Final practice before Game 1
Posted on April 8th, 2008 – 2:09 PMBy Michael Russo
I’m on top of the world right now.
I’m watching the NHL Network, and Brent Sutter just scored to give my Islanders a 3-2 lead over the Bruins with about 20 seconds left in the first period of Game 6 of the 1983 Wales Conference Final.
My prediction is the Isles go on to win huge in the second and third periods (thanks to a hat trick from I’ll guess Mike Bossy), then move on to a Stanley Cup Finals sweep of the Oilers. That’s how confident I am in my Islanders. I predict they won’t even lose a game vs. Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier and Gang.
Just a guess. BOS-SY! BOS-SY! BOS-SY! Tell me you remember that chant?
I’m in a good mood because the playoffs are starting.
So I got on an early-morning flight out of Denver today and made it in time for the Wild’s final practice before the quarterfinals begin tomorrow night against the Avalanche.
Guess who else made it down there today? Kurtis Foster, but unfortunately for the Wild, he’s not going to be able to make a miraculous return from a broken femur to replace Nick Schultz, who’s still in a hospital bed minus one appendix.
Foster popped in to say hello to the fellas, who know things just got a heckuva lot tougher without Schultz, arguably the Wild’s most reliable defenseman.
Not that he wanted to get in this way, but Petteri Nummelin is ecstatic to be part of the mix again. He’s only played five times since early January but is confident he’ll be able to get back into the swing of things quickly. And honestly, like I alluded to last night, I think his speed makes this a better matchup than if he were suddenly to be thrown into a Calgary series.
Nummelin had three assists vs. the Avs this season and actually played pretty well against them. The bigger issue is how does the Wild replace Schultz’s consistency and who gets the minutes that Schultz would have gotten vs. Colorado’s big boys.
Nummelin, playing in his SECOND Stanley Cup playoff series, said he feels like a little kid again, he’s that excited. Remember, the 35-year-old is very decorated playing in the postseason overseas.
The team basically said all the right things about how this is just bad luck and it’s up to them to suck it up and move on and make sure Schultz has a second or third round to return to.
If you didn’t see, here’s my exclusive with Ian Laperriere yesterday.
Tomorrow’s paper will have tons of stuff for your reading pleasure, including a couple Brent Burns stories. Yes, he was so good, I wrote two stories on him.
Wild is in playoff mode. Many players are staying in a hotel tonight.
That’s it for now. I better get to work.
228 Responses to "Final practice before Game 1"
Mike-
Watching The NHL Network counts as work?
Where I do sign up?
I’m happy for Nummi, but don’t you think that he would have played against Colorady anyway in lieu of Hill or Carney if Schultz were available?
It hurts not having Schultz, but all is not lost either.
Playing Calgary right now would have made it that much more difficult.
But, as I said b4…if we forecheck hard and keep their D bottled up in their own zone, our defensemen become irrelevant.
our defensemen become irrelevant.
Except now we have three defensemen who can lead a rush (KimmyJ, Burns and Nummi) if things break that way, and one or two who could actually score on a breakaway (Nummi is a gimme on the break, Burns sometimes, KimmyJ LOL).
I’m glad our afternoon snack from the Don came when it did. Didn’t want to get into a whole, ass-less chaps, string again.
Vor,
Agreed.
(from previous thread) Nummelin brings additional team speed and the ability to jump into rush. And, boy, can he finish on the break!
Deep…
You obviously have serious Rosieitis…
Heh, speaking of that era of hockey…
I was watching one of those classics things on NHL Network a while back–must’ve been around the all-star break because it was an all-star game from the early 80’s. There’s a play where Messier is behind the play on a rush with, I think, Gretz and Kurri, but he’s skating hard to catch up. There’s a backchecker who I think happens to be an Islander. Messier gives him a wicked whack on the gloves so that the guy instead of making a play on #99 turns around all WTF-like and it leads to a goal. I was thinking a couple of things. 1. Messier was one mean SOB. 2. All-star games used to be a different beast.
It just so happens I caught a bit of this other thing on the NHL Network a while back with some Messier Fantasy Leadership Camp or something and there’s Mr. Meanie in front of the room donning…
Blue Crocs.
It’s like synchronicity.
DB you started it, all I asked was if the earth shook.
There are some things about our little community that I just don’t quite get. But I’m OK with that.
toivo: Those “Classic Series” on the NHL Network are fantastic. Watched one a while back with the Grease and Flickers in the 80s. Grease had a powerplay and the 5 they had on the ice were Gretzky, Kurri, Messier, Anderson and Coffey. F*&%in’ unbelievable.
toivo,
There are things about our little community that you wouldn’t understand.
Things you couldn’t understand.
Things…..you shouldn’t understand.
Who cares about the ‘83 Isles? I watched the utter domination of the 1991 Clarence Campbell Conference Finals by the MINNESOTA NORTH STARS over the Grease.
I know this is a little tardy from the last thread, but a little bit of the vocal stylings Ted Knight is never out of place…
“It’s easy to grin… when your ship comes in and you’ve got the stock market beat. But a man whose worth while is a man who can smile when his shorts are too tight in the seat. Ahah… ahah… ahah… ok Pookie do the honors”
As long as we’re on the topic of the 80s Grease, here’s a little snapshot many may find more objectionable than Rosie in ass-less chaps. For me, the towel is just a wee bit too short.
And don’t want to understand!
This has nothing to do with hockey (or ass-less chaps) should I be feeling this cold in April? Bloody freakin’ heck!
It’s been a real “slap in the face” week weatherwise, Bandgeek, I concur. April will really break your heart, won’t it?
there are stashes of pictures like this at Neverland Ranch
I almost had soda out the nose on that one…
Bandgeek…its so cold that Rosie…er…um…nevermind…
hey, you scratched my anchor!
BNAG - I got in on Stars v. Oil as well - man could that Stars club score and what a cheap shot that was by Bobby Smith!
Thank you for not finishing that thought kj.
Bandgeek…you’re welcome…although I am scarred for life from the visual.
what a cheap shot that was by Bobby Smith
are you talking about when he did the austin powers “i’m falling” routine to cross check some cat in the head?
he sold it pretty good.
“Oh I’m falling over! Oh I’m falling over again!”
Yeah baby.
Yup, Mr. Pure and Innocent Bobby Smith (for Kemps Ice Cream) laid out a dude who had his helmet knocked off earlier in the shift and cracked his mellon on the ice. It is escaping me who it was, must be the sinus pressure.
G*, I might just buy this crummy snobitorium…
G* - that was the one, CBC guys didn’t take it too well but Smith got the boot. Did not remember the play at all from the series, would have lit up the blogs had it happened today!
DB - i was already crying while reading the comments under that picture, but when i came to “looks like Mess is going 5-hole”, i stopped breathing for a couple minutes. i think i’m ok now. thanks for sharing, but please never do it again!
Smith was a closet enforcer… 
kj:
Scarred for life = Classic!! Agree.
Is that photo from Bizaro-world or what?
How about a Fresca?
I should be at McGovern’s pregame tomorrow!
I didn’t know Messier ever had hair…
VOR, if only you could have seen Kim Johnsson play for the Flyers. you wouldn’t be so careless tossing him aside to the “not a threat on a breakaway” pile. I don’t know if it was the concussion he sustained in his last year in Philly or fear of a Jacques Lemaire benching or what, but the dude used to be good for at least 10 goals and 30 assists a year. there’s a clip on youtube of him taking the puck up ice from his own goal line, weaving through all five opposing skaters, and finishing with a sweet goal.
*sigh* I miss him.
Deep, that picture was as disturbing as your obsession with Rosie and her ass-less chaps. My dogs farts make me less sick to my stomach than that did.
Hey…did someone step on a duck???
Whachu talkin’ ’bout Willis???
OMG, I was so disturbed initially by the photo, I didn’t scroll down to read the comments. LMAO, waaaaay too funny, and so sadly disturbing and earth-shatteringly shocking at the same time.
Kim Johnsson clip: http://youtube.com/watch?v=jatZSYQby1w
I didn’t know he could do that! He’s been holding out on us.
In that picture Messier looks like Mo Wanchuk sans fur coat…
Wow, ATX. Well, let’s see, with that “Thank You Fans” painted on the ice, that was the first season after the lock-out, or the season before DR signed him. Maybe DR was looking at a lot of that video when making the offer?
I also noticed Forsberg was on the ice with him in that clip.
Apparently Mess wasn’t the only fan of Differ’nt Strokes…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/JesGolbez/wayneandgary.jpg
What Dana Plato was busy making porn or what???
BTW, nice robe on the Great One.
Another thought about that Kimberly clip … no wonder Gabby wants to play in the East if it’s that easy to go end to end over there. I have a hard time imagining such a play in the West.
I am with you Austin, I feel like we have been led a-stray!
OH MY RETNAS, MY RETNAS!!!!! Thanks for that DB :\
BNAG - He looks like he is wearing his heavy weigh robe!
Doesn’t it seem odd for a non-pugilist like Johhnnson (sp) to be playing for the Flyers.
Who was the sieve in the NYR net?
Nice moves KJ. I have been mourning the loss of Mr. Schultz. I have now recovered and am looking forward to tomorrow–same seats, same section. I do think Nummi brings something but we will sorely miss Nick’s play. It is hard going into the playoffs missing your #2 D and another of your top 5. Playing your 6,7 and 8 D’s will be tough but it is still realistic that we could pull this thing out. As to one of yesterday’s comments, I don’t see how mgmt can be faulted for not adding a D–how could they possibly foresee losing 2 D for the playoffs. Sure it would have been nice to get Campbell but it simply adding a D would not have been a priority. I suspect they did try to add a faceoff center and just couldn’t land one. Oh, well.
Nice moves KJ
You should see me with a cowbell in my hands…
Don’t sell yourself short Judge, you’re a tremendous slouch.
I have a hard time imagining such a play in the West.
