Minnesota Wild vs Anaheim Ducks: Game Recap

by BReynolds on Nov 17, 2010 10:03 PM CST in Events

Minnesota Wild 2 - 1 Anaheim Ducks

For Anaheim reaction, please visit Anaheim Calling or Battle of California.

The Wild took a reverse tactic in this game. Play a solid first, a solid second, then take the third period off before winning in over time. Despite being out shot in the third period 16-2, somehow the Wild pulled another rabbit out of the hat and took home another victory. They relied heavily on Niklas Backstrom yet again, and Backstrom came up aces. Again. At some point, they may want to consider some goal support.

The scoring was opened by the Ducks when Teemu Selanne made the Wild pay for taking their one minor penalty of the game. This almost immediately after Mikko Koivu nearly scored the Wild's first shorthanded goal of the season, if not for a bouncing puck. Just over a minute and a half later, Martin Havlat would answer with a filthy zero angle shot that somehow found its way in.

Through two, the Wild 21-11, had the Ducks pinned in their own zone several times, were beating the Ducks in every aspect of the game, and just needed to capitalize on any of many scoring chances. It was not to be however, and as mentioned above, the Wild took most of the third period off, being out shot 16-2 in the period, and not getting anywhere near the pressure nor the chances the got in the first 2/3 of the game. Entering the extra five minutes, the Wild were now being out shot 27-23.

The over time period was nothing special, with some back and forth before Marco "Pizza" Scandella took the puck coast to coast, put a backhanded shot on goal that rebounded out to Antti Miettinen who got off a quick shot. That shot banked off of Curtis McElhinney into Mittens' shoulder and into the net. The Ducks left the ice, the Wild left the ice, and all was quiet in Mudsville.

The refs decided to review it, with only Mikko Koivu and Ducks coach Randy Carlyle left to watch the result.

A big win for the Wild, even if the third period wasn't very good for them. They have now been out shot 587 times this season, a new NHL record. OK, maybe not, but you get the point. Eventually, they really need someone to shoot the puck, and someone to put the puck in the back of the net.

I'm going to try to talk more about this tomorrow... but what the hell were the fans doing all night tonight? Chances were every where for the Wild, they played their best first period of the season, and the place was silent. I don't mean to criticize, but someone needs to light a fire out in the crowd a little bit. I nominate SpeathCo.

Hockey Wilderness Three Stars:

1. Niklas Backstrom (27 saves, .964 save %)
2. Martin Havlat (1G, 5 (!) SOG, 20:01 TOI)
3. Curtis McElhinney (25 saves)

Five Questions:

Which of the teams that gets out shot every night will out shoot the other? Or do they tie? The Ducks took it. Stupid third period.
One of the best top lines in the game tonight. Can the defense slow them down? A pair of assists, but a -5 on the night? GOod enough.
Can the team keep Backstrom under 30 shots against? 27, so yep.
Who is the hero tonight, and who is the goat? Hero... Backstrom. Goat... no one. Good game.
Can Havlat, Nystrom, and Madden continue the chemistry? I'd say. Looked good all game. Well, except for the third.

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Comments

What a game.

Great effort by Scandella in OT I really like him, he’s been very impressive in his stint with the Wild. Marty had another fantastic game, and so did Backs (who has been a godsend to this team, where would they be without him?).

"Danny Valencia is a fricking stud! Hide your daughters!"
-Denard Span

by taralynn09 on Nov 17, 2010 10:12 PM CST reply actions

When do we...

start shopping Barker?

Hockey Wilderness Fantasy Team: 12th Legion

by JMarushin on Nov 17, 2010 10:14 PM CST up reply actions

He pretty much has no trade value.

Until he starts playing better, I doubt Fletch would even think about it (sadly).

"Danny Valencia is a fricking stud! Hide your daughters!"
-Denard Span

by taralynn09 on Nov 17, 2010 10:20 PM CST up reply actions

Sadly

is right, which sucks, there has to be potential there, it just isn’t showing up in MN :(

Hockey Wilderness Fantasy Team: 12th Legion

by JMarushin on Nov 17, 2010 10:29 PM CST up reply actions

Barker is a -6 on the year...

tough to get anything more than a bag of pucks and some tape for that…

I would go for a new stick though… those are spendy buggers, broke mine the other day.

"That was a goal-scorer's goal." (by definition, aren't they all)

by DarylV on Nov 18, 2010 11:03 AM CST up reply actions

But...

We can’t even get SpaethCo to participate in the fan participation games…

Even when I offer to soy sauce my hat.

However, I will be very loud on Saturday and once again, my sister will be embarrassed that she knows me.

Manager of Loquita Bananas in the Hockey Wilderness League

by brigid22 on Nov 17, 2010 10:14 PM CST reply actions

Didn't even matter

They picked specific sections to participate in crowdwave last night, and section 112 wasn’t one of them. The system is poorly calibrated to give the club level the advantage though.

Of course, if 112 were picked, I’d still tell that stupid game system to go to hell.

by SpaethCo on Nov 18, 2010 11:51 AM CST up reply actions

Oh

And Scandella was awesomesauce.

