SB Nation - Pierre-Marc Bouchard

Want to Solve the Concussion Issue?

BReynolds — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:28:01 -0000

The Wild now have four players out with concussions. Brent Burns, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Petr Sykora, and now Andrew Ebbett. A week or so ago, I discussed exactly what a concussion is. Now, let's talk about how to fix the problem, since the Wild seem to be disproportionately affected.

Join me after the jump for some fun with words.

The Holy Grail of concussion cures is not likely to be found anytime soon. There is no helmet, no protection device that can prevent the brain from moving inside the skull. Unless they find a way to change the laws of physics and get rid of that pesky inertia thing, concussions are going to happen. The focus needs to be on how to prevent as many as possible, and since it is equally impossible to make the ice surface soft, what else can be done?

Messier Cascade M11 Helmet

First, we have a basic, simple solution. Helmets. Specifically, the Messier designed helmet:

The helmet is designed to cushion the blow to the head using (in layman's terms) shock absorbers throughout the helmet to absorb up to 80% of the impact.

The question this begs is, why does the league not mandate its use? Change comes slow to the NHL, shocker, I know. It has been left up to the players to decide if they want to wear it, much like face shields. Similar to the NHL prior to helmet use being mandatory, the "cool" players don't wear face shields. The "cool" players won't wear the new helmet because the stigma has already been assigned to it, that only a sissy would wear this thing.

It will require the league mandating its use in order for players to wear it. Or, perhaps the Wild need to make the move and mandate their players wear it. Suck it up boys. I'd rather see you skating in this "goofy" new helmet than not see you at all.

Count me in as a proponent of making the helmet mandatory. It hurts no one, and could save careers.

Enforcing the Rules On the Books

There are rules, already in place, to help prevent concussions. Problem is, they are not enforced. Charging, boarding, high sticking, elbowing, cross checking, slashing, tripping (am I missing any?) all have sub-clauses that if they cause injury or you show intent to injure, you can be suspended. The debate is long and ongoing about how to dole out suspensions and what garners a suspension and what doesn't. I won't go into that right now. Find any thread about suspensions, and join the discussion.

What needs to happen is for the league, and the NHLPA, to call for the rules to be enforced. It worked to eliminate the clutch and grab. There were not all that many rules added to eliminate it, they simply enforced the interference, hooking, and holding rules they already had.

Enforce the rules you have, and things calm down. At least a bit.

Eliminate One Specific Rule

Can you guess which one? That's right. The instigator rule. It is the worst thing that has happened to hockey since Jacques Lemaire perfected the trap. Fellow Wild blog Wild Puck asked today about The Code. The Code is supposed to make it clear to players that they must respect each other. It is the unwritten rules of any sport that are more important than the rules in the rule book. However, The Code is dead.

Gone are the days of bench clearing brawls, of knowing you were going to have to stare down Derek Boogaard if you crossed the line. Now, all you need to do is wait until Boogey is on the bench and take your shot. Not like Boogaard can jump the boards and come take you out. If he does, he gets suspended. So, you simply wait it out and take your shot when the scariest guy on the ice is James Sheppard.

If I am Ed Jovanovski, and I know that if I cross the line, no matter when or where, that all 6' 8" 275 lbs of Derek Boogaard are going to come crashing down on my head, I think twice. Andrew Ebbet gets put into the boards, or I poke check the puck away. Instead, Jovo has free reign to do anything he wants, knowing that the worst that will happen is he will need to rest his weary bones for a couple games.

Players are no longer allowed to police themselves. With less than five minutes left in a game, you no longer see the retribution doled out like in the old days. Now, it carries a suspension and a fine for the coach. So, no one does anything. By the time the next game comes around, the focus is back on getting the two points, and retribution can wait.

Why, you may ask. Why has The Code died? There is no simple answer other than: economics. Gary Bettman has decided it is more important to be able to market the game to people who have absolutely no interest in the game than it is to allow the players to play the game. Find yourself a non-hockey fan and ask them why they don't watch it. You will most likely find out that "they don't like the fighting." Despite the fact that the number of fights has plummeted, they still don't watch. They never will. So screw 'em. Stop catering to people who hate you.

But hold on a minute. We can't just get rid of people who hate the game and put the instigator rule to death. But Buddha, why not? Because there are hockey teams in non-traditional markets that are struggling. I know, here it comes. The "I'm a Minnesota hockey fan so I am so much better than you" right? Wrong.

The Coyotes have no corporate partners. Either do the Panthers or the Lightning. The institution of the instigator rule coincided with the expansion of the NHL into markets it did not need to be in. In order to garner the corporate partners it needed, the NHL need to get the violence under control. In doing so, the NHL killed The Code in order to make a buck.

They are now paying the price for that greed.

Players are dropping like flies. Concussions are clearly on the rise. There is no simple solution, and there will always be concussions in a game as fast and as physical as hockey. However, a combination of new protection, enforcement of rules, and elimination of the instigator penalties would certainly cut down on the bulk of them. Until they invent padded ice, something else needs to be done.

Got a better idea? Tell us about it.

-Buddha

Minnesota Wild vs. Boston Bruins: Game Recap

nathaneide — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:30:49 -0000

More photos » by Tom Olmscheid - AP

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Minnesota Wild 1-2 (so) Boston Bruins

Outshooting a team 29-16, only scoring once and not getting the two points brings a feeling of deja vu across the Wilderness.

Yes, the Wild were missing Brent Burns, Antti Miettinen, Martin Havlat, Petr Sykora and Pierre-Marc Bouchard to injury and Guillaume Latendresse to visa issues and still dominated the Bruins, but once again, they couldn't find the back of the net.

Tuukka Rask was outstanding tonight. He made at least four saves that he really had no business making, which could have easily busted the game wide open. Conversely, Niklas Backstrom made two exceptional saves in the third period and overtime that were worthy of end of the season highlight reels to keep the Wild in it.

The Wild came out like a team well-rested, even though they were missing five regulars. They controlled the play and outshot the Bruins 11-2 in the first frame. Unfortunately they just ran into a brick wall in Rask and Byron Bitz made the most of the only good scoring opportunity Boston had, tipping home a Derek Morris attempt.

The locker room in the first intermission must have been one of disappointment for not scoring on 11 shots, but the guys had to feel good that they were able to take it to one of the best teams in the East. The Wild came out firing again in the second period. They didn't quite get as many shots in the second as the first, but they were still controlling the play, and at 10:23 of the second, Andrew Ebbett brought the Xcel Energy crowd to its feet with a gorgeous redirect of a Kyle Brodziak shot and finally beat Rask. This power play goal was the kind that would normally open up the scoring. The Wild were dominating play and had finally broken through the wall. However, Rask was simply too tough tonight.

The third period was one in which the Wild controlled play early, then suddenly Boston seemed to realize that they were tied and took over the game, penning the Wild deep in their zone for most of the last ten minutes and until Dennis Wideman finally was whistled for high-sticking (he got away with another high-stick and a sucker punch earlier) then the Wild brought the pressure again, but it was too little too late as the Wild took too long setting up the power play and not enough time and effort on getting the puck to the net. When they finally did, they caused some problems for the Bruins and Andrew Brunette was staring a wide-open goal in the face, but couldn't control the puck and the Bruins cleared, ending the overtime.

The shootout was the most bothersome part for me. Mikko Koivu used pure power to put the puck through Rask to open the shootout, but Marek Zidlicky came up second and was stuffed (why is he in the shootout?), then Eric Belanger's attempt was gloved and Chuck Kobasew was stopped by Rask, making the David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron goals good enough to give the Bruins an undeserved two points.

It was a frustrating loss, considering how well the Wild played, until it came time to actually put the puck in the net. They seemingly don't have the finishers. Too many playmakers, not enough goal scorers. Maybe the return of Havlat and Sykora and bringing in Latendresse will alleviate this problem, but I haven't seen enough from Marty and Petr to make me think that is going to be the case.

Have a good Thanksgiving, and we'll see you on Friday at 1:00 for the first of a home and home with the Avalanche.

Please read the game recap over at Stanley Cup of Chowder

Hockey Wilderness Three Stars

Tuukka Rask (2 G)
Andrew Ebbett (1 G)
Byron Bitz (1 G)

Questions to Answer

How is Andrew Ebbett going to fit? One nice power play goal and great shifts tonight. Love the way this kid came out and brought it tonight. Let's hope he continues to do so.
How are Chuck Kobasew and Shane Hnidy going to react to playing against their old squad? Hnidy played with a bit of a mean streak tonight and looked solid. Kobasew had the chance to dagger the B's, but couldn't pull it off in the end.
Will Patrice Bergeron stay on his hot streak? Bergeron terrified me all night. It seemed like every time he was on the ice, he was ready to score. Let's hope Pierre-Marc Bouchard can look like this when he comes back from his concussion. That said, the Wild did a nice job keeping him off the scoresheet.
Can Andrew Brunette continue to play well and add to his point streak? (6 points in his last 6 games) Not sure how Bruno didn't score on the powerplay in overtime, but he just couldn't control the puck with a yawning cage in front of him.
Can the Wild get to Tuukka Rask? Afraid not. Rask was fantastic tonight. Absolutely fantastic.

Andrew Ebbett and Guillaume Latendresse: What's the effect?

nathaneide — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:49:47 -0000

by Paul Chiasson - AP

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In the last three days, the Minnesota Wild have added Andrew Ebbett off waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks and traded Benoit Pouliot to the Montreal Canadiens for Guillaume Latendresse. These moves are likely seen from the front office as a way to spark a rather anemic offense and to try to provide some change to a team that has been underperforming to the expectations set by the franchise and the fanbase.

We've already looked a bit deeper into Andrew Ebbett, and much has been said about Latendresse's lackluster performance in Montreal, culminating in this passage from Habs Eyes on the Prize

2009-10 was said to be a season in which Latendresse would finally surpass the 20 goal mark, which is still something noteworthy for depth player on teams thought to be playoff bound. After seasons of 16, 16 and 14 goals, much more was expected of the former second round pick.

What effect will adding Ebbett and Latendresse have on the Wild? Where will they fit in the lines? How will this affect the offense, and will they be the type of players to give their all on every shift, work hard in the offensive zone and get back to cover their defensive responsibilities? How will this change the

Ebbett seems to be a second or third line center. He'll likely fit with Cal Clutterbuck and will likely see Latendresse on his other wing. With these two coming in, it's already moved Nathan Smith back to Houston and will probably see Danny Irmen on his way out other, with Robbie Earl joining them if/when Chuck Kobasew, Petr Sykora and Pierre-Marc Bouchard return.

With everyone healthy, lines might look something like this:

Andrew Brunette - Mikko Koivu - Martin Havlat
Owen Nolan - Eric Belanger - Antti Miettinen
Guillaume Latendresse - Andrew Ebbett - Petr Sykora
Cal Clutterbuck - Kyle Brodziak - Chuck Kobasew

So, where does this leave PMB, should he ever return? What about Derek Boogaard? Can you move Robbie Earl back to Houston? Does James Sheppard fit anywhere? Obviously injuries have played a major role this season, but if everyone's healthy, there are simply too many spots, and not enough guys have proven that they are assured a spot in the lineup.

So Wilderness, give me your answers!

Question of the Day: What to do with Butch?

BReynolds — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:13:55 -0000

More photos » by Terry Gilliam - AP

I don't know what to say about this picture. Is Butch crying?

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Since the team does not seem interested in giving us anything new or interesting to write about, I am going to step back and look around for something, anything to keep us entertained.

Today, we look at Pierre-Marc Bouchard, and what his role is on this team, should he return anytime soon from his concussion.

Make the jump, and let's try to have some fun.

Let me preface this entire post with a couple things. First off, there has been absolutely no indication that Butch is ready to return. As a matter of fact, all indications are exactly the opposite, that he is still very far from even returning to skating, let alone practice or game play.

Second, I like Butch. I like the game he plays, and I like the dynamic he brings to an offense. He is a class act kind of guy, and has been a loyal member of this squad for a long time.

Now, that said, he has no role on this team. None that I can find anyway. He is a play making, pass first, try to set up the beautiful play kind of guy. The roster is full of them right now. Martin Havlat has gone from being held on high as the heir apparent to Gaby for putting points on the board, and that just has not happened. Havlat's game looks an awful lot like Bouchards, save for the spin-o-rama at the blue line. So, even if Bouchard is a master of the play making type, the Wild still really do not need him.

Should Bouchard magically reappear in the line-up, where do they put him? Does he skate at center, a position the Wild desperately need help with? What line does he fit with? Does he go back to wing? Which skater deserves to be dropped from the roster to make room for him?

Sheppard has had very public struggles, but plays on the fourth line. They cannot send Shep down without clearing waivers, and there is still some doubt he would clear. Even if he did, Does Brodziak deserve the demotion to fourth line? Does Belanger? Brodziak and Belanger have played pretty well thus far this season, despite Belanger having a recent slump. There is no way Butch deserves a spot at center on this roster. Not to mention that he has had no time to learn the position, as was the hope coming out of training camp, and the Wild cannot afford to have on the job training happening at such a vital position.

I would listen to the argument of moving Pouliot to the fourth line center position, giving Butch a role back on the wing. That situation still begs many questions. Pouliot is playing the best hockey of his career right now, as sad as that may be. Is it worth sending him to the fourth line to give Butch a spot? Does Pouliot deserve the demotion?

Butch cannot possibly be counted on in a checking line situation, so he would have to skate on one of the top two lines. Does he replace Miettinen of Brunette on Mikko's line? Does he skate opposite Havlat? Does he displace Owen Nolan down to a checking role? Can he even be mentioned as a replacement for Clutterbuck or Boogaard at this point?

Mikko's line has shown some good chemistry. The Belanger, Nolan, Havlat line has shown some spark, only to be doused by the wet blanket that is Marty Havlat. The line of Brodziak, Clutterbuck, (fill in random winger here) have shown they can play both ends of the ice.Boogaard has had so many scoring chances this season it seems only a matter of time before one goes in. Heck, even Robbie Earl has shown he can play. Kobasew is out, as is Sykora, two guys who by pdigree deserve a spot before Butch does. They alreay have John Scott fighting, literally and figuratively, to stay in the line-up.

This team still is not what it can be. They are playing better within the system, but are still a roller coaster. They have only put together a handful of 60 minute efforts, and have yet to discover a finisher. (A side note, if I were Robbie Earl, I would be shooting the puck every time I touched it, but that's just me.)

It looks to me like Bouchard adds little or nothing to the team, even when he does return. So, Wilderness readers, what is Butch's role on this team? Say he were to come back for the next game. Were does he skate? Who does he displace? Who goes back to Houston? Who sits in the press box to make room for him? How many more questions can I ask before I finish this post?

Later.

Buddha.

Daily Links: Koivu #1 star, Bouchard concussion update, Tom Powers rips Wild

nathaneide — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:05:42 -0000

Tom Powers: Wild create 18,000 puzzled viewers - TwinCities.com
This has been a very messy start for the Wild and their team of 18,000, which is holding firm but looking rather shaky over the long haul. So far, the Wild have taken to Todd Richards' new system about as well as Russians take to tobacco rationing.

Wednesday's Three Stars: Koivu leads; Mitchell blasts Toews - Puck Daddy - NHL - Yahoo! Sports
The newly-minted captain scored his third of the season on the power play to tie the game against the red-hot Colorado Avalanche at 15:09 of the third, and then beat Craig Anderson in the shootout to lead Minnesota to a 3-2 victory. He also assisted on Brent Burns's first of the season and played an outstanding overall game, as Minnesota snapped its five-game winning streak.

Game 9 Recap: Wild 3, Avalanche 2 (SO) - Mile High Hockey
Instead, we have to settle for the loser point. After a scoreless OT, the Avalanche couldn't get anything past Niklas Backstrom in the shootout. Craig Anderson only allowed one, but that was too much. The Wild got the win. We got what we deserved.

Wild 3, Avalanche 2 (SH); Slight Bouchard update | StarTribune.com
Talked to Pierre-Marc Bouchard up here in the pressbox tonight. It's going to be awhile still, although he is feeling a little better. But still headaches and concussion-like symptoms. He doesn't think his concussion from last season ever fully healed, and when he was cross-checked in the chin during the first exhibition game in September, he thinks it put him into a relapse of sorts. Now he's got to get symptom free.

Concussions? Check Your Headgear

DarrenM — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:00:41 -0000

by Winslow Townson - AP

Washington Capitals right wing Matt Bradley is one of a handful of NHL players to adopt the M11 helmet, designed to reduce brain trauma.

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It's October, and you know what's really hot this time of year? Concussions. Looking at the Sens, Ryan Shannon is out with what is believed to be a concussion, and Anton Volchenkov almost certainly gave one to Viktor Stalberg on Tuesday night. Jared Boll of the Blue Jackets, Derek Boogaard and Pierre-Marc Bouchard of the Wild, James Van Riemsdyk of the Philadelphia Flyers and Andreas Lilja of the Red Wings are just some of the other names currently sidelined with head injuries - and the season has only just begun.

I'm not going to lecture you too much about the seriousness of concussions - I'll leave that to the doctors and scientists who know far more about the topic. Also, I'm not going to get into the hits that cause them, because James Mirtle had a good, concise piece yesterday on hits that cause concussions. What I will say is that I'm blown away that despite around 7-12% of NHL players getting a concussion every season, and over 750 concussions having been recorded in the NHL since 1997, players aren't taking a very simple step to prevent this from happening to them: wearing a helmet designed to address this problem.

You possibly read on other websites about the M11 helmet that Mark Messier is promoting, or perhaps you heard him talking about it at great lengths during the Senators/Rangers game Saturday. According to Moose's most recent blog, only eleven NHL players are wearing this helmet (including two Senators: Chris Phillips, Jesse Winchester)

So, let's think this through: the odds of getting a concussion in today's NHL are dangerously high, and concussions have been known to ultimately end someone's career (not to mention the grave long-term effects they can have on other aspects of your life outside of sports). Furthermore, important players to a franchise can miss key games because of this, meaning its in the interest of coaches, GMs, and teammates that players are wearing the M11. And yet only eleven players are willing to wear a helmet that could be the difference? Is Don Cherry making fun of players who wear it, like he does for guys wearing visors? There's really no excuse to not be wearing one of these helmets - and I don't want to hear anyone say "Well, maybe they're uncomfortable." Yeah? So are seatbelts, but you're an idiot for not wearing those, too.

There's nothing macho about players who opt not to wear something that could save their careers, or even their lives. Coaches should be encouraging every player in the lineup to put on this helmet for the benefit of their franchise, and players should be sporting it for the sake of their career, their teammates, and most importantly - themselves and their families.

Daily Links: Puck Daddy loves Wild, Twins rub off on Wild, John Scott destroys George Parros and more

nathaneide — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:03:59 -0000

Puck Daddy Hockey Rumors Live Chat - Puck Daddy
At 12:00 CDT, Wysh and crew will host a live chat about all kinds of crap. Should be entertaining.

Tuesday's 3 Stars: Richards turns trick; Wild comeback - Puck Daddy
No. 2 Star: Andrew Brunette, Minnesota Wild

Speaking of Wysh, he gives the Wild a nice shout-out, thanks to John Scott's right cross

Fight Video: Down goes Parros, up goes Minnesota over Ducks - Puck Daddy
Occasionally in the NHL, we can surmise tangible proof that fighting has, as the proponents say, "a place in the game" beyond the obvious sideshow aspects. Sometimes it's as a deterrent, and other times it's like this John Scott(notes) fight for the Minnesota Wild against George Parros(notes) of the Anaheim Ducks: It's a team-wide kick in the pants.

Wild Stun Ducks - Our very own BReynolds at Prohockeynews.com
With rainy weather overtaking their pre-game celebration plans, the Wild opened the doors early to a handful of fans to come into the Xcel Energy Center to watch the hometown Twins play the Detroit Tigers on the scoreboard. With the game in the balance entering the ninth inning, the Wild made the call to pull the plug on the Twins game to go to the in-house feed. Boos rained down and most of the crowd made its way to the concourse to finish with the baseball game before worrying about the hockey game in front of them.

Ducks at Wild - 10/06/2009 - NHL.com
The Twins weren't the only Minnesota team to overcome a 3-0 deficit on Tuesday night.

Twin Comebacks
A night of comebacks in the Twin Cities, as Anaheim squandered a three-goal lead, losing in overtime and leaving Minnesota with one point.

Wild catches the fever for opener
This may be the state of hockey, but the Wild didn't mind accommodating dual loyalties on Tuesday. The team unlocked Xcel Energy Center at 4 p.m, more than four hours before the puck dropped on their home opener, so those hockey fans determined to will the Twins into the playoffs could indulge both of their passions in the same place.

Headaches sideline Bouchard
Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard was pulled from the lineup Tuesday night because of recurring headaches and will be evaluated for a concussion, said his agent, Allan Walsh.

Daily Links: Washington Capitals lead power ranking. Marian Gaborik fitting in in New York. Brent Burns Olympian?

nathaneide — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:09:27 -0000

More photos » by Gene J. Puskar - AP

2 months ago: New York Rangers Marian Gaborik, second from left, celebrates his third period goal with teammates Vinny Prospal (20), Brandon Dubinsky, center, and Matt Filroy, right, during a NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh Friday, Oct. 2, 2009. The Penguins won 3-2. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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SB Nation's NHL Power Rankings, Week 1: Capitals Claim Top Spot
Every Tuesday, SB Nation will present our weekly NHL Power Rankings as voted on by the writers for SB Nation Hockey. Powered by Alex Ovechkin the Washington Capitals have leaped into the top spot in our first official week of power rankings, despite impressive outings by Pittsburgh and Philadelphia over the weekend as well.

Wild Chat with Michael Russo | StarTribune.com
Make sure you're able to participate in the chat! I'll post a recap after.

Marian Gaborik paying quick dividends for New York Rangers
No one disputes Marian Gaborik's skill. It's his health that always seems to be the main topic when it comes to the sublimely skilled Slovak forward.

In fifth season, Koivu stands at center stage
In his native Finland, it's Mikko who's now the big deal. He is followed by paparazzi and graces the cover of Finland's version of EA Sports' "NHL 10" video game. Not only did Koivu lead the Wild in scoring last season, he had more points (67) than any Finnish NHLer.

Bouchard at center has its awkward moments
Todd Richards continues to give Pierre-Marc Bouchard every opportunity to seize the No. 2 center spot, but as the Wild coach showed during Saturday's season-opening 2-1 loss at Columbus, he won't delay giving Bouchard a seat on the bench either.

Hitchcock likes Burns for the Olympics
Choosing Canada's Olympic roster will fall largely onto the shoulders of executive director Steve Yzerman and head coach Mike Babcock, but if Ken Hitchcock was picking the team, it sounds like Brent Burns would be Vancouver-bound come February.

Briere stands out, Backlund doesn't in preseason finale

Travis Hughes — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:43:26 -0000

More photos » by H. Rumph Jr. - AP

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[Recap] - [Boxscore] - [Complete Coverage] - [Minnesota Coverage]

Danny Briere showed glimpses of his old self tonight at the Wachovia Center, scoring a goal during the game and the shootout, but it wasn't enough as the Minnesota Wild beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-4.

The loss was essentially on the back of goaltender Johan Backlund. Playing the second half of the game in relief of Ray Emery, Backlund allowed three of the four Wild goals, two of which were clearly his fault. He looked even worse in the shootout, stopping just one of four Minnesota attempts. But given that Backlund probably won't be staying with the big club long and thus won't be playing in many -- if any -- NHL games, his poor play wasn't the story tonight.

Instead, the big news out of tonight's game was the stellar performance of the offense. They threw 39 shots on Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom, and the attack was sustained throughout the entire hockey game. If it weren't for lights out netminding from Backstrom, the Flyers would have certainly ran away with the game. Instead, they were held at bay, but impressive performances by several players on the offensive side of the puck are what stand out on this night.

Briere was all over the ice, winning puck battles along the boards, making plays by himself, and most of all, showing off the unique passing ability the Flyers so greatly missed last season. He clearly looked like a player determined to put an injury-riddled season behind him.

Claude Giroux opened the scoring on a fluke goal a few minutes in. Mika Pyorala would make it 2-0 later in the period on a brilliant pass from Mike Richards. The top line, composed of Pyorala, Richards, and Simon Gagne, looked very much in sync tonight. They were dangerous seemingly every time they hit the ice.

Minnesota was down and out after a dominant Philadelphia first period, but it was one Wild player who would turn the game around. Shortly following a Martin Havlat goal on a broken play in front of Emery midway through the second period, Cal Clutterbuck, a player who fits the generic description of on-ice agitator, decided to mix things up with Dan Carcillo. Until this point, the Flyers had dictated the pace and the game was quiet on the physical front, but Clutterbuck's work got under the Flyers' skin and that pace took a complete 180-degree turn.

The festivities clearly gave the Wild new life, and shortly after, Minnesota was generating sustained pressure in the Philadelphia end. From there, it was only a matter of time until we had a tie game, and defenseman Brent Burns made it happen with a blazing slap shot from the top of the left faceoff circle. While Backlund most definitely should have stopped the shot, it was Clutterbuck who successfully got the Flyers off of their game, leading to the pressure and ultimately the goal.

In addition to his assist early in the game, Mike Richards showed off midseason form tonight. Like Briere, he would score a goal in both the game and the shootout, but the highlight of his night was a devastating hit on Wild center Eric Belanger. The 31-year-old Belanger should have known better than to have his head down while fumbling for the puck in the offensive zone, but apparently he didn't, and the Captain made him pay.

If you missed the video tonight or weren't at the game, it was a perfectly executed, perfectly clean hit -- and don't let anybody tell you otherwise. Still, those in the Wild camp were unhappy with the aftermath of the blow. Here's what Minneapolis Star-Tribune writer Michael Russo had to say about the reception of the hit from the Philly faithful.

They keep showing the Richards hit on Belanger on the jumbotron, much to the fans’ delight. Game ops people are as classy here in Philly.

Belanger was dazed and got up slowly, but he completed his shift and skated off on his own power. Given that news, why can't we revel in a perfectly legal aspect of the sport of hockey without the issue of classlessness being raised? When Kimmo Timonen was railed into the ice during last year's playoffs, it replayed several times on NBC's coverage of the game, and we never once brought up the subject of classlessness. Of course, we all know why comments like this are made. If this weren't Philadelphia, I sincerely doubt it'd be mentioned.

Richards would score his goal on a beautifully executed cross-ice pass from Gagne. Trailing the play, Richards snuck in behind the defense and found twine with his one-time shot.

The low-light of the night came early in the third period. Braydon Coburn must have ticked off the wrong old man, because after a little battle along the endboards with 37-year-old Owen Nolan, the two dropped the gloves. Soon after, Nolan dropped Coburn with a left and down he went. Embarrassing, and Minnesota even got a power play out of the deal.

On that ensuing power play, Clutterbuck would ram home a pass from Pierre-Marc Bouchard to tie the score at three. The Flyers would then control most of the period before an unfortunate bounce off the skate of Ryan Parent found the back of the net, giving Minnesota the lead. Briere would tie it on a heads-up play in front of Backstrom, picking up a loose rebound, circling behind the net, and depositing the rubber into an empty goal before the goalie even knew what was going on.

The 4-4 game would find its way to a shootout, despite a Peco Power Play in overtime. Richards and Briere each scored, but the Wild would take the win thanks to Backlund's ugly play at the other end.