IIRC, Phaneuf did it to us not too long ago. Shorthanded no less. 
There was talk yesterday of the sending Skoula the love and letting the past go. Although I think the clearing of bar tabs played a major role in everyones less than enthusiastic agreement. I propose we go one step further… we need a crazy mad fan to step up and take one for the team. I’m talking donating a femur for Foster. I am told the procedure would is relatively painless for Foster and at the end of the SCP run we could work on getting you your femur back. Come on we need someone about 6′5, so I’m out!
C’mon Nick…don’t let the facts get in the way of the story… 
Anyone shorter than 6′5 and he ends up with one shorter leg and just skates in circles. Let’s just say that wouldnt help!
Anyone on the ‘Nuks roster that’s 6′5″?
They aren’t doing anything right now…
(Insert long, bellowing, sinister laugh here)
Ash - that sounds just slightly less painful than becoming a Marty fan. But just so i’m clear on NiNY’s WLMS Bandwagon stipulations, are we required to forgive for past sins, or just “once you’re on, you can only send good thoughts?” is that like “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all?”
can i get a ruling, cuz i can definitely do that?
Good idea BNAG the trade deadline has passed for players but I dont think that covers body parts. Do you think a rental femur counts against the salary cap?
There was a lot of reconciling of past feeling and it did get a little sappy. I did get the impression that all NINY was looking for was future consideration on the WLMS Bandwagon. That is not an official ruling, that is just my interpretation of the spirit of the WLMS amendment.
Carl - ‘Ty, you have a pool at your place, right?’
Ty - ‘Yes I have a pool…and a pond, the pond would be good for you.’
Spaulding get your foot off the boat!
man, we really need a game to talk about…what time does Vancouver play tonight?
Finn, they have a tee time in 25 minutes.
Spaulding
Wasn’t he in that movie with Tom Hanks and the deserted island???
Hey, how tall is Ohlund? He owes us….leg for a leg, right?
FourHorsemen - shouldn’t that be bone for a bone?
I thought that went “If you can’t say anything nice, come over and sit next to me”
It’s in the hole, it’s in the hole
We seem to be a troll-free zone. How did we get so lucky?
ss6 - I’m not sure but it’s so quite on here I almost miss them….
…I said almost!
I think we’re getting a little stir crazy in here..instead let’s imagine rosie in her chaps meeting up with gary coleman following her playing a full 60 minute hockey game in said chaps.
phil, thanks to you I just lost every bit of food I’d eaten in the last two days.
phil - Brother, please stop that nonsense. I get images in my mind that are not right and they will not go a way, argh. Where is that link to Caddyshack again? I need to clense my mind.
phil…that’s just wrong on so many levels…
What??? What???
At least I didn’t rick roll us, that woulda been much worse, just ask dave the killer!
bandgeek and ss6 - Russoville meeting before the game at McGoverns on Friday?
BDS, I’m all for it, I just have to run it past the Mr. Not sure when he’ll get home from work. And I can take a picture on Friday since we went and bought a new camera the other day. we’d been saving to get a new digital for our anniversary and we decided to buy it a few months early so we had a decent camera for the game.
IIRC, Phaneuf did it to us not too long ago. Shorthanded no less.
Oh, yeah. Had forgot that. Thanks for the reminder. I feel much better now.
Sounds good, we my want to see how the first meeting goes. Maybe Russoville will not be invited back?
I may have tickets for the friday game, for this McGovern meeting do we have a special spot for russotonians or just wherever?
band, you did the right thing with the camera..
Anyone know if Schultz’s appendix actually burst? (Don’t know if you’re eating dinner)…
If it did, the chances of Schultzie coming back before the end of April are grim at best…
I see I’ve missed a lot, including a couple of shots taken at me. Oh, well, gotta pay for them playoff tickets…
the final two rounds get collected for in a week or so…
partial burst, WRT
OK, I’ve been missing a lot today. What are the details on the McGovern’s meeting for tomorrow night?
HD, I’m waitin’ on the word from BDS or band..
Still think the Strib should spring for this. Cheap SOBs.
LOL HD, but cut ‘em some slack…their revenues are down 
Yes, what are the details? Are we talking Wed. and Fri.? Wed is definitly out for me but Friday is probably doable.
I am ashamed to admit it, but we did not get tickets for the 1st round of playoffs. I will go to the box now for my 5 min. major and my 10 min misconduct.
WTF, slapshot6?
Truth be told, at the time when the money was due, my brother (we split season tix, but attend SCP games together) could have talked me out of it. Glad we got ‘em.
Gotta spend money to make money sometimes, phil.
Actually, I would bet we would pay for ourselves given the increased traffic that wouldn’t be on this site with us. Guess the Don has something to do with that, too - yes, he deserves a raise!
hear hear, HD!
I’m in San Jose. Trying to find a sports bar with the game tomorrow night. I don’t see any online Sopcast streams. I guess if nothing else, I’ll shell out some $$ and get it on NHL.com.
Anyone? The hotel and the locals all give me a blank look when I mention hockey.
