Today – a blustery Valentine’s Day in the State of Hockey – love was not quite in the air. The Wild hosted their bitterest rival, the Vancouver Canucks, for their final game before the two-week Olympic break. As the pre-game montage made very clear (“Let’s welcome the team we love to hate!…Or not…”) this game was going to be a physical, glove-dropping type contest, and it was. In a 6-2 lashing handed out by the Wild, I witnessed two fights, Roberto Luongo’s Olympics starting early, and a great way to kick off the break.

Also today was the debut of the Wild’s new blueline acquisition, Cam Barker, a pick-up from Chicago for defensemen Kim Johnsson and Nick Leddy, both who will not be missed much. Barker was one of six Wild players to score today (the other five were Kyle Brodziak, Cal Clutterbuck, Andrew Brunette, Marek Zidlicky, and one of my favorites Guillaume Latendresse) and was quite well received by the fans. I was apart of the largest crowd of the season at Xcel Energy Center, totaling 19,342. Along with the heaps of goals were two fights – one by the youngster James Sheppard and the other by Derek Boogaard. Chances are you know him as “Boogey” or “The Boogeyman.”

All in all, the game was fantastic. There is no doubt that games against the Canucks are always battles – this team is the Wild’s prime rival despite being in the league three times longer than Minnesota. Better yet, Luongo has been pulled in his last two starts at the X. After dropping two at home against the Coyotes and the Thrashers, the Wild put on a show today in one of the best games I’ve ever attended.

But the true spirit of the Olympics was somehow present, even through a chippy game like this. Prior to the ceremonial puck drop (by a few of the 1960 gold-medal-winning men’s USA squad), flag bearing kids held hockey sticks with the Canucks and the Wild Olympians’ native flags tied to the blades. Each of the twelve Olympians’ names were called, and then they skated over to their respective country’s flag. It was quite the tribute, and us Minnesotans showed nice sportsmanship by not booing any of the Canucks’ Olympians. The Wild are sending five to the 2010 Games: Mikko Koivu, Antti Miettinen, and Niklas Backstrom for Finland, along with Martin Havlat and Marek Zidlicky for the Czech Republic.

That’s all for two weeks, and let the (Olympic) Games begin!

State of the Union – Well, let’s just say it’s not looking so nice. The Wild are in 13th place (cringe) Conference-wise, and it’ll take an absolute miracle for any type of playoff run. I guess you could call this season an experiment. Next year? Perhaps.

Games on the Record – Two consecutive losses at Xcel Energy Center are rare for the Wild, but that’s what happened prior to today’s whooping of the Canucks. With a win, they’ll head to the Olympic break and play Calgary and Edmonton in early March.

Trades – As I mentioned before, Kim Johnsson is gone (hallelujah) along with his $5.3 million salary and the Wild’s first round draft pick in 2009, Nick Leddy. For this we received Cam Barker, who already has a goal under his belt for the Wild. I’m hearing things about possibly acquiring Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp this summer.

Injuries – Niklas Backstrom may finally be all better, as he played phenomenally today. Anton Khudobin’s hip is injured, however. Other than the usuals (Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Chuck Kobasew, Clayton Stoner), our goalies are the only ones who are consistently banged up.

Hot/Not – The whole team was on fire today. No exceptions.

Written by :

Ms. Wild