Minnesota Wild @ Philadelphia Flyers: Game Recap

nathaneide — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:51:54 -0000

More photos » by H. Rumph Jr. - AP

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Minnesota Wild 5-4 (so) Philadelphia Flyers

The Minnesota Wild rebounded from a very weak first period to score two in the second period and two in the third period before Antti Miettinen won the game 5-4 in the shootout over the Philadelphia Flyers in the last preseason warmup for the Wild before starting the 2009-2010 season in Columbus on Friday.

The Wild went three for three in their first shootout of the preseason, with Mikko Koivu and Martin Havlat also scoring. Havlat also scored in regulation, along with Cal Clutterbuck, Brent Burns and James Sheppard. This was the type of offensive game the Richards regime had been touting since taking over. Minnesota was outshot by the Flyers 35-24, but the Wild made the most of their shots, with a high percentage coming in good scoring position.

Mikko Koivu and Andrew Brunette made the most of their first game action of the preseason with Koivu netting two assists to go along with his shootout goal. Petr Sykora and Pierre-Marc Bouchard also played the first games after missing the last three with injuries.

To me, the most impressive sign of the preseason has to be the play of James Sheppard. He's better on the faceoff, seems more poised than he has in the past, and is clearly building upon a positive streak from the end of last season. He's ready to take more of a role on the team, and is still very, very young. The kid is showing signs that he's ready to be the #2 centerman on the team, but will likely not take that spot until later in the season. Tonight, on an evening where many guys were -2 or worse, Sheppard not only played the offensive game with a goal and an assist, but also played the defensive game, and is definitely learning from watching Mikko Koivu.

Oh, and if anyone is paying attention to who the igniter on this team is, Russo nailed it again.

Cal Clutterbuck, MVP that period. Just woke the boys up.

Afterward, Wild coach Todd Richards — no relation to Mike Richards — raved and raved after Clutterbuck. He called his energy a momentum-shifter, said he’s been one of the better players positionally on the defensive end of the puck and loves the offense he’s bringing.

The Wild clearly need to shore up the defensive side of the game. Yes, Philadelphia will be a good offensive teams, and clearly isn't opposed to peppering the goaltender with shots from anywhere inside the blue line, but this isn't a Jacques Lemaire team anymore, and it's clear. During the preseason, Minnesota has allowed more quality shots than I have seem them allow in this kind of stretch in a very long time. Granted, much of that has to do with learning a new system and concentrating on the two-man forecheck and skating the puck out of the zone, but they need to do a better job with learning when to take a chance and when to play within the system.

This is going to be a season of ups and downs, but if they can play more games like tonight and fewer like the games at Columbus and at Chicago, things will be looking up toward the end of the season.

So, who leads the team? Well, according to Russo

Biggest news from the morning skate was that coach Todd Richards told me he won’t name a captain before the season. He says the decision is too important and he’ll evaluate as the season starts. This obviously has a lot to do with Mikko Koivu and Andrew Brunette — the two frontrunners — being hurt for most of training camp and only playing their first games tonight against the Big, Bad Flyers.

Hockey Wilderness Three Stars

Brent Burns (1 G, 2 A)
Mikko Koivu (2 A)
James Sheppard (1 G, 1 A)

Questions to Answer

Can the Wild get into the flow of the new offense? 4 goals. It took them a period to get into the flow, but they ended up with the win.
Can John Scott get a hang of playing wing? Certainly doesn't seem like it, then again he had a 10 minute misconduct half-way through the second so he missed a few shifts in there. He ended up with only 5:12 TOI. I'd expect him to be back at D, I hope.
Will this be the opening day lineup? I would think so, minus probably Scott, but with Boogaard on the IR to start the season, who knows?
Does the offense start to click? They certainly looked good tonight, now to work on chemistry, there clearly wasn't a lot out there.
Can Mikko Koivu get a jump-start into the season? I'd say so. Looked good with the puck, better without it, and his added weight and upper-body strength wears well.