Even though I am not attending, I thought the official date and time was Game 1 4:00 pm @ McGovern’s. I wish I could come!!
MNinAL, sounds like this place has CI: http://www.yelp.com/biz/stanleys-sports-bar-at-logitech-ice-san-jose
I think this place has it too. It’s just south of SJ: http://www.yelp.com/biz/glory-days-morgan-hill
Indeed, McGoverns tomorrow at 4PM in the 2nd floor back room (by the stairs).
It’s a nice spot with around 8 tables or so.
I honestly think you should get together on Friday too…especially if you cannot make it tomorrow.
Is anyone going to BOTH???
Who is planning on attending tomorrow???
kj + mrs kj
Sorry, kj, can’t go to either. Spouse will not be home in time for either evening’s pre-game drunken debauchery. All ye who enter, raise your glass to his supreme eminence…
MARTIN SKOULA?!?!?!
i’m going to both games. mcgoverns tomorrow, maybe friday.
what’s this BS that a certain someone with a chef for a daughter passed on the first round?
that’s better, WRT!
As for a ruling for Ash and Finn, I think it was only “from this point on” that you could only think happy thoughts about His Royal Highness.
sorry to re-re-post:
MN_in_AL — i posted this yesterday a couple times:
the Old Pro bar in Palo Alto is a good place to catch a hockey game. i think it’s off Ramona near University. i saw a Wild/Ducks game and a SJ playoff game there last year. i’m not sure how many people were really watching, but the games are on, it’s a big bar, good beer menu, and about as un-Palo Alto as you can get in Palo Alto…
I can’t make it to McGoverns until Game 5–at which point I expect us to be up 3-1! I will be at Game 1 but on a plane during Game 2. I’d do a frowning face but not technologically competent enough.
WHAT’s better, NiNY?
I didn’t say I’d drink to Skoula!
He’ll be even MORE of a liability than his normal disassociated self tomorrow, facing his old team in what should be the most pessure-packed situation of his feeble existence.
Oh, that’s right: I am the one who’s not making $1.8M/year…I am the one with the feeble existence.
My apologies to all whom I have offended.
See how feeble? It’s ‘pressure’, not ‘pessure’…not a good evening at all…
4:00! Holy crap, some of you will definitely be waaaay ahead of me. I got a bit of a busy day tomorrow, so I’ll do my best. Damn job.
Did everyone else go to bed already?
Trying to get caught up on sleep tonight before tomorrow’s excitement?
just took time to zip thru the daily sudoku on yahoo games
Sorry WRT I’m trying to get caught up on stuff around the house, bathrooms don’t clean themselves. I’m not sure what every one else’s excuse is.
Playing with our new puppy. Hard to keep up.
Hey Russo,Growing up in the NYC area and hating the Islanders, the only Bos-sy chant that I recall was followed by the word su*ks!
bathrooms don’t clean themselves
cut back to one bathroom?
about as un-Palo Alto as you can get in Palo Alto…
I keep trying to figure out if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I suppose if you’re more of a Cal-Berkeley guy, it’s bad.
Bandgeek: Make him clean his own bathroom…
woodcock: Hope you’ve got everything up out of each of the new puppy! (Like your playoff tickets)…
Hey, we all have diffrent schedules; just wondered if my end was the end that dropped off other earth or ??
(But, ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ will be on soon. Guilty pleasure…)
He does clean his own bathroom. We have 2, he cleans one I clean the other. But I don’t trust him to do laundry, I like my clothes to come back the right size and color.
Playoff tickets well-hidden. No problem.
Have fun watching Hell’s Kitchen WRT. I’m more of a Top Chief person. I’m off for the night. Talk at ya tomorrow fellow Russotans.
Ding dong, McGeough is gone!
No Brad Meier either!!!
I am feeling the shame, believe me. Yes to be honest HD at the time the money was due ‘da boys weren’t at their best. We didn’t think we could handle another biotch slapping like we took last year. We opted to wait til round 2.
I will not be able to make it tomorrow, but Friday is a definate possibility. Although not til about 6:30-6:45. Is any one else looking at Friday?
WRT, I too am a Gordon Ramsey fan
Shhhhh!
Do you hear that?
It’s the sound of people getting ready to go to sleep on Playoff Eve, all excited to wake up tomorrow and see what they’re going to get.
It’s a very special night.
Sure sounds like just that, doesn’t it goalieguy? Like everyone is just gassed.
It’s the calm before the storm…..
The deep breath before the plunge….
that’s all I got…;)
Hockeydad…we’re starting at 4:00!!!
Sounds like Green* and goalieguy will be there…who else?
I’m not sure if someone else already posted this, but apparently Game 7 has been moved up a day to the 21st.
Yeah, kj - I know you’re starting at 4:00. That’s why many of you will be way ahead of me, cause I won’t be starting that early.
KBG, where did you see that 4/21 date? Wild.com still says 4/22.
sooo…who got hurt for the Wild today?
I see that date on nhl.com now.
NOT lol, NiNY
I’m off work at 3. My only worry is making it back to work on time the next day… If a certain fellow Russotan is in for McGoverns, Dickie Dunn is in for McGoverns. They are his tickets.
I prefer American Kitchen Makeovers. That show rocked!
I don’t know why you wouldn’t buy the tickets and sell them? With the new scalping laws relaxed you could really make some good coin on these games if you didn’t want to go… SS6, go back to the box and feel shame. Infact, I’m suspending you for the first round.
X is going to be electric tomorrow night.
KBG is correct, according to NHL.com, the schedule page specifically says Avalanche at Wild as Monday, April 21st, time to be determined…
I hope we won’t be needing that game to advance!
New ruling Dickie. The better half just got home and the chef with the pig boyfriend won 2 tickets for Fridays game. Naturally she can’t go, so I am out of the box and am puttin’ on the foil!!! I’m in for Game 2, whooooooaaaaa!!!
Would still love to do McGoverns on Friday though. Games not ’til 8:00, I figure it gives us a good 45 min. to prepare for the game….
After the appeal, I reduce the suspension to 1 game. But you still better feel shame! You really could have made some dough.
Way to go, SS6. Your sentence has been commuted.
I’m for bed.
Sweet dreams, Russoville.
Tank you, tank you……
Have to go to bed now. I’ll be tucked in with visions of Round 2 danceing in my head….
This was a posted Blog today on the Denver Post.
Leperrier said today he is afraid to fight Boogaard. Word is that Jaques Lemaire is going to suit up his 8 year old grand daughter FiFi Lemaire (pink figure skates, tutu, and princess tiara). There you go Ian…but you better be careful. Once FiFi has that hideous AV’s sweater over your head a nasty right hook (might straighten out that ugly nose of yours) and a heavy uppercut (will definately loosen those gross teeth). So since you saw fit to fight a non fighter and wont fight Boogey…now you dont have a choice. FiFi Lemaire is a com’in.
FYI - looks like out state TV issues with the games on 45 have been resolved - http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/17395059.html
Thinking about Nummi, I recall last year, the first half he was pretty impressive to the point he was getting a ton of minutes.
I think the big minutes did him in and so JL had to take him out.
So, maybe it was a fatigue factor. I hope that turns out to be what it was.
Adam, that is good news. I was afraid I would need to go to McGoverns just to watch it on tv.
Just catching up on todays blog before bed. I unfortunately don’t have tix for tomorrow’s game and will therefore miss our Russoville event at McGoverns.
I will attend Fridays game(with Mrs. BDS) and was planning on arriving at McGoverns 2nd floor back bar around 6:30PM to share a few pre game adult beverages with fellow Russoville residents. That is as long as kj and company don’t get us band from that establishment tomorrow night.
OK - here is the updated working link to the zebra crew for the SCP.
http://www.tsn.ca/story/?id=233827
Sort of what to expect, no McGeogh nor Meier but includes McCreary, Leggo and Hasenfratz, who all IMO are brutal. At least nice to know we don’t play a Canadian team because we all know where most of them have their loyalty.
Iceman, what do you got in your Kool Aid? I thought mine was pretty strong but yours is clearly superior.
I hope your comments on Nummi are correct. I think he will be servicable, especially in this series. But I am now of a mind that all appendixes should be removed upon birth just so they don’t needlessly F up my playoff hockey.
Can we get a petition started? I’ll put the wave on the back burner for now.
DD - great idea, they should just take them out at the draft. As soon as the guy has been drafted put on the new Jersey. Haul him out back to the portable medical clinic and do it right there. Draft is in June so they should have plenty of time to recover for the following season.
Meh… there’s an Ottawa writer supposedly saying someone on the Senators should become a “modern-day Bobby Clarke” and give Sid a two-hander to his ankle to “see how it holds up.”
I wasn’t going into the playoffs feeling any rancor.. but I am now.
reusse…….just leave us alone!
But how can I let a bandwagon go by without hurling sh*t at it? Playoff time is my time to shine. Not knowing a thing about hockey is not going to stop me.
I meant to say, if you’re more of a Cal-Berkeley type then being un-Palo Alto like would be GOOD. OK, y’all probably didn’t catch the slip nor care, but get this: At my beer league game tonight I’ll be damned if one of my teammates didn’t show up wearing Blue Crocs.
It’s almost creepy now.
I was afraid I would need to go to McGoverns just to watch it on tv.
this is never a bad idea.
and to those who don’t have tix for tonights tilt, that should keep you from going to mcgoverns.
should = shouldn’t
so the above should read:
and to those who don’t have tix for tonights tilt, that shouldn’t keep you from going to mcgoverns.
Indeed Green*.
I do not think this day will go by quick enough for my liking.
Why does Reusse bother writing hockey articles when he knows so little? Just keep watching the Woofies will you, Pat.
Why does Reusse bother writing hockey articles when he knows so little?
i am sending myself to the box for reading his slover. I’m better than this. Now I know what Hill feels like after taking a dumb penalty.
This morning was like Christmas. I got up and grabbed the morning paper, reading all of Russo’s wonderful articles.
