Friday Quick Hitters

I've got nothing to say that hasn't already been said about (a) the lack of activity by DR on Tuesday or (b) Chrissy Simon. So, instead of beating a horse to death, I offer these Friday Quick Hitters:

• It just isn't as fun to watch WCHA hockey when the Gophers stink. Beating the UMTC isn't a big deal anymore, everyone does it. I look forward to the time when they're decent again so I can enjoy the moments when they lose all that much more. On the flip side, it's clear Scott Sandelin's time with UMD should come to a close. They can't buy a goal.
• I wish I had a YouTube link for this, but you've got to check out NJ Devils' color analyst Chico Resch's left eyebrow. I watched a bit of his pregame tonight and I swear it was alive.
• Benioit Pouliot's season in Houston so far: 42 GP, 9-12-21. Remember, this guy was picked 4th overall the year Crosby was picked. 3rd overall pick: Jack Johnson.
• Just what in the hell is going on on "Lost"? Just when I think I've got a handle on things, they have an episode like last night. I can't even start to put my mind around this "time-traveling" conscious concept, I barely understood the "Back to the Future" trilogy.
• Check out this great Gerbil video.
• I sat in line with my son for 90 minutes last week to get Niklas Backstrom's autograph at Festival Foods. The most challenging part of the evening came from when before Backstrom arrived and we waited for 30 minutes in the feminine hygiene aisle. When my 8 year old started making a tampon pyramid he asked "what are these for?" I then said something that's probably never been said before: "Quit stacking the Tampons...the goalie's here."
• Just how fortunate are we as Wild fans to have a beat reporter like Michael Russo? This guy's coverage is fantastic and he updates his blog at least once a day.
• Good DVD selection: pick up "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford." Casey Affleck is truly the better actor in the family and was amazing in this film.
• One last note: Why can't my neighbor bring me some more spring rolls? She made them for the block party in August and I think I made it abundantly clear that they were the best spring rolls I had ever tasted, but nothing since.
• Funny picture of the week, courtesy of The Hockey News:

That's all I've got for now. Time to go watch some Friday Night Puck. Go Wild!

Last Piece of the Puzzle

Frustrated Incorporated

The only legitimate excuse for the Wild's lack of activity must be some sort of phone problem at the XCel Energy Center. Maybe DR's cell phone battery ran out. As Colorado continues to stock up talent, we're going to stand pat. Adam Foote, we didn't need him. Ditto for Sergei Federov. Heck, we've got guys in Houston who are much better players than that. Unbelieveable. Typical Risebrough BS.

F*** Foppa

He's coming back, no wait, he's not. Well, maybe he is. Yes, with the Avalanche. WHY, PETER, WHY? Wasn't one playoff loss to Minny enough for ya? See you in April if you indeed show up in the postseason this time around.

Miikka Bucky Dent Kipprusoff

Remember when the Wild were 6 points ahead in the Northwest Division race? Remember when a Wild blogger wrote that the Wild were "the best team in the NHL?" I do, I surely do and that is why yesterday's 2-1 loss to Calgary hurts so much. Six points up and now they're fighting for the 8th seed. Miikka Kipprusoff was his usual stellar self, stopping nearly everything in sight. Let's see if they can turn things around this week with road games in the Southeast Division.

What are the chances DR will make a major trade by tomorrow's deadline? I'd say about 2%. He's more likely to hold the line and not make a single move. Who can blame him anyways with the white-hot futures that Benoit Pouliot, Petr Kalus and Danny Irmen have? (Yes, sarcasm a-plenty.)

Olli Smokes

The hot rumor making its way around has Florida dealing Olli Jokinen to the Wild for Pierre-Marc Bouchard and some other minor considerations. I'm assuming the "minor considerations" would come in the way of draft picks, none of which would be a first rounder.

Would I make the deal? Hell yes. While I love little PMB, Jokinen is the better player, and it's not close. Jokinen is a star and has largely gone unnoticed by the casual hockey fan. I liken him to a Finnish version of Peter Forsberg, although maybe not quite as physical. Olli can score and score in bunches. It'd be too bad to give up on PMB, his future certainly is bright, but the Wild can't afford to sign him to the huge deal he'll command this summer, so it's best to get something for him now.

A River in Egypt

Denial. For the lack of a better word, that's how I'm going to treat the last 2 games. They didn't happen and let's focus on Sunday. The team is still 3 points ahead and we can't dwell on the past. Start playing better effective immediately and forget the past.

Moving on, here's an idea I've been thinking about lately: As some of you know, I help coach my son's mites team and the season is almost over. It's been a real enjoyable year and the kids have come a long way. My biggest challenge early on was learning the kid's names, which was immensely helped by writing their names on a strip of hockey tape affixed to the front of their helmet. Most everyone does this, and it helps out quite a bit. After 3 months of games and practices I now know the kids and don't need the help anymore.

If only life were more like hockey. I had a work-related function a few weeks ago, and met with a bunch of people that I've met once or twice before. I'm usually terrible with names, and that night was no exception. It would've been a lot easier on me, and probably on them, if people were required to wear hockey tape strips with their first names on their foreheads. It sure would eliminate plenty of embarrassing situations where names are forgotten. Heck, people could even customize their strip with different colors, patterns and so forth.

Requisite Cheap Shot

It's been reported that many fathers of Canucks players will be in attendance at the game tonight. If you also happen to be at the game, don't turn your back to Matt Cooke's dad...he may slash you with his walker and then go and hide in the rest room.

Thanks, you've been great, I'll be here all week.

Coming Attraction?

Update: 4:10pm. Forsberg's staying put. Bummer. I do, however, stand behind my "Vancouver sucking" comments.

Reports seem to indicate Peter Forsberg will make his decision this week, possibly as early as tomorrow, about where he intends to skate for the rest of the NHL season. I've seen Detroit, Colorado and f-in Vancouver mentioned as possible teams he'd be interested in and I ask "why?"

Ok, I guess I can understand why he'd pick the Wings. They're leading the league in points and have to be considered the favorite to win the Cup right now. There's a bunch of Swedish guys on the team, so he'd be around guys who like meatballs. Understandable.

Colorado? Yeah, I guess this makes some sense too. He's played there, likes the city and they're going to make the playoffs also. Colorado is comfortable for Peter, much like my ass groove in the couch. Once you get there it's tough to leave.

But why is Vancouver mentioned? Sure, by all accounts it's a beautiful city, but the hockey team shows no promise. Luongo's good, but often overrated and those Sundin twins are just creepy. Naslund is well past his productive seasons and the team has problems scoring 2 goals a game. And besides all that, their new jerseys are awful. Odds are good they won't make the playoffs, or in the best case scenario, finish 6th and get swept by the Wild. Think long and hard about becoming a Canuck, Peter.

Come to Minnesota. The weather's a bit nicer than Sweden and you can center a line with Marian and Pavol. Think about that for a minute: Demitra to Forsberg to Gaborik. Come and drink from the Cup in St. Paul.

Happy Birthday Marian!

Happy 26th Birthday, Gabo!!!!

I love you. But I'd love you more if you got us a few more goals and put those skdjhsdkjglhd Canucks away for good.

That's all.

Heartbreak

Great game for the Wild last night, until the 3rd period that is. The boys showed tons of hustle, some scoring and tough hitting against the best team in hockey. Late in the game it even looked like they were going to pull out a regulation win, but as we all saw, it was not meant to be. Niklas "Softie" Backstrom got confused by a shot from a ridiculous angle and let one slip between his pad and the post. Detroit was back in the game and then won it in overtime. Maybe Softie was thinking about something else, who knows for sure. All I know is that he seems to let in a soft goal on a regular basis and it maddens me. If Josh Harding's tummyache is better I'd look for Softie to get the night off against the Stars.

Magnetism

Wild 2, Russkies Redwings 3 (OT)

Due to a fortuituous set of circumstances, I got to go to the Wild game tonight. I've never watched a game from the upper level before, and it was quite different. First of all, I needed a freaking Sherpa and an oxygen mask to get to the top of that escalator. Then, my Davanni's pizza was not as fresh nor as well-cut as the ones on the main level, and the mini donuts had a miserly amount of cinnamon on them. Finally, the Wild lost. Every other game I have been to, the Wild have won. Frigging upper deck.

Let me say this about Detroit: if you don't know where the puck is, they have it. Thought you passed it to your teammate? Nope, you put it on the stick of some Detroit guy who happens to miraculously be in the slot. Think he's lost it in his skates? Nope, it's just going to go to the guy behind him, who will make a perfect pass to some other guy. Did you clear that rebound to the side? Nope, it went right to Lidstrom (who pinches in more than any defenceman I have ever seen) who's going to slam it right back to you. Think you made that save with 1:20 left in the game? Nope, it's behind you in the net.

We were lucky to lead this game at all. It's not nice to say, but it's true. Backstrom saved the day many, many times, but he also gave up some fatty-boom-batty rebounds which could have made the game a lot more depressing for me. Detroit is a well-oiled machine, and I would have enjoyed watching them play against anyone other than tWild.

Koivu jersey has been ordered.

See you all Thursday! Two live games in a row!

A Message to Detroit

Who's the Best Team Right Now?

Your Minnesota Wild, that's who. After two dominating post-All Star Game wins against Anaheim and Columbus, I truly believe they are the best team in hockey now, bar none. Gaborik's white hot, Backstrom's back to 2007 form and the team defense is rock solid. Detroit and Dallas come to St. Paul this week, so we should know a lot more where the Wild stands in the pecking order out West, but if this past week is any indication, I think we're looking at least at 3 points come next weekend. The pessimist in me is hoping that they're not peaking too early.

Ducks game follow-up: I can't watch JSG's meltdown enough:



Unrelated to hockey note: I was fortunate enough to travel to the Minnesota Zoo Imax Theater yesterday to take in the U23D film, and let me tell you it was a near spiritual experience. Oh sure, I'm a HUGE fan of the band, and oh sure, even Warrant would even look good on the 6 story screen, and oh sure, they were serving Summit EPA for $4.95 a glass, but this movie was spec-freakin-tacular. The sound was loud and awesome, the concert was outstanding and the 3D was amazing. Watching a 40 foot Edge play a gut-wrenching solo during "Bullet the Blue Sky" gave me the chills. Highly recommended, even for those who are luke warm on the band.