Barker….not so much. How’s that collection coming to bribe them to send him to Houston?

Manager of Loquita Bananas in the Hockey Wilderness League

by brigid22 on Nov 17, 2010 10:16 PM CST reply actions

I think we’re still about $3.082999 million short.

by SpaethCo on Nov 18, 2010 11:52 AM CST up reply actions

Starting an early campaign, Backstrom for the Vezina!!!!!!

by RE74580 on Nov 18, 2010 12:37 AM CST reply actions

If anyone would be willing to give me season tickets, i’d be glad to go fire up that crowd. ;) i had trouble sitting still at home all night watching the game.

by shleske on Nov 18, 2010 7:57 AM CST reply actions

Scandella

Is looking good, not only with that game winning rush, but taking out the big forwards who think they’re going to bring the puck in the zone up the boards.

by Chris Winner on Nov 18, 2010 8:12 AM CST reply actions

A win is a win

and I do love when the Wild win. Still, I would love to see a game where the Wild win when it doesn’t feel like Backstrom stole another game.

by Krotz the Wall on Nov 18, 2010 8:42 AM CST reply actions

keeping him healthy and playoffs?!?

Playoffs?!?! You’re talking about Playoffs?!? indeed I am… I am feeling a sneaky bottom of the playoff barrel type season. Will Backs be healthy by season’s end to ’Back’stop a playoff push?

"That was a goal-scorer's goal." (by definition, aren't they all)

by DarylV on Nov 18, 2010 10:40 AM CST up reply actions

Are you talking to me (with or without Taxi Cab accent)?

The team needs a lot more consistent play and for their big players to exert an influence before we can even step out on a limb and talk playoffs. It IS possible, but it is very early.

by Krotz the Wall on Nov 18, 2010 12:55 PM CST up reply actions

Bryan...

…I am sad to see that you made no mention of the wicked ’stache on Selanne.

Rumor has it…that he “Teemu Selleck” will be starring in the new hit Finnish crime drama Magnus P.I.

by mbennett on Nov 18, 2010 9:17 AM CST reply actions

More like Magnus P.S... Paajarvi Svensson's nickname when he sports a 'stache

JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!

Not the loser of the first official Hockey Wilderness Fantasy Hockey League

Owner of the Bertrand Acadians of the Hockey Wilderness Fantasy Hockey League

twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Nov 18, 2010 11:28 PM CST up reply actions

Regarding SpaethCo...

…he was a maniac last night. Jumping up and down, screaming, telling all the fans to get behind their boys. There were many moments when I felt embarassed to be sitting next to him since he was so loud.

Frankly, the reason for the lack of energy was one of two things: Either the collective crowd of the wild still has its heart a-flutter from Prince William asking a (gasp) commoner to take the throne next to his Kingly throne, or, it is because the "Come on Wiiiillld…YOUUUU Caaannn DOOOO ITTTTT!" guy was clearly absent from yesterday’s bout on the frozen pond. Naturally, I tend to lean more to the former, but odds are, it was the latter.

by mbennett on Nov 18, 2010 9:21 AM CST reply actions

I can see where it would be tricky for folks to get up for a game when the steady team cheerleader is mysteriously absent.

Maybe it’s time to get Nordy one of those big ass drums like the southern markets use?

by SpaethCo on Nov 18, 2010 11:55 AM CST up reply actions

Crowd at the X

The 1st period was very exciting, and besides sensing a bit of frustration due to many missed opportunities, our section, 111, (being only “every-other-seat” full for the most part—at least at the top) seemed fairly engaged.

The really boring stretch of the 2nd period slowed the mood. I’ve had long week at work, and I’ll have to admit, it got to me, too. I was pretty tired during and after the 2nd period. Backstrom made some awesome saves in front of us, though. I did notice and gave him due credit. It was just not as boisterous as I could have been. For that, I apologize.

In the 3rd, I was none too happy to see the “bad” Wild team return to be very severely outshoot [again]. Suffice it to say, the action was at the other end of the ice. Lots of crickets on our end for the most part, but I was very committed to voicing my opinion of the play (hey, at least it is noise—and I don’t exactly orate in hushed tones).

Funny related story: some random chap chose to move into the open seats in front of us to start the period. He made it until the first TV timeout at which time he got up to leave and informed me that I “talk too fucking much.” Never mind that he was not [I assume] in his original seat and we were in our season ticketed seats the whole game. I just laughed. Good to know, bud, thank you.

Now, there are two extremes to every story. We all know about the several classes of the “annoying fan,” and that one of those is the fan who won’t shut their yap the entire game, yada, yada, yada… I hope I’m not on that level, but do realize I probably stray dangerously close to that line the more I have been drinking. Last night, I was not that imbibed, so I believe my criticism was well thought out and my bravado was tempered. At the very least, since I’m a HW regular, I should be well informed and know what I’m talking about before speaking. If that is not the case, I’m blaming you all ;-)

by redheadzeb on Nov 18, 2010 2:30 PM CST reply actions