I traveled deeper and depper into the Sports section, of course skipping the Reusse article. I got to page C8 and my jaw dropped.
Russo’s pick: Red Wings in 6, Sharks in 6. Then AVALANCHE in 6.
Come on Wild, prove the Don wrong!
I don’t have tix for tonight’s tilt, and I’ll be at McGovern’s.
Atta boy Dave!!!
Aged in 6??? I think Russo is taking this ‘objectivity’ thing a little to far…
Reusse is a tool.
I don’t get the whole “Must win it all or the season’s a complete failure!” mentality. There are many, many things to be happy about this season.
Burns had a breakout season and is looking to be very, very good in the future. The kind of guy other teams would actively pursue if they could.
Koivu recovered nicely from what could have ruined his season.
The boys seem to have found a pair. PMB and Gaborik throw down!
The team finished at the top of the division.
While a first round exit would certainly be a disappointment, it wouldn’t mean the entire season was a complete failure.
Ruesse is a tool! Ruesse is also a troll and I won’t feed or read anymore.
Wouldn’t that be a little awkward for Russo to try to interview players or JL after he just picked them to lose the series? I’m not sure I’d talk to him if I was on the team. Just sayin’.
from the burns article:
Risebrough said he believes Lemaire gets a bad rap for handcuffing defensemen. He has seen Vancouver articles where former Wild defenseman Willie Mitchell said Lemaire has a “stop sign” for defensemen.
“There isn’t for Burnsie. There is for Willie,” Risebrough said. “But not everybody on this team, and certainly not Willie Mitchell, is Burns. If we had three like [Burns], they might all have a different perspective of what Jacques wants from the defense.”
More support for my disliking of Willie.
since stats don’t lie, Willie’s career best in points is 14 which happened twice. 02-03 and 03-04. wonder what team he was playing for then? Wonder who was coach? F willie mitchell. have fun on the golf course.
DD, my koolaid is a secret recipe and blended with extreme care so it is very superior to drink.
Schultz is a big loss, but if the Wild comes ready to play each game, and play like that have the last stretch, we will get to the next level.
Russo, what a tool. I didn’t see the article but,seriously, you picked the Av’s in 6?? And you write for MN? Ish. Boooooooo
Twin Cities has a exalted staff of hockey “experts” among its headline sports people: Reusse, Souhan, Rosen, Dark Star, Sir Sidney, Mike Max … to name a few.
Funny also how they always seem to lick their lips and appear willing to bend their strict code of conduct at the mere mention of bad boys like Barry Bonds, Dennis Rodman, but they resolutely abhor Chris Simon?
More support for my disliking of Willie.
since stats don’t lie, Willie’s career best in points is 14 which happened twice. 02-03 and 03-04. wonder what team he was playing for then? Wonder who was coach? F willie mitchell. have fun on the golf course.
I LIKE IT! G*’s got his playoff game face on too!
Lets get ready to RRRRRRUUUUMMMMBBBBLLLEEE!!
Anyone else read yesterday’s PP? Shipley had a quote attributed to Don Cherry, who appears to have found an appreciation of the Wild’s new found toughness.
The quote in the PP at the end of the Sheppard story: “I was thinking they were going to match up with Calgary in the first round. Holy smokes! That would have been an atomic bomb”!
blog is wonky
Yeap, that’s what happen when we pi$$ off Reusse the blog goes off the deep end. Come on Russo get this fixed.
G* - I’m feeing like I’m standing the corner in time out since I cannot attend this evenings festivity at McGoverns. If I was at the stage of my life where I had no family obligations I would be there with bells on. Now there is swimming for the older kid and then keeping the 11 month in check as well.
I will be there on Friday for Russovile meeting take 2.
The PP, Shipley had an interesting quote yesterday.
For those who did not see it, Don Cherry seems to have found an appreciation of the Wild’s new toughness.
The quote, in the PP, at the end of the Sheppard story: “I was thinking they were going to match up with Calgary in the first round. Holy smokes! That would have been an atomic bomb.”
Iceman - is it just me but didn’t you just post that same one above @ 9:14?
I’m not a huge DC fan mainly because he just throws stuff out there to get mainly Canadians up in arms. He is always entertaining that’s for sure but it’s always very self promoting. And yes, I know he gives a lot to different charities.
It was wonky, it ate my first contribution so I rewrote it, but now I see both versions are here … sorry.
Where do people going to McGoverns park?
Uh oh. I think you might be hearing from Michael Buffer’s legal representatives, NiNY. I hear he’s pretty litigious about unauthorized use of that catchphrase. It’s a registered federal trademark.
RRRRRRRRRRR! I hate it when the blog crashes. WTF. Why does it do that?
I blame Reusse for the horrid blog access today!
Dave: I’m good…he only uses 2 “e”s in the spelling of his catch phrase.
Iceman - no problem I though it was just me who had problems with this blog. Come on Tribune IT people get it fixed, it’s only the biggest hockeyday of the year. Until we beat the lanche and get to the second round, that is.
