Wild says Gaborik will break out
S. Smith
This time, third period not worth wait
By KENT YOUNGBLOOD, Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/17890149.html
April 17, 2008
Until now, the third period had been the charm.
The Wild had been scoreboard-challenged in periods one and two of its
Western Conference quarterfinal series against Colorado. But if
Minnesota could keep it close until the third? A good sign.
The Wild had outscored the Avs 7-2 in the third. So, in the dressing
room between periods two and three Thursday, with the score tied 1-1
thanks to Colorado goaltender Jose Theodore's stellar play, the
feeling was positive. The players were confident.
"We had played such a good game," center Pavol Demitra said. "We had
so many shots. We just needed one goal, and it just wasn't there."
Maybe the Wild expended too much energy in the first 40 minutes,
dominating the play and outshooting Colorado 32-14. For whatever
reason, the Wild blinked first. Early in the third period, Mikko Koivu
turned over the puck, which turned into a Colorado cycle, which
resulted in a penalty on Sean Hill at 3:10. With mere seconds
remaining in the Colorado power play the puck went from John-Michael
Liles across to Wojtek Wolski.
Shot. Goal.
The theme heading into the game had been whether Colorado was willing
to fight rather than just agitate. Well, Wolski's goal was a body
blow. Clean, hard, devastating.
"We had energy, I would say, up until the point where they scored,"
center Eric Belanger said.
The Wild, so good in the third period in the first four games, was
outscored 2-1 in the third Thursday. Colorado got two goals on three
shots. But it was clear the Wild was wobbly after the Wolski goal.
Less than a minute and a half later, after defenseman Brent Burns
failed to clear the puck, Paul Stastny ended up with the puck in front
of Niklas Backstrom. His high backhand at 6:25 all but ended the game.
It was the first goal scored by the Avalanche's regular-season scoring
leader.
"That happens," Belanger said. "You dominate a game like that, and
then that happens."
The Wild needs to get two victories now. But the players can't afford
to think so big-picture. Saturday's game in Colorado is all they can
focus on. In order to win that, a few more goals will have to be
scored. Playing with a lead would be a novel experience as well.
"We've been coming from behind this whole series," Brian Rolston said.
"It would be nice to get up, it would be nice to play with a lead.
"Our effort was awesome tonight. We feel very proud of our effort
tonight. Nobody will be hanging their head here. We'll be ready in
Colorado."
--
- Scott Smith: scott...@iphouse.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/choppersmith
Golfox
hurts real bad.
S. Smith
wrote:
>>S. Smith wrote:
>>
>>Wild says Gaborik will break out
>>
>He better, he may only have one more chance. Dang that lost last night
>hurts real bad.
If they can find a way to win tomorrow, anything could happen.
Yathinkso
to re evaluate their current course and make some necessary changes.
Scott Smith
>S. Smith wrote:
>> On Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:11:47 -0500, Golfox <golf...@golfdom.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>>S. Smith wrote:
>>>>
>>>>Wild says Gaborik will break out
>>>>
>>>
>>>He better, he may only have one more chance. Dang that lost last night
>>>hurts real bad.
>>
>>
>>
>> If they can find a way to win tomorrow, anything could happen.
>>
>Crap, another one and done as expected. Perhaps it is time for the Wild
>to re evaluate their current course and make some necessary changes.
I thinl Leipold and Falcone are commited to making the Wild better, so
I do expect they will sign at least a couple of impacy players in the off
season and make another run for it next season. See the recent article
below about the new owners.
New owners say Minnesota Wild are ahead of the curve for young
organization:
http://www.twincities.com/ci_8884269?source=most_viewed
Minnesota Lakers
"Scott Smith" <scott...@iphouse.com> wrote in message
news:7rbn0496j0lggknsr...@4ax.com...
You really thinl so?
LOL!