Dear Minnesota Wild,

Please buy this:







so you stop playing like

(note: I didn't want to look up pussies on Google so I thought a kitten would suffice)





and play like you belong in the





because you're making me feel like I need to take


to prevent high blood pressure and anxiety attacks, and I'm only seventeen.



Yours Truly,
Maggie

Embarrassing

is the only word to describe last night's game against the Senators. First period was great- Nolan scored two goals, Butch finally realized that if he shoots he could actually score goals, and the crowd was pumped up; my friend, everyone in my section, and myself were going crazy. The Senators were pretty terrible in their own zone, Ruutu got a stupid penalty which lead to a goal. Backstrom didn't face too many shots and made solid saves; and the Sens switched goalies because Elliot was sucking it up.

Then came the second period, where the boys had trouble getting the puck out of their zone. MAB let the puck skip over his stick, which led to a turnover and then a goal. Not cool. But as the period went on, the boys were struggling more and more and eventually went into panic mode. Third period wasn't that much better. Backstrom was swapped for Harding and the whole team just kind of gave up. Clutterbuck just kind of went around and hit people, ignoring the puck, Belanger tried to keep it in the zone as many times as he could, and Koivu just disappeared- the last player anyone would have thought to stop trying. All 18,568 of us at the X were booing which I'm sure was obvious.

I don't know Wild fans, but this doesn't look good. Personally I don't care if the Senators came off of a three game winning streak- there's no excuse to give up like that. Instead of trying to score even more goals, the boys went into "defend to keep the lead" mode, which we all know has cost us games.

We could blame the loss on the coach, the players, management, the owner, Jarkko Ruutu, etc. but there's no excuse for play like this. There isn't just one problem anymore.

----



This scene from the movie "Network" was shown at the X and honestly, it fits all of our feelings right now. Cause honestly, we're all as mad as hell and we're not going to take this anymore.

It's Aliiiiiiive!

So, we're back in gear!

For now, at least.


Okay so, Wild vs Ducks. Ventured over to Nick in New York's website for a live blog, cool people. There was actually a possibility for me to go to this game and go into the Duck's locker room, but that didn't go through. Anyways...

Overall the game was good, I think we definitely needed this shut out. It was boring at times, but it was effective hockey. If it gives us a win, then I don't care. We've been a lot more consistent overall this year (thank GOD). The Clutterbuck bandwagon is getting bigger, gotta love his effort. He skates like he means it, he hits (Skoula should take lessons), and he scores too. What's not to love? Also, everyone is loving the fact that PMB isn't just dancing around waiting to pass the puck- he's actually shooting. I think he realized that if you shoot at the net, the puck might go in.

I'm going to the Wild/Senators game on Valentine's Day with my friend Taylor, if anyone else is going say hi. I'll be wearing a blank home jersey with Wild mardi gras beads as requested by my mother.


This is just a little bit, I'm getting back into the swing of things. Slowly but surely this blog will be better.
--------------------------------------

Dear Doug Risebrough,

Do you realize that Backstrom is the backbone of our team (no pun intended- although that is kind of catchy)? Sign him. Now.

No love,
Maggie

Wow

So whoever said Junior year sucks was right. With the combination of Chemistry, Trig, AP Language and Composition, and AP US History I barely have time to do anything (besides Sparknote books and go on Facebook). I forgot I even had this thing for a while.


Well, as always, the Wild are slumping in November. Gabby might as well not even have a groin, PMB is pissing me off and Reitz can't fight. The infamous Two Blondes and a Brunette line is broken up (at least for a while) and even Burnzie is playing on the wing. I knew that this season wouldn't be that great, but this is ridiculous. When we get a lead, we lose it within .001 seconds. The only thing good going for this team (at least in my opinion) is Backstrom and Koivu.

The real question tonight is not only if we can score, but if we can keep players like Ovechkin and Backstrom (the other one)off of the scoresheet.

This post was bad but that's okay.

MIKKO!

All I really have to say is that I'm so happy for Koivu that he got the C. He really deserves it, and it also helps that he's my favorite player.


One more day until it all starts. :D

This Is Great...

While the Wild hang up their first ever Northwest Division Championship banner, I will be in a van for thirteen hours driving to Columbus. I'm also going to miss like three games after that.


So more and more people are talking about the whole Gaby situation, and I'm honestly sick of it. Is he really worth as much as other teams were offering Hossa? I don't think so. He's not worth more than Ovechkin and Crosby, who have proven to be absolute hockey beasts. Yeah he's fast and had a good game against the Rangers (gee, ya think?!), but he's not consistent and is constantly injured. When we needed him the most as our captain, he disappeared in the playoffs. If we can get a good deal in return I say trade him, but we still should be talking with him throughout the whole season. It appears that DR is determined to at least try. Worst case scenario would be that he would have a bad season because of all of the contract stuff and then walk away for nothing.


If someone turns down a $9,000,000 dollar contract, they don't want to be on that team. Just sayin'. Like honestly, I think that Gaby won't be in a Wild sweater at the end of the season.


T minus three days. My Wild jersey has been neglected so now I won't have to worry about it collecting dust in my closet.

TGFH Part I

Yes people, training camp has officially begun. New faces, new numbers, new injuries *cough*Gaby*cough*. It's always exciting for me and for everyone else who has been so hockey deprived. I've decided to make a list of who I plan on watching just because I have a late start tomorrow so hey, I can procrastinate more.


Who I'm Excited to See:

Brent Burns- He's our number one Dman right now, I don't care what you say. He matured last season like crazy both defensively and offensively, and despite having elbow surgery, is ready to go. And to think that this kid still has room for improvement. I really expect a lot out of him just because of the fact that he's coming off of such a strong season, but he definitely can live up to those.

Mikko Koivu- Is there anyone that isn't excited to see Mikko? I'm not just excited to see him because I swoon over him, but he knows his role and plays it well. His numbers in the regular season would have been much higher if he didn't get his leg chopped down, but he definitely made up for lost time. Just look at how he did in the playoffs. Koivu and Rolston were ultimately the only goal scorers in a not so great series against the Avs. If he plays like he did last season, I will be more than happy.

James Sheppard- Now that he knows the ropes around the NHL after playing 78 games, he has to step up and use that experience to benefit the team. He seemed confused at times during games, but hopefully his offense will increase. We all know that he can score, but it's all just seeing if he grasps each opportunity.

Colton Gilles- I don't know much about this kid, but from what I've read/seen on YouTube, he has a promising future. I don't know if he actually is going to make the team but I think it would be nice to see him a few times this season.


Craig Weller- Once again, I don't know much about him, but Coyotes fans seemed to like him. He's tough, not afraid to fight, and might be able to replace Fedoruk/Voros, although I don't think we'll be seeing him dancing after winning the NW division. How cool would that be, though?!


Josh Harding- With more playing time, he could easily become our number one goalie, especially with Backstrom becoming a UFA this season. Personally, and I know I say this all the time, but Harding hasn't been able to prove himself because he would play three games straight, sit out for a week, play a game, sit out four games, and so on. When he plays a couple games straight, you can see that he definitely has skill. Have you seen his glove save?! Hopefully JL will come up with a goalie system that will keep both goalies on a steady rotation.


Players I Say "Ehhh...." to:


Martin Skoula- Do I really need to explain this? Although I grant that he has good size and JL depended on him, some games I worry if he even knows where he is. He'd turn the puck over, go to the bench, and cause a goal for the other team. That's just common sense- if you turn the puck over, make sure your team actually HAS the puck before you get off the ice. One more thing- watch this. Enough said.

Owen Nolan- I know that he's a good addition for the locker room because of his veteran status, I think that he won't really help us in the scoring department, which is what we need. Since being drafted first overall in 1990, he still has yet to play a full season due to being plagued by injuries. We'll just have to see- it could turn out to be like Carney and Hill last year by not really scoring at all, or it could turn out for the better.

Marian Gaborik- Lets face it- Gaby most likely won't be on our team by the trade deadline. His status is up in the air, and that could easily affect him psychologically this season. This team would be nothing without him, everyone can admit that, but he'll be wanting a HUGE piece of our payroll pie. But at the same time, we can't afford to lose him. Anyone who has been a Wild game where his glass groin has been shattered has seen that this team barely knows what to do without him, so how would the team do when/if they lose the comfort of him eventually coming back?