Hey, everyone, I’ve never posted, but I read the blog almost every day… I was wondering if anybody had seen that Scott Burnside on ESPN didn’t say one word about Schultz in his playoff column today in the section on injuries. I know there has been talk on here before about the lack of national coverage for us, but this omission seems a little egregious.
What’s Reusse thinking? We are suppose to beat the lanche because we statistically have the best forward, defenseman and goalie? Hello….this is not pumpkinball! Last time I checked there are 17 other players on the team that also will play.
Go Wild!
Iceman…park wherever you can…
Seriously, there is a hospital ramp behind the bar.
Also there is a big lot just south of Tom Reids - where I usually park.
I cannot wait…
kj - Cannot wait either….for some reason I have this Christmas tune in my head.. “it’s the most wondeful time of the year….”
Nine hours until the pucks drop.
Russo is on the NHL network.
Just got done listening to our fearless leader. You know it is a cult, don’t you?
I know Schultzie is out but Russo almost sounded giddy picking the lanche in 6. Like he is standing up to the local fans here.
He’s a rebel.
He just wants more hits on the blog BDS.
Unfortunately they forgot to update the Apple II/E server they’re using…
We must be a cult, we spend hours and hours talking about drinking kool-aid. kj, count in El Gato for this evening, although I will not be attending the game.
I guess the hockey-hating Strib Sports Department is rubbing off on Russo
well to give him some credit, he did initially pick Wild in 6. Shipley at the Pio also picked Avs in 6. Russo is not alone in changing their predictions after learning about Schultz.
I just hope the guys don’t get bogged down with the lost of Schultz. I agree losing Schultz is a huge blow. The team needs to rally together and hunker down.
worst blog ever
Unfortunately they forgot to up date the Apple II/E server they’re using
I thought it was a commodore vic20
G*, they just upgraded from an Atari 400 to an Atari 800. What do you want? Do you want them to pony up and put it on an Atari 1200XL?
Try this again - crapppppy server - Does anyone know if the Iowa Wild fans will be able to see the game tonight on FSN North? During the regulare season quite a few games that were on Local TC stations were broadcast on FSN North here in the southland.
Well, without Schultz and Foster, the D will struggle and Forsberg is playing well, Sakic is back and Jose seems to be the old Jose, so Russo may be on the money. But Nummi could surprise us (actually I am a little more worried about Hill), Forsberg could prove brittle and Jose could revert to his more normal Jose form. With Schultz and Foster I would definitely have picked us. Now I would be more on the fence.
great articles on Burnsie. Glad to see he’s spending his dough on critters, rather than more destructive habits young guys with money can sometimes fall into.
Wow this place is clean, sweet architecture. Thanks for all the help a couple of threads back! I’ve got my lap top all dialed in. Well I need to hit the sack, got a game to watch at 5 a.m and when it’s in Col it will start at 4 a.m. Now thats early but what the hell its Wild playoff hockey.
I hope the roughnecks don’t mine a tired pilot.
Our D will be fine, give them a chance
GO WILD
woodcock - I agree that I’m definately more on the fence now after the lose of Schultz. I actually think we should be considered the underdog, however I’m not changing my pick of Wild in 6 games.
It was really more the tone he used and I thought we could poke some fun at him that’s all. Obviously he is journalist so we cannot expect him to consume the considerable amounts of Kool-aid we are drinking.
Correct that Fat Pat R’s comments don’t represent my opinion. The season was a success. Now if they get beat in the playoffs, the playoffs won’t be a success, but that doesn’t make the entire season worthless.
I want to see the boys play as well as they have the last 3 weeks.
Now can you say Russoville’s reach is spanning the globe?
Good luck with the sleep Walt.
Looks like the old vic20 server is up working again. Probably just a few connections on the motherboard that needed to be put back together again.
Toivo - where do you guys skate? we played at Richfield last night. only guy w/ foppa sandals in our group was me (brown though).
Kinda bummed Mr Russo went w/ Avs. Why do that? So he can tell us he told us so if it happens? No harm/foul in picking the home team, even if you’re local media!!!
Well, the PP writer also picked the Av’s in 7 games.
We always park at the Alexander Ramsey house.
How did I let myself get sucked in to reading Fatrick Reusse’s collumn again. Damn RSS feed doesn’t give the author.
Fatrick, go sit by Souhan and Grandfather Sports at the Wolfies next debacle and leave the hockey writting to the Don and #2.
“but the timberpuppies are sooooo kewwwwwl” “Hockey is for toothless goons”
Can I smack Reusse upside the head? Let PMB do it?
I think this adversity and pessimism by some could prove to be a boost for the boys. They’ve played better this year when they’ve felt like their backs were against the wall. Could picking the Avs have been a ploy by Russo?
Russo didn’t want to jinx ‘em
Band, Let PMB hold him while Gabby hits him. A big ‘ol fashioned beatdown by our two new enforcers…
lol - Bandgeek, let PMB do it!
