Meltdown in St. Paul
Posted 9:56 AM ET | Comments 0
The Minnesota seemed poised to win their first game post all star break against the Nashville Predators. Dany Heatley scored two goals in the first, the second being a pretty power play goal in which he grabbed it and as he was dropping it to the ice, swatted it out of midair into the net.
The first period was all Wild, the unleashed a relentless forecheck that led to several chances to increase their score, but to no avail. It seemed as if the entire period was played in Nashville's zone. Nashville did manage a few scoring chances, but nothing consistent.
The second seemed like a neutral zone chess match with each team waiting for the other to make a mistake. Each managed 1 goal each and it was the epitome of a trap vs trap game, minimal scoring chances, but each getting a goal.
Brodziak made it 4-1 seconds into the third period and it seemed that the Wild were well on their way to a victory. Nashville managed a goal off of a review that I honestly didn't think impacted the game much. The Wild held off the Predators attack for the next 3 minutes or so and managed to dwindle the clock a few minutes without Nashville scoring again. Hornqvist scored with just under 4 minutes to play on a goal that I argue should have been blown dead. Harding had the puck under his glove and Hornqvist did exactly what he should do, he swiped at it and eventually knocked it in. I contend that the refs should have blown it dead because, well because the refs always seem to blow it dead. Though that goal changed the dynamics, I don't think the refs played a role in the next two goals. Fisher scored his first of two goals on a pretty setup from Wilson that Harding never had a chance on and netted his second goal and eventual game winner from the half boards that has no business going in, ever. However, the goal ended it and the fans laid out a collective boo.
Despite the loss, I think there are things the Wild can point to for a serious playoff push. First, Heatley is starting to get going and the Wild need that. Second and more important, a loss like this should either get them going or this will be the beginning of their downfall. I think they'll get it rolling and get into the playoffs with the potential to upset their first round opponent. The last time I witnessed a meltdown in St. Paul, the Chicago Blackhawks parlayed a 4 point lead into a shootout loss. No, the Wild are not the Blackhawks by any stretch, but I do feel they can use this as a learning experience and motivation moving forward.
The first period was all Wild, the unleashed a relentless forecheck that led to several chances to increase their score, but to no avail. It seemed as if the entire period was played in Nashville's zone. Nashville did manage a few scoring chances, but nothing consistent.
The second seemed like a neutral zone chess match with each team waiting for the other to make a mistake. Each managed 1 goal each and it was the epitome of a trap vs trap game, minimal scoring chances, but each getting a goal.
Brodziak made it 4-1 seconds into the third period and it seemed that the Wild were well on their way to a victory. Nashville managed a goal off of a review that I honestly didn't think impacted the game much. The Wild held off the Predators attack for the next 3 minutes or so and managed to dwindle the clock a few minutes without Nashville scoring again. Hornqvist scored with just under 4 minutes to play on a goal that I argue should have been blown dead. Harding had the puck under his glove and Hornqvist did exactly what he should do, he swiped at it and eventually knocked it in. I contend that the refs should have blown it dead because, well because the refs always seem to blow it dead. Though that goal changed the dynamics, I don't think the refs played a role in the next two goals. Fisher scored his first of two goals on a pretty setup from Wilson that Harding never had a chance on and netted his second goal and eventual game winner from the half boards that has no business going in, ever. However, the goal ended it and the fans laid out a collective boo.
Despite the loss, I think there are things the Wild can point to for a serious playoff push. First, Heatley is starting to get going and the Wild need that. Second and more important, a loss like this should either get them going or this will be the beginning of their downfall. I think they'll get it rolling and get into the playoffs with the potential to upset their first round opponent. The last time I witnessed a meltdown in St. Paul, the Chicago Blackhawks parlayed a 4 point lead into a shootout loss. No, the Wild are not the Blackhawks by any stretch, but I do feel they can use this as a learning experience and motivation moving forward.