Minnesota Wild: Amazing Save by Josh Harding

Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding makes an amazing save as he robs Jakub Voracek. By the way, Harding is leading the NHL in shutouts and goals against average. Harding was also named one of the "Three Stars" for the month of November.

Saturday Links: Game Day

Here's a few links for you to look at before you head to the game.

St. Lawrence Pastes North Dakota: Grand Forks, ND – The mood was very somber after last night’s non-conference... http://t.co/UNhtbvnnDt
— Inside Hockey (@insidehockey) November 30, 2013

NCHC Hockey: Breaking Down the Numbers - http://t.co/DJWfrpEkwk #RileyBarber #SamBrittain pic.twitter.com/50WrkJZGYj
— THW Hockey (@HockeyLinks) November 30, 2013

#hockey NCAA Hockey: Is it Time for Neutral Officials for Non-conference Match-ups? http://t.co/lkdHNZR0sW
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) November 27, 2013

NCHC weekend update with updated stats, standings, recaps/box scores from last night's games & more http://t.co/awmS3zGYo8 #NCHCHockey
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) November 30, 2013

Friday night rewind by @SchlossmanGF: http://t.co/KW9go1JrmM
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) November 30, 2013

Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche: Game Preview http://t.co/xMvskhoy3n
— Hockey Wilderness (@hockeywildernes) November 30, 2013

Douglas Cutler Wrote: - http://t.co/EhXuKTF2cB #MichiganWolverines #MinnesotaGoldenGophers #OhioStateBuckeyes ... pic.twitter.com/NP0tTo6qQz
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) November 29, 2013

"The negativity in this town ----- " "@waynenelsongf: Not a good night for UND athletics pic.twitter.com/YDLwN5Jz75”
— Tom Miller (@tommillergf) November 30, 2013

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• NCAA Hockey: Is it Time for Neutral Officials for Non-conference Match-ups? (thehockeywriters.com)

Minnesota Wild: Zach Parise tell the Injury Ninja to kiss off

#MNwild lines in warm ups: Parise-Koivu-Coyle Niederreiter-Haula-Pominville Heatley-Brodziak-Zucker Cooke-Konopka-Mitchell
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) November 29, 2013

Apparently, former Fighting Sioux All-American forward Zach Parise has a very high tolerance to pain and will be playing in tonight's game against the Colorado Avalanche. Originally, Parise was slated to be out 2-3 weeks. This is good news for the Minnesota Wild.

Parise on line rushes w first line. Haula centering line 2. Fontaine indeed the scratch if Parise feels he can go, which he does :) #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) November 29, 2013

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• Zach Parise's Injury Scare in St. Louis (thehockeywriters.com)
• Injured Wild forward Zach Parise skating in practice today (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Phoenix Coyotes @ Minnesota Wild: Game Preview (hockeywilderness.com)
• Zach Parise injury: Wild forward out 2-3 weeks with foot contusion (sbnation.com)

Minnesota Wild: Injury Ninja visits Wild again

You have to watch out for the Injury Ninja. According to Pro Sports Daily, Mikael Granlund is out with a concussion after missing two-games due to another injury. Granlund’s game lasted a whole 29-seconds.

Pro Sports Daily -- "I feel horrible for him," Zucker said. "It's a battle, and I hope he gets better soon and can figure it out quickly, because that's not something anyone wants to see happen to anybody.

"Coach Mike Yeo termed it an upper body injury but said it has been nagging for at least the past three games. Granlund was cleared to play Wednesday for the first time in a week, but it came with a warning.

"He was cleared to play with the idea that we wanted to be careful and think about the big picture," Yeo said.

"Sometimes things happen."Yeo didn't want to look ahead to next week, when Granlund will be eligible to come off injured reserve.He said the team has been looking daily for too long at whether Granlund would play, so now they want to give him some time off.

"Could I sit here in hindsight and wish he didn't play? Of course," Yeo said. "But when a guy is cleared to play, what are you going to do? Are you going to say no?" - See more at:

According to Michael Russo, Minnesota Wild forward Mikael Granlund has been put on the injured reserve and is expected to miss about three games, probably more. This isn't good news for the Minnesota Wild.

Injured Wild forward Zach Parise skating in practice today

Unbelievable. Zach Parise is skating in line rushes with the Wild. pic.twitter.com/oREXBG4wnc
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) November 27, 2013

Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise is supposed to be out 2-3 weeks with a lower body injury and he's taking part in practice today. Unreal! Those former North Dakota Hockey Players are tough.

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Top-eight teams in the NHL

Check out the top-eight teams in the NHL so far. The Minnesota Wild are ranked sixth right now. The Boston Bruins have the best goals against, before tonight's game. Top-seven teams are western teams.

Amazing save by Josh Harding: Avoidance of the subject

You should never get to high or too low. Josh Harding is a perfect example of this. Last year, Harding was diagnosed with M.S. and ended up missing most of the season. He came back and played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks.  Now, this year, he's the Minnesota Wild starter. I don't think it's a stretch to say that Harding could be an All-Star.

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• Fantasy Hockey: Josh Harding Makes it Look Easy (thehockeywriters.com)

Are the Wild a soft team?

English: Kadri at the 2010 world juniors (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

From Michael Russo's blog today. Russo asked Yeo about the Wild being called a quote-unquote “soft” team.

“First off, obviously who’s the first [player] to jump on top of him [Kadri]?” Yeo said. “[Ryan] Suter. So to say that we didn’t do anything, that’s false actually. And if you want to get into it, it’s this simple really: They’ve got [Colton] Orr on the bench, they’ve got [Fraser] McLaren (he actually didn’t play, so I’m not positive whom Yeo meant), they’ve got [Mark Fraser]. They’ve got one after another. So if we go after Kadri, well, are they going to go after Konopka? No. They’re going to go after one of our top guys. They’ve got more down the line where they can keep playing that game.

“So where we have to be better is on the power play. Teams have to be afraid to pull that crap on us [because] they’re fearful of our power play. But at the same time, what I like is that our guys continued to play the game. I’ll take exception with anybody that tries to call us soft because that’s not true. Where it’d be soft is if they tried to have a physical impact on us. And as far as I’m concerned, we raised our game. And that to me is tough[ness]. It’s a different type of tough.

I think there's a good point here. Does Ryan Suter beat the crap out of Nazem Kadