The big rig rolls on home ice

This is one fan that did not see it coming and apparently there are a few teams in the National Hockey League that have been caught off-guard as well. The hole that was dug by the Minnesota Wild early in the season seemed way too deep to motor out of, but it seems as if the team that should be known as the 'big rig' has not only surfaced, but has also left a few victims on the ice at the X. If ever there was a team that has perfected the art of the on-ice hit-and-run, the Wild is that team. They come out of nowhere, strike hard, and are long gone before you realize what has happened.

This big Minnesota rig began its steamrolling ways during its most recent home-stand, exiting with a perfect 4-0 record. But stating the obvious and searching no further than the record would be selling the team short. The only way to give this accomplishment its due justice would be to take a deeper look into the manner in which it was done. The games ranged from perfecting their style of play that has electrified the X crowd to faltering at times during games, only to mount unimaginable comebacks. In the process, Minnesota, which is again one of the hottest teams in the league, discarded two of the top teams in the Northwest Division, rallied from a huge third period deficit to defeat the top team in the league, and in the end, out-paced last seasons Stanley Cup Champions.

Minnesota started the roll by defeating the Calgary Flames 4-1 in what was perhaps their best all-around team effort in over a month. Top to bottom, everybody on the roster played solid. The next game had the same results for the team, 2 points earned, but followed a path much different. Down 5-1 in the final period, the Wild made an unbelievable comeback, scoring 3 goals in a span of just over 2 minutes and added one with under 2 minutes left, and took the game into overtime and a shootout, where they outlasted the Hawks in 8 rounds. It was the largest comeback in franchise history and one that had not been done league wide for a couple of seasons. The next victim to come to town were the reigning league champions, and along with it, Sid the Kid. Fortunately for Wild fans, it was the home-town teams newest addition who was the better player, as Guillaume Latendresse netted 4-points on a goal and 3 assists, and led Minnesota to a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Finally, it was the hated Vancouver Canucks standing in the way of the Big Rig...and they too fell victims of the hit-and-run, both figuratively and literally. The Wild , despite taking the middle period off, managed 3 third period goals and claimed the teams first four-game home winning streak of the season. However, it was the punishing punches by big John Scott to the head of Alexandre Bolduc during a fight in the final period that really capped the big rig's 4-game home-stand.

The end results of this out-of-control steamrolling team, once thought of as league bottom dwellers, are 2 points, as in only 2 points out of the Western Conference playoff picture.

Alumni needed for change

Of the 4 major league sport organizations, the NHL has always been and continues to be the one lagging behind the others in public relations and exposure. There are times when it is almost as if we are cheering for a 'B' league, much like in the motion picture industry, upon releasing a box-office flop, immediately sends the movie to DVD. Fortunately for NHL fans, in spite of the bone-headed decisions and lack of action by the top brass, we are still able to see games live. But in the future, if things continue to head south the way I believe it is going, we may have to visit our nearest rental store in order to see a game. Soccer we are not, but if you take a step back and examine how the NHL operates, one might consider this league on par with the many failed 'football' leagues of this country.

Positive publicity and exposure is what is craved by the NHL. But instead, the league continues to lick their wounds because of what comes down from the top, as in the commissioners office. Bad decisions and lack of action is what is killing this league. The latest 'catch phrase' seems to be the 'head-shot', or hits to the head. Players are dropping at record rates this season because of concussion problems, yet the league continues to ignore the issue. If they are not turning a blind eye, they are sweeping it under the rug, to use a couple of phrases that do fit accordingly. And nobody is doing anything about it. The leaders say all of the right things, but then turn around and dismiss an obvious intent to injure play with no significant or meaningful penalty. The General Managers meet but fail year after year to come out of their retreats with any real solutions. The players vent and spew about change but still, nothing gets done. It is as if the 'head-shots' have worked their way into the game and have taken such a stronghold that ridding the game of them may be as difficult as eliminating fighting.

The solution is really simple. Because of the lack of action by anybody and everybody involved, it is time for the NHL alumni to get involved. Fans need ex-players such as Jeremy Roenick, Brett Hull, & Chris Chelios to stand up...the time has come to start a campaign to eliminate the most cowardly and dirty play in the game, the play that is ruining the game.

It is unfortunate that two of the top executives running the league (Gary Bettman & Colin Campbell) are not fit to run a lemonade stand on the street corner...let alone the NHL.

Hockey day Minnesota

To the right you will find the complete schedule for our state hockey day that will take place on January 23. It is a one-of-a-kind event that is very unique to our state and one that shows that this truly is the State of Hockey. You can read the complete release by clicking here.

Most useless stat

I heard it uttered again during last nights game against the Canucks by Wild play-by-play guy Dan Terhaar...and I fail to see any significance to the stat and numbers whatsoever. The Wild are 5-3-1 in the first game of back-to-back games. And what is the significance of that stat? There was no mention of the teams record in the second game of back-to-back games, although I don't think that stat serves much use either and is over-used and anylized. The fact is that all teams are in the same boat as far as playing back-to-back games at home, on the road, or a home-road split.