Local Connection

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Go Back to NYC

Marian Gaborik (pictured above at Blaine Chuck-e-Cheese) makes his return to Minnesota tomorrow night and I, for one, will not welcome him back with open arms. Marian was this team's franchise player, he was everything. When healthy, he's right up there with Alex, Steven and Ilya in goal-scoring ability.

Often when it's clear that a team's star is "going to test the free agent waters" the team has a chance to trade this player and get something in return. Not with Marian. When it became clear that he was not going to re-sign with the Wild, GM Doug Risebrough waited a few months and then lost all trade value when Marian injured his groin playing hacky-sack.

An f***ing hacky-sack game kicked this franchise in the groin and put the Wild in the tailspin that they have yet to recover from. Sure, I think they're on the right track, but without Marian they're years behind schedule.

Will I boo? No, because I can't afford a ticket to the game, but I will not enjoy my beer as much when watching the game from the comfort of my basement.

Backstrom Back

It appears that the Nik Backstrom of 3 seasons ago has returned. After 2 average seasons Backstrom has taken his play to another level and is having a fantastic season once again. After least season many pundits were labelling the goalie as simply another product of the Jacques Lemiare system, but clearly he is not. Backstrom is a Top 5 goalie in the NHL and is starting off this season as a legit Vezina contender.

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Coincidence? I think not.

The world is a brighter place today. Since Martin Havlat scored the game-winner on Friday night, it seems like everything is a bit nicer. It's 65 degrees outside and the sun is shining. My food has more taste, my neighbors are friendlier, my car is running better, and yes, the Minnesota Wild has a winning streak. Granted they haven't exactly been blowing teams out of the water, but they're winning, pure and simple. They're getting fantastic goaltending from both goalies, they're getting clutch goals from players like Brent Burns (he's still on the team?) and most important to me, they're fun to watch these days. When faced with a viewing decision of Wild hockey or "Giada at Home" I actually watched puck and I wasn't disappointed.

The team is finally playing under the system Coach Todd Richards has been preaching about for over a season and as it turns out, it works! Puck possession, quick breakout passes and hitting have been noticeable over the past week. And I'm coming around to the opinion that this team may contend for a playoff spot this season. Yes, I said it...this season.

And all because I'm able to have a beer again. Thanks Marty!

17 Long Days

I started this silly Martin Havlat Beer Strike 17 days ago and it's really pissing me off. Why can't the man score a stupid, lousy goal and get this over with? I'd take anything at this point...a tap in empty-netter, a disallowed kick-in, hell, even a deflection of his stick into the Wild's net would work for me. Beer is something I took for granted in the past and this idiotic stunt of mine has made me realize how much I miss it.

And I'm not talking about the tasteless domestic brews like Miller Lite or Bud Lite either. I miss the Octoberfest beer from Sam Adams. I miss the simple black and white beauty of a freshly-poured Guinness Draught. A Corona with a lime. St. Paul's Summit Extra Pale Ale. I had a big, juicy cheeseburger the other night and had to choke it down with a Pepsi, an F-in Pepsi for God's sake! Enjoying a cold beer after a long day at work was something I could look forward to during the day, but no longer.

Until Martin Havlat scores a single goal, that is. The Wild are at home tonight against the Flames and I'm holding out hope that he'll get one. My basement fridge is still full, waiting for Marty to hit the twine. You can do it, I know you can. Oh, who am I kidding...I may as well stop at the gas station on the way home for some sugared-up soda. FML.