The win by the Minnesota Wild Monday night in Vancouver is
just one more reason to love Minnesota sports. Stats can be hard to look at
suggesting sometimes a win should not happen.
Minnesota came into Vancouver with a record of 0-9-2 with
the last win coming back in 2009. The streak cannot keep going there has to be
an end so I hoped.
It is the last meeting in Vancouver this season and the last
of this division rivalry as the teams get realigned next season
It would be so nice to end on a positive note and give Wild
fan hope that the future looks more like a playoff spot in the end.
As you know by now the Wild did pull of a major win. Goalie
Nicklas Backstrom and the boys played their hearts out.
The names of Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu, who get much of the
attention and deservedly so are getting team support. The youth on the Wild
team is coming through with names like Jonas Brodin, Charlie Croyle, Jason
Zucker. Veterans Devin Setoguchi, Matt
Cullen to name a couple are playing top notch as well.
It seems every night through this past 10-4 record that
someone different is stepping up. I believe the one man who is playing the most
consistent is Ryan Suter.
Zenon Konopka got into the Wild record books Monday as he
becomes the first Wild player to win 100 percent of the face offs he was
involved. Konopka went 10 for 10 beating the old record of 9 for 10. This man
has brought his toughness to the team in more ways than one. His fighting ability
is awesome to watch but the ability to win face offs is even better.
This team has me so excited but I also know the season has a
ways to go. Minnesota goes to Detroit Wednesday which will be aired on NBC
Sports Network “Wednesday Night Rivalry. The guys to call the game are Mike ‘Doc’
Emrick along with analyst Eddie Olcyzk and ‘Inside the glass’ analyst, Pierre
McGuire. What a night to get ready for two great teams with great TV coverage.
I grew up a North Stars fan going to several home games at
the Old Met. The 1990-91 Stanley Cup run I felt like it would be the North Stars
year. I was wrong as Pittsburgh Penguins won the series 4-1. This Wild team has
me thinking it can happen again the way things are starting to fall into place.
How can you forget that Stanley Cup run with Dave Gagner,
Brian Bellows, Neal Broten, Mike Modano, Bobby Smith, Curt Giles just to name a
few. How about the name Jon Casey in the nets for the North Stars? Casey was born in Grand Rapids,Minnesota.
The Wild have Konopka for toughness while the North Stars
had a couple of players who spent some time in the penalty box. Do you remember
Shane Churla and Basil McRae?
The Wild did make a run to the Western Conference finals in
the 2002-2003 season which was so much fun, but I feel this team has the
capability of going to the Stanley Cup.
The mix of veterans and rookies give fans a lot of hope and
if Backstrom can stay healthy and play like he did Monday night perhaps I will
be writing a blog in June celebrating a Minnesota title.
GO WILD
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
How about the goalie John Casey. Grand Rapids native and then played for North Dakota. I was very young at that time but I will always remember that run in the playoffs.
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