It had to happen sometime (State of Hockey update 10/25/07)
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Last night was tough, real tough. I'm not disappointed they lost. It's hard to be. They have the best record in the NHL at 7-1-0-1. I love how they've been playing so far this season. They've been more physical, and have been able to win games in the 3rd Period, despite being outplayed most of the game.
What I'm disappointed in today is how they lost. It looked like another example of how hot the Wild are this season, as they started the game 3-0 with all three goals scored in the first ten minutes, starting with two power play goals. Brian Rolston and Mark Parrish scored on the power plays, with Wes Walz scoring to bring it to 3-0.
The guys on WCCO Radio last night were right. Being up 3-0 so quickly is a real dangerous thing. On one hand, it shows they can dominate the game from the start, but on the other side, it leads to cockiness. It’s true in any sport. You can start out to any lead you want, but unless you can stay hot for the entire game, it won’t matter.
Parrish put it best:
"This brings you back down to earth quick," Parrish said. "It's a humbling game, it really is. Just when you think you have everything figured out, something like that comes along and bites you."[1]
Besides the game, there is one major thing that concerns me about the wild so far. Marian Gaborik has one goal so far this season. This guy is supposed to be the spark of the team, the superstar, the guy who gets it done, but he has one goal. Lemaire needs to figure out why Gabby is not scoring more, and try and fix it. His shooting percentage is the lowest of all wild players with at least one goal at 2.8%. That’s pathetic. He has to be able to make the shots when they are presented for him. In the short term, the Wild can make do without his input, but in the long term, when they’re stuck in grind-it-out games with playoff worthy teams, there needs to be that guy to turn to who can make something out of nothing, and that needs to be him.=20072008&service=page]
What I’ve liked so far this year is how the Wild have won so many games in the third period. This has been a problem in the past, along with the physicality of the play last season. I’ve noticed dramatic changes in both of these things this season, and it’s been extremely pleasant for at least one Minnesota team to be able to come through and rally late to win games. The players have really stepped up the intensity this season, which is one of the biggest reasons why the Wild have gotten off to such a hot start. I’m looking forward too going down to the Excel Energy Center this spring to watch a playoff game (playoffs?).
