Three games left
and controlling their own destiny for a playoff spot the Wild hosted the Los Angeles
Kings on Tuesday night. The Kings already have secured a playoff spot while our
Wild are fighting to hold on. The Wild players know, the fans know that is its
time to get the ever elusive W at home. The Wild, struggling at home as of late
and the biggest game of the year, how would the team perform?
I love the
tribute to the military tonight. The pregame camouflage uniforms worn by the
Wild were awesome. The lowering of the military man from the ceiling to the ice
for the ceremonial dropping of the puck was a great touch as well.
The play of
the Wild in the first period alone I thought looked as good as they have in
quite some while. The Wild have been struggling at home to score as of late. Tuesday,
2 goals in 16 seconds Tuesday night was phenomenal. Is this game going to be a
blowout?
Kings goalie,
Jonathon Bernier I really thought we could take advantage more with the big
rebounds he was allowing. I find myself on the edge of my seat in hopes as I
see the puck laying there that a Wild player could get to it and put it in the
net.
The hitting led
by Cal Clutterbuck seemed to inspire the team as it became contagious. I loved
the effort and energy these guys brought to the rink.
The first
line of Parise, Koivu and Coyle I thought played the best game of the year. The
guys were relentless in hustle. The first goal by Coyle was a great product of
the determination. What a pass by Parise from behind the net and even better
the shot by Coyle.
The game was
as physical as I have seen all year. I know refs don’t win or lose the game but
how many games must the Wild go through before they actually get a call on a
legitimate penalty?
An earlier
game in the season Koivu gets a high stick in the face and draws blood, yet no
penalty. Tuesday another example of injustice as we watch Jason Pominville take
a cheap shot, an elbow to the head right in front of a linesman. Wild defenseman, Brodin gets slashed down in
the corner later.
The goal by
the Kings with less than a second left in the period made left me with a nervous
feeling going into the third. The Wild had outshot the Kings badly in the first
2 periods and outplayed them as well but somehow only a 2-1 lead.
The Wild
played so well in the third period. The ability to clear the zone and
continuing the hitting showed me this team wanted the win badly.
The save by
Wild goalie, Niklas Backstrom late in the game I thought was the save of the
year. A great team win with all lines contributing puts us that much closer to
seeing the Wild back in the playoffs.
Friday, a
home game vs. Edmonton not just another game it is a win and in to the playoffs
for the Minnesota Wild.
These games make
me nervous with a team that is out of the playoffs but know they can be a
spoiler. A huge win vs. the Kings leaves no time for a letdown. Let’s Go Wild!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for
reading
Purplestick
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