Minnesota Wild @ Calgary Flames: The Morning After

by nathaneide on Mar 29, 2009 12:44 AM CDT in Events Comment 3 comments

Calgary Flames 3-2 Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild once again went into the Pengrowth Saddledome and once again came out with a loss to the Calgary Flames. No matter where these two teams are in the standings, it never goes well for the Wild in Calgary. This season has seen the Flames atop the Northwest division, and the Wild are definitely looking up at the best team in the division.

The Wild once again lost because they simply have no offense. They were outshot 40-15, and continue to find themselves amongst the worst in the league in shots on goal and goals per game. When Stephane Veilleux leads your team in shots with three, you know you are in for a long night. After being outshot 20-5 in the first period, it was clear that the WIld are simply not good enough. They either don't have the offensive talent, or the system is simply not effective enough to win in the NHL of today.

Todd Bertuzzi, Mike Cammalleri and Jarome Iginla had their way with the Wild defense. The three of them combined for as many shots as the Wild (15), but on the bright side, only had two assists between them.

One thing that was clear from tonight's game was how much better the Flames got as a result of their actions at the trading deadline. With Iginla, Cammalleri, Bertuzzi, Jokinen, Nystrom and Lundmark in addition to Phaneuf, Leopold, Sarich and Kiprusoff, the Flames are positioned very nicely for a run at the Western Conference.

The main bright spot since Mikko Koivu went down has been the play of James Sheppard. Sheppard has really stepped up his game. He's getting physical in the corners, making smart plays with the puck, finding his touch as well as paying attention to his defensive responsibilities. I am duly impressed. The kid needs to continue playing like this through next season, and he'll find himself on the second line, and amassing the points we had hoped from him.

Hockey Wilderness Three Stars

Jamie Lundmark (1 G, 1 A)
James Sheppard (1 G, +2)
Eric Nystrom (1 G)

Questions to Answer

Can the Wild beat Miikka Kiprusoff? Nope, this is loss 24 to Kiprusoff.
Will the Flames get healthy against Minnesota? They certainly did. After going 133:41 without scoring, the Flames scored three times and had two goals waved off.
Can Gaborik stay on a hot streak and continue to drive the team into the playoffs? Marian Gaborik led all Wild forwards with 22:41 TOI, but could not get into the offense. He had zero shots on goal and was a -1.
Which Niklas Backstrom shows up? Well, he wasn't great, but he wasn't horrible. He faced 40 shots, stopping 37. I think it's time for him to sit the rest of the season, as the Wild have virtually no chance to make the playoffs.
Will we be surprised at the last minute and get the Nolan - Koivu - Gaborik line we all want? Not tonight. Maybe in Edmonton.

Notes

The Wild now find themselves three points behind both St. Louis and Edmonton for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.
Minnesota has now lost 24 times to Miika Kiprusoff.
Calgary has beaten the Wild 14 of the last 15 games at the Saddledome.

The Game In Pictures

via cdn.nhl.com

Game Highlights

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Comments

Wild get smoked

I think maybe 4 or 5 guys showed up to play last night. The faces on the bench told the whole story. The Wild are in state of shock, and have no clue on what to do. I don’t either. Maybe should have watched the Bemidji State game. They took it to Notre Dame from the first second to the last. Positively a great game to watch.

This seems to me that it could be one of the greatest collapses ever. I don’t think I am the only one who had great hopes after last season. We could actually play some hockey, and down right kick the crap out of some of the teams. Then the tornado blew through and this is what we have left. We are not making the playoffs.

Can anyone tell me the story on Burnsie? I hear bits and pieces, but nothing accurate.

I would just like to say that I, myself, am very tired of this accepted mediocrity in MN sports. I have been waiting for some one to bring another championship here other than the World Series titles. We seem to always hear " Well, we’ll give er’ try and see what happens" Translation- Maybe if we can somehow eek out a couple wins and the right five teams lose we can make the playoffs. Even if we lose, we still made it, that’s all that matters. These idiots in MN don’t know the difference anyways. Next year we can give them the same stuff and they keep coming back. I guess if I didn’t have hope for something better I wouldn’t watch anymore, but I am beyond frustrated. If I have the wrong perspective, then shame on me.

by mckay10 on Mar 29, 2009 9:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Burns

Burns is out with a concussion. The team is calling it “concussion-like symptoms,” but with it being as long as it has been, it is a concussion. No idea when he suffered it, but these things can happen with a tiny hit. They are very odd injuries. I would doubt highly that you see Burns again this season, unless by some act of God they make a playoff run and make it past the first round.

There is no, and can be no, timetable on concussions. You just have to sit and wait it out. The brain heals differently for everyone, and to rush him back would not only be positively stupid, it could be lethal.

So, while the Wild fall apart, keep hoping Burnsy gets back, but I really would not expect it this season.

http://www.hockeywilderness.com

by BReynolds on Mar 29, 2009 10:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs