Game Review Archive

November 23rd, 2001 vs Phoenix Coyotes
What a sweet victory. After going winless in their first five games against a decent Phoenix team, the Wild finally figured out how to beat them. In front of a sold out Thanksgiving weekend crowd, the Wild gave fans something really to be thankful for. With Marian Gaborik and his two other diciples, the line of Gabby, Jimmy Dowd and Andrew Brunette accounted for three goals and three assists, and even threw a little defense in there, ending the game with a +2 rating.   After Dowd and Pascal Dupuis power play goals in the first five minutes of the game, there was no looking back. With strong goaltending again by Dwayne Roloson, the Wild coasted to an easy 5-2 victory. Midway through the second period, Marian made quick work of an Aaron Gavey pass as he was being checked into the Coyotes net by Paul Mara to make the score 4-0. Bad Paul Mara, one more of those and you will be on the infamous "Fear and Loathing List." Already known for one of the strongest shots in the game, The Man picked up his second goal on a picture perfect tic-tac-toe pass from Lubomir Sekeras and Andrew Brunette. Look for it on Sports Center tonight, and if they don't show it, boycott ESPN because they are little punks. No wait, better not, they show some Wild games. And Dan Patrick is kinda cute. No wait, scratch that. Marian ended up with 2 goals and an assist to boost his team leading points to a whopping 25 points in 22 games, which is good for 3rd in NHL. Third you ask? Yeah, that's right, he's that good.    During an interview with Marian before the game this afternoon, he was asked what his goal was for this year. He responded 35 goals. However, as he continues to progress at a scary speed, don't be suprised to see that number severely lacking in reality. In other words, a hell of a lot more than that. He also mentioned that he didn't want to make any other NHLers feel bad because he is only a 2nd year player, and younger than many of their children, and already he can kick their ass. "He's getting better and better, but don't forget the guys who are playing with him are doing a great job," Lemaire said. "I'm sure if Bruno and Jimmy weren't playing as well as they are, Marian wouldn't have half the goals he has." Nice quote, but man, i'm not too sure of those nicknames, Bruno? We'll see about that. But this is a nice quote from a man of few words. It may not be true, but nice none the less. Don't forget to watch the battle of the has-beens and the will-bes as the Dallas Stars dare to return to the site of their terrible embarrassment last year. The Wild vs. The Stars on Sunday afternoon. If you aren't there, you better be in jail, and if you're in jail, BREAK OUT!

November 25th, 2001 vs Dallas "Stars"
NO RECAP AVAILABLE - Excuse: We apologize for missing this important game, we do not have a valid excuse.

November 27th, 2001 vs Vancouver Canucks
I had the misfortune of working last night, so I didn't get to see the game on TV. However, I did catch the last 10 minutes on the radio. Does it seem like the Wild purposly make the games close just so you keep watching them? The game was held scoreless until 10:55 of the third period when Sergei Zholtok beat Vancouver goalie Dan Cloutier with a wicked slapshot from the point. After Wes Walz scored with under 3 minutes left in the game, the victory seemed certain. However, not wanting to disappoint the home crowd, the Wild let one slip by after the Canucks pulled Cloutier with 21 seconds left, ruining Manny Fernandez' bid for a shutout. Manny looked sharp in his second straight outing, putting some doubt to rest of his capabilities under pressure. Coming within 21 seconds of his second consecutive shutout, Emmanuel was nothing but smiles after the game. "I want to get the win,'' said Fernandez, who made 26 saves in the Wild's 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night. This is somewhat different than his previous thoughts, which were, "I really hope I don't get shelled again. But if I do, I hope no hot women are watching me, 'cause that would suck. God why do you do this to me!" The Man had a somewhat boring (if you will) night on the ice. His only real chance was a wraparound that was stopped by Cloutier. Three minutes later, Cloutier stood up to Gaborik again when he tried to backhand the puck into the top left corner of the net. Watch for Marian to have a multiple point game Thursday night when the Wild host Viktor Kozlov, Pavel Bure, Valeri Bure and the rest of the Florida Panthers. But honestly who else is there? Every other player on that team was either flipping burgers or shinning shoes this time last year. One other tidbit, I had to save the best for last. Pop group Hootie and the Blowfish, minus lead singer Darius Rucker, shouted the traditional ``Let's Play Hockey!'' chant to the crowd of 18,064 last night. I guess Darius felt that so called "hockey" wasn't worth his time. And to think I used to listen to them as my mother rocked me to sleep. Never Again.

November 29th, 2001 vs Florida Panthers
Dewie Roloson was hotter than the The Malibu Sands Beach Club as the Wild put on an offensive show worthy of a NFL game score. The Wild scored 6 goals by 6 different players on route to a 6-0 drilling of the pathetic Florida Kittens. Mr. Roloson's second shutout of the season couln't have come at a more opportune time. Days after almost shutting out the Canucks 2-1, the Wild needed to put together a winning streak of sorts. Too many times after a win, it seams as if the Wild get too soft and drop the next game. This time however was an exception. After 19 year old Nich Shultz first goal of his career at 5:38 in the first, there was no turning back. The Three Wise Men contributed 6 points as Gaborik posted his lucky 13th goal of the season, to be assisted by non other than Andrew Brunette. After Gaborik's explosive rush down the ice with the puck, he took a pass from Brunette on an errant rebound and slammed home a slapshot Florida goalie Roberto Luongo didn't even see. The latest tally by The Man prompted Panther coach Duane Sutter to switch goalies. What a tribute to Marian. "You mess with fire, you're gonna get burned," Marian was overheard shouting to Sutter after the goalie change. Brunette had another spectacular game again, getting the playmaker. (three assists for all you simple people) His 18 assists are good for second in the NHL. As for Gaborik, another goal last night brings his points total to 27, good for 5th in the NHL. Early in the second period, Florida Defensman Robert Svehla whiffed on a slapshot around center ice, to which Marian replied, "You really knocked the crap out of that one." The Wild get two days rest before hosting the ever potent St. Louis Blues. One more thing. Considering Hootie and the Blowfish were present to shout let's play hockey at the Xcel yesterday, I was rather dissapointed that Britney Spears wasn't available to do the same, since she was on tour here last night. I guess she'll just be another pretty face.

December 2nd, 2001 vs St. Louis Blues
The Minnesota Wild redeemed themselves from the last loss by the St. Louis Blues by earning a much respetced tie. Behind Marian Gaborik's two assists, the Wild took a quick 3-0 lead halfway through the second period. In a very weird chain of events, the Blues scored goals 10 seconds apart to erase the Wild's hugh lead down to 1. After Dallas Drake's shorthanded goal with three minutes remaining in the second period, the Wild's once massive lead was expunged. Third period, 2:43 left: "Gaborik passes to Jim Dowd, who finds Andrew Brunette open, he shoots, he scores!!!" What sweet music to our ears. The Three Wise Men come through in clutch, and guess what, it was a power play goal. Chalk up another 6 point game to the Magnificiant Three, with savior Andrew Brunette scoring a goal and two assists. However, just as the sold out crowd of 18,568 at the Xcel were sitting back down, Al (I'm 40 but still think I'm good enough to be playing in the NHL with players half my age) MacInnis took a lucky stab at an errant rebound and scored the eventual tying goal. The puck glanced off teammate Keith Tkachuk and came to MacInnis, who snapped a shot from the right faceoff circle through traffic and past goaltender Dwayne Roloson. Both teams had a couple of opertunities in overtime, but the game ended up in a   4-4 tie. "It's tough to get the equalizer, especially at that stage of the game,'' Blues coach Joel Quenneville said. "We're happy to come out of here with a point.'' Damn straight you are. The Wild have been hanging on, and in many cases beating the NHL's elite teams. But as always, Wild coach Jacques Lemaire keeps a modest tone to the team, not wanting them to get a big head before due time. All four of the games between the Blues and Wild in Minnesota have gone into overtime, which tells you how the Wild bring their game to a different level with power house teams. Now if they could only do that with terrible teams, the Wild would never lose. The Wild have only lost one of their past six games, earning 9 points in that stretch. After a scary streatch in late October and early Novenber when the Wild only won 4 of 17 games, they have bounced back with a vengence, devouring such teams as the San Jose Sharks and the Phoenix Cayotes. The Wild travel to Chicago Wednesday night to try their magic on the slumping Blackhawks, who have not won in their past 9 contests. Come on Tony Amonte, get your act together. Quit playing like a spoiled little schoolgirl. We know you can dress the part, but for the sake of your fans, try a little harder? We want YOUR ass on a platter when we come to your house Wednesday.

December 5th, 2001 vs Chicago Blackhawks
NO RECAP AVAILABLE - Excuse: Tim blows (again).

December 8th, 2001 vs Philadelphia Flyers
Another game, another loss for the Minnesota Wild, owners of two embarrassing losses in a row. This time 5-1 versus the Flyers. Gaborik had another pointless night. The Wild look to rebound against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night. One little thought. Who's bright idea was it to name Montreal's team "The Canadiens." Thats a little half-assed, don't you think? I mean, what If I were to name my franchise the "Minnesota Americans". Or better yet, the "Minnesota United Stateians". I'm sorry, I'm just bitter over the Wild's play the last couple of games. Which means they better win tomorrow. Go Gaborik. (Three points will be fine with me.)

December 10th, 2001 vs Montreal Canadiens
Another game, another loss for the Minnesota Wild, now owners of three embarrassing losses in a row. This time 4-0 versus the Canadiens. Gaborik had another pointless night. Marian finished with one shot and a minus 3 rating, Brunette finished with a minus 4 rating, ouch. These are the times that it sucks to be a Minnesota Wild fan. The Wild are now below .500 and are constantly getting more and more behind the leaders in our division. But there is a bright side to this story, at least the Wild are not as bad as the Blue Jackets (even though they did just beat the Devils). Also, the next assist Marian picks up will be his 18th of the season, which is what he had all of last year, and its not even mid-season yet. At this rate, Marian is projected to have 46 assists by the end of the season, a 255% increase. If the trend continues, and it will, Marian will notch 5,014 assists in the 2007-2008 NHL season.

December 14th, 2001 vs Pittsburgh Penguins
The Wild Finally broke out of their season long three game losing streak with a commendable 5-2 victory over the lethergic Penguins, minus Mario Lemieux, who is nursing a hip injury. (Thats so easy it's almost unfair, so I won't go there...yet) Eight different players tallied points as Minnesota continued their dominance when they score first. The Wild are now 9-0-3 in those situations. May I be the first to say, It's about time! The Man scored his first goal in eight games (let us never talk of that horrible stat again) and ended with two points, his 10th multi-point game of this young season. He even showed a little, dare I say, lewd behavior with his 5th penalty of the year, a high sticking penalty late in the first period. As the startled Penguin was brought to the ground, Marian was heard to vocalize in his finest Ranier Wolfcastle tongue, "Ice to see you!" Any win over the Penguins is a good win in my book. There are few teams I dislike with such a vengence that when I hear their name, I shake uncontrollably and flail my arms without discernment of the situation. The Yankees are one, as are the Penguins. I seem to remember about this time last year, the newly expansion Wild took two points away from the Penguins with a strong 4-2 victory at the XXXcel. After the game, the crybaby Pitt's were whining about the type of defense that we use. Yes, the Penguins have some talent, Jagr (at least last year), Lemieux and Stevens, but confronting Wild coach and NHL hockey legend Jacques Lamaire, who by the way has 19 Stanley Cups as a player and coach of the Montreal Canadians, is pretty much a no-no (for lack of a better word). Lemieux had the audacity to say that the NHL should go to four players a side to spark more scoring. Mario, I'm sorry you aren't as capable as you used to be, but no matter how you try to bend the rules in your favor, you aren't gonna beat the Wild. Maybe this latest hip injury is a sign that you should settle down and run the Pen's from the other side of the ice. And by the way, the Wild have 13 more goals than the Pens this year.