Minnesota Wild @ Chicago Blackhawks: Game Recap

Minnesota Wild 1-5 Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago wins the series 4-1

I'm not going to bother much with the recap of the night. The game was ugly. It was over quickly and the deficiencies were glaring. It wasn't unexpected.

During this game, hell this entire playoff run, one song kept coming to mind:

The world is a vampire, sent to drain
Secret destroyers, hold you up to the flames
And what do I get, for my pain?
Betrayed desires, and a piece of the game

The vampires were sent to drain:

Injuries to Jason Pominville, Niklas Backstrom, Josh Harding.

Absence of production from Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, Charlie Coyle, Cal Clutterbuck, Kyle Brodziak, et al.

Taunting from fanbases across the NHL, as the Wild continue to be the whipping boys of a frustrated hockey world.

Even making the playoffs, what did the Wild get? The best team in the NHL. Betrayed desires of a playoff run and as most expected, just a piece of the game.

This delayed season brought with it peaks and valleys. Highlights and severe lowlights. But through it all the team and the franchise learned more about itself, its coaching staff and its personnel.

Next season will see change.

Despite all the rage of the 2013 season, this team is the proverbial rat in the cage. Kept in place by its own inadequacies, but dying for a chance to break free from the bondage. Hopefully this offseason can be one of soul-searching, introspection, and some desperately needed departures.

The clock begins now on the window the Wild have. Next season begins the expectations. Home ice or bust.

Bryan's Take

An injured started, a scared teenager as the backup, and playing in the Madhouse all added up to a Hawks clincher in an easy fashion. That's exactly what we got.

The Hawks showed that just when you think you are going to catch up, they simply slip it into another gear and press down on the gas.

The Wild's top line was invisible, and gave up the first point to Jonathan Toews, the only point of pride the top line had left in this series. The second line carried the team through the night, as they did through the series, and just could not capitalize. Again.

Torrey Mitchell's goal should not have given anyone any hope, and if it did, I really am sorry, since you had your heart ripped out one last time, just for good measure.

It ends with a whimper. Crushed by a team on Sherman's March to the Cup. Good luck, rest of the NHL.

Three Stars

1. Marian Hossa (2G, 1A)

2. Marcus Krueger (1G, 1A)

3. Jonathan Toews (2A)

It has been fun Wilderness. Bryan and I have been covering this team and these games for five seasons. They have all been lackluster on the ice, but we've enjoyed the ride. We worked our way up from bloggers in our basements to members of the NHL media, providing you a glimpse of life on the inside. Now it's time for us to depart and leave the coverage of the team to the next generation