that reached McElhinney but Nystrom just wasn’t able to get a stick on the rebound. The Ducks answered right back, peppering Backstrom with shots including two prime chances for Bobby Ryan but Backstrom was up to the task sprawling to deep the game tied at one apiece. The crowd gave an appreciative cheer at Backstrom who stopped two more shots in quick succession before Minnesota was finally able to clear the zone to alleviate the pressure. Minnesota was really on its heels, as the relentless Ducks attack tried to overwhelm the Wild with speed. The Wild were holding on, as they just didn’t seem to have the wheels to return the favor and the game would head into overtime.
In overtime, both teams seemed to be very passive. The Wild took a very slow and steady approach to leaving the zone, giving plenty of time to get the matchup they wanted. The patience did not yield much of a chance as a long range wrist shot was deflected up into the netting above the glass for a whistle. Both teams were giving some of their young players a chance in the overtime as Marco Scandella got rocked by a big shoulder by Bobby Ryan who was protecting the puck well before sliding a pass to Nick Bonino who attempted a wrap around that was stymied by Backstrom. Casey Wellman gave it a shot trying to motor around Sbisa who paid him back by helping him slide into the boards with a vicious crunch. Moments later the Wild would get the payoff as Marco Scandella took off and raced up the ice as led a rush, made a move around a defender for a heavy backhander that created a big rebound that Miettinen pounced upon that McElhinney stopped and the puck would bounce up and hit Miettinen in the shoulder and back into the net before finding the back of the twine. The goal was reviewed, but it was brief and clearly showed that Miettinen did not make any illegal contact and the Wild earned a huge 2-1 victory.
Niklas Backstrom was fantastic, making 27 saves in the victory. Especially in the 3rd period where the Wild were outshot 16 to 2, Backstrom was a rock between the pipes coming up with big saves as Minnesota seemed to be fading a bit at this point in the game. Minnesota’s defense did a fine job of keeping traffic from Backstrom’s crease. The defense again worked well at taking away the rebounds and escorting the puck out of the harmful areas on the ice. The Wild penalty kill did give up a goal, but they should’ve cashed in on what was likely its best shorthanded chance of the season. Justin Falk, Marco Scandella continue to improve and show excellent poise as well as the ability to make the all important first pass out of the defensive zone. Scandella’s rush in overtime was just a glimpse of his skill and mobility that could almost be forgiven for giving people shades of Brent Burns.
Offensively Minnesota carried the play throughout most of the first two periods, but just couldn’t finish on their opportunities. The Wild hit 3 posts tonight, but they are very lucky their inability to capitalize on those chances did not come back to haunt them. Martin Havlat and John Madden had another wonderful game, where they were creating offense and giving Minnesota variety in their attack. Havlat is starting to heat up and at this point they need him playing assertive because Mikko Koivu just seems to be in a real rut. The top line cycles well but Mikko Koivu-n-company need to find ways to create more shots because often times they just cycle the puck and not even manage to create even a mediocre shot on goal. Andrew Brunette is a player that needs to take his chances a bit more to shoot, as early in the game he passed up a few chances to dish it to teammates when he was in a much better scoring position on the ice. It also needs to be noted the Wild also got some offensive pressure from its 4th line of Robbie Earl, Kyle Brodziak and Brad Staubitz who showed excellent grit and hustle all night long and gave Minnesota a nice energy boost most shifts.
Todd Richards described the game as one of “a variety of extreme emotions, and felt especially in the 3rd the team relied far too much in the 3rd” and was not happy with the effort down the stretch. He also stressed how the missed opportunities nearly cost them a victory. Scandella earned rave reviews and Richards seemed genuinely impressed with his play in the defensive zone and said the team would really need to think before they just go and send Scandella down to Houston when Brent Burns returns to the lineup for the game against Detroit. Richards felt his team gave only a 30-minute effort, and I have to agree with Richards’ assessment as the Wild got weaker down the stretch even though Anaheim was playing its second game in back-to-back nights. The challenge doesn’t get any easier for the Wild as they travel to Joe Louis Arena to take on the high powered Detroit Red Wings. If Minnesota’s offense was an animal it would be a turtle, slow and steady but it still requires that goaltending is nearly perfect to have a chance. The Red Wings beat a very stingy St. Louis team 7-4 tonight, so the Wild should consider that a warning when they face them on Friday. In the meantime they can savor its first overtime victory of the 2010-11 season.
Wild Notes:
~ Wild roster tonight was as follows: Mikko Koivu, Andrew Brunette, Antti Miettinen, Martin Havlat, Matt Cullen, Cal Clutterbuck, Eric Nystrom, Casey Wellman, John Madden, Robbie Earl, Kyle Brodziak, Brad Staubitz, Marco Scandella, Justin Falk, Greg Zanon, Cam Barker and Nick Schultz. Jose Theodore backed up Niklas Backstrom. Clayton Stoner was the lone healthy scratch while Brent Burns served the last game of his suspension. Guillaume Latendresse, Chuck Kobasew are still out of the lineup with groin injuries and Pierre-Marc Bouchard is still battling through his concussion.
~ The 3 Stars of the Game as selected by Let’s Play Hockey was: 1st Star Martin Havlat, 2nd Star Antti Miettinen, 3rd Star Niklas Backstrom
~ The State of Hockey News would like to congratulate the NHL’s XM-based station “NHL Home Ice” on its 5th anniversary!
~ Attendance at tonight’s game was 16,890, which means there still has only been one sellout all season for the Wild.
Wild Prospect Report:
LW – Brett Bulmer ~ Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
2010-11 Stats: 20GP 6G 6A = 12pts 44 PIM’s -12
Its been a season of struggle, inconsistency for the Wild’s surprise 2nd round pick from this summer’s draft. Bulmer is a player who most agree has loads of potential and skill but for whatever reason has only shown the aforementioned abilities in limited bursts. After getting off to a fast start, Bulmer and a few other of the Rockets’ key offensive talents like Geordie Wudrick and Shane McColgan struggled and so did Kelowna. A reasonable skater who uses his body well to protect the puck as he dangles around opposing defenders he still projects to be a power forward with his 6’3″ frame. However some Rockets fans are distressed he is not using his physical tools to a greater effect, as they feel he’s at his best when he’s throwing his body around and punishing the opposition. The Rockets are finding their winning ways again and coincidentally Bulmer has found his way back into the scoring column in a positive way. His -12 is still kind of alarming, especially when you consider the long tradition the Rockets have had as being one of the most defensively responsible teams in the Western Hockey League.
LW – Erik Haula ~ Minnesota Golden Gophers (WCHA)
2010-11 Stats: 10GP 2G 9A = 11pts 14 PIM’s
He has cooled off a bit as of late but so far it has been a scintillating start for the freshman Erik Haula who is proving why he was such a highly touted star at Shattuck-St.Mary’s. Poised, skilled with decent speed he looks like the offensive prospect the team has sorely been missing from its prospect pool. I don’t think the Wild are in a rush for him to go pro, but so far he is looking like a 7th round steal. The team has had precious few players it could call draft steals in its first 10 years, and almost every great organization has a few which helps fill internal holes and prevents an organization from having to delve into free agency which is far more cost prohibitive. The Pori, Finland-native has also been fairly solid defensively too which only adds to his value. Hopefully he can continue to improve because I think any real promising offensive talent will be crucial in the coming seasons.
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