Time is ticking away, but then what?

by Jolonco on Mar 9, 2010 11:44 AM CST

Okay. So the Wild are several points out of the playoff race. We know that they have a slim chance of making the playoffs. As Buddha pointed out, they need to go 14-4 in order to have a chance.

But suppose they do make that 14-4 run. That's winning 3 games, losing 1, winning 3 games, losing 1, winning 3 more games, losing 1, winning 3 games, losing 1, and then winning 2 games. A bit streaky, but possible nonetheless.

What then? Our Wild might make the playoffs.

Will you be happy to see a team that ~~squandered~~ lost so many road games make the playoffs? Will a 1st round loss make you proud of a team that maybe doesn't deserve to be there? Will a win in the 1st round and loss in the 2nd? What would it take?

My point is that so many Minnesotans are ready to jump in line and condemn the team for its poor performance, in my mind furthering the stereotype that MN fans are all fair-weather fans, dumping their teams the second they don't meet the standards of the ideal.

My perspective is that this is a fun team to watch compared to a style of team that for years played a bit boring hockey and didn't make the playoffs. I mean, would we ever, in the history of the Wild have seen a comeback like we did against Chicago? Talk about riding high!

To summarize my Tolstoy, I believe that we have seen an extraordinary year. Even in the midst of rebuilding, losing a couple of seasoned players, the incredible injury bug that had huge point performers out (Burns, PMB, Ebbett, Kobasew, now Clutter), a flu virus that relentlessly riddled the team (Boo-hoo per Nolan), and a fire that definitely took the wind out of the team's sails. It's been an exciting year, and I am proud of our team's accomplishments.

Your thoughts? Am I misjudging the Minnesota fan base?

The opinions posted here are not those of Hockey Wilderness

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Comments

OK, here’s my take. As of right now, the Wild are done. There is no 14-2 in this team, none. Never was.

As for the exciting season, sure it was. It was nice to see the team play when they actually played. That stretch of games where the fore check was on, the defense was playing well was exciting. Whatever the game was they were playing in October and whatever game they are playing now, it isn’t hockey.

As for bandwagon fans, that happens everywhere, not just here. The team is still drawing fans by the boatload, even when they lose. The bandwagon fans are not hockey fans, they are sports fans, so they jump on when times are good and then complain when times are bad and then walk away. Look how many fans the Pens suddenly have now that they are good, or the Caps. Happens everywhere.

Myself, not a bandwagon fan. I want the home town teams to do well, and I will cheer for them occasionally, but unless it is hockey, I really don’t care either way.

This season has been painful for me. I cannot stand mediocrity, and that is exactly what we got. Again. Not bad enough to get a high pick, not good enough to make the playoffs. That, to me, is more brutal than anything else. When the team accept ho-hum, it is truly brutal to watch.

Hockey Wilderness

by BReynolds on Mar 12, 2010 11:40 AM CST reply actions