Funniest moment in today’s pregame press conference with JL. Russo asked JL how he would use Sheppard. JL’s comment “At center…. with two wingers (holds out 2 fingers)” Everybody is cracking up. Russo walked into that.
Another reporter asks JL if he spends the night before a game practicing saying nothing.
JL’s press conference remarks are usually witty and funny.
The Don says an update cometh in a half an hour.
They apparently forgot to feed the hamster to keep the server going and he fell off the wheel. He’s had food and water now, so he is back up and running….
The front page of the Pio this morning had Darby Hendirckson’s Five Things To Watch in the series. One of them was Gabby (duh!). I’m pretty sure Darby didn’t write this, but it says, The Wild’s all-star center “was such a big part of netting that third seed.”
Sigh….
He’s a wing. A WING, for the love of all that’s holy!
PMB + Gaborik = The Road Warriors
That should say “Hendrickson”, of course.
Well the picture online of Brent Burns said “BRETT Burns.”
PMB + Gaborik = The Road Warriors
Who gets to be Precious Paul then? Mikko???
And that was in the Strib not Pio — the Brett Burns captioned.
i can’t find what time the Vancouver game starts tonight. they must play tomorrow?
it’s like X-mas…
Danielle…DONE.
Henriette…DONE.
Burrows…DONE.
All the Nuks…DONE.
(Think The Untouchables)
Finn - hehehe….good one! The nukes actually already played 18 today.
I, too am a little disappointed in the Don. But ‘cest la vie. Nothings bringing me down today.
We’ll all be able to see what this series is going to look like in 6.5 hours.
Does anyone else feel the LaDerriere incident was an attempt the throw us off our game? I mean a deliberate attempt?
The guy down the hall thinks we’re going to lose tonite because we’re too confident. I don’t think so, I think the Avs are a little worried. Foppa’s not healthy, Sakic not the force he was, and you know how goalies are. They’re all head cases, so Jose could be one-too-many-Rolstan-slapshots away from a break down. I know these things, unlike kj who has foreseen it I gave birth to a goalie and saw the weirdness first hand…..
For bkembroidery says … yesterday the StarTribune printed where the coverage of Channel 45 would be available for “out-state” locations and included both North and South Dakota but neither Iowa or Wisconsin.
In NE Minn it will be seen on My 9. Austin, Rochester, Albert Lea and Mankato will have Mainstreet Channel 14.
Sioux Falls and Rapid City will get it on Channel 26, and in Fargo-Grand Forks, North Dakota Great Plains Media Network.
Negotiations still in progress for Winona and SE Minnesota.
I know that is not an answer but may be a hint?
For all those upset at the Don’s prediction… being a beat writer doesn’t mean he HAS to pick the local team to win if he doesn’t think so. And I would think the players wouldn’t take it personally if they read the paper and find out (if professional athletes need to seek motivation from a newspaper writer…)
Besides, predictions mean nothing anyway.
That’s right Kevin. Remember ‘03…
I think our chances to advance are still really good. I think it will be for the Wild to decide whether they do!
Constant effort without the puck and smart play will get the job done.
ss6,
My opinion on your questions is that I suppose that LaDerriere may have been trying to throw us off our game with that crap. I think it will backfire, though, if it was.
I really don’t see us being overconfident. I think there’s too much veteran leadership and experience in the dressing room to allow that.
Just my opinions.
I, too am a little disappointed in the Don
this coming from someone who turned down her playoff tickets because she didn’t think the boys would get out of the first round again this year.
sorry six, you, like the don, walked into that one.
Ok kids…I need to get home and get the wifey…
See you at McGoverns!!!
Nah, that’s ok that Russo picked Colorado in 6. He spent the begining of the week in Colorado and the high altitude most have got to him. He must have just become star struck and with all the time he puts in on watching reruns on the NHLnetwork he forgot that those guys really are old.
We are worried about our old D - guys, Hilly and Yoda. How many old guys does the lanche have? Oh, I forgot those guys are not old they just have a lot of experience.
Seriously, IMO, it is going to be a dog fight and most likely the correct bounce here or there will deceide this series. I cannot wait, GO WILD!
See ya there, kj!
Did anyone tell Bandgeek that “Her Boogie” is on the cover of the sport section of PiPress? Decent enough coverage from the other side of the river. I’ve seen better and it could have been much worse.
Besides I figured out how to erase Rosie from my head. Just imagine your favorite hockey player in ass-less chaps. It either burns the image of Rosie away or you’re female and you don’t care
never fear boys we got BARRY MELROSE who picked the wild to win the series!
I had dearly hoped we would make it through at least one day without a reference to Rosie and ass-less chaps….
Sorry, Beadwench neither image is very appealing to me!
Food
before i could do anything about it, an image of b burns with a snake wrapped around him (w/ chaps, etc) popped in to my head. kinda like the stay puft marshmallow man.
geez, my man crush on burnsie just took a very awkward turn…
I didn’t say anything about it working for everyone, it just happens to work for me. Sometimes I love being female.
I should be at McGovern’s tonight. A little later than 4:00, though.
Russo will be on KFAN around 3:25 this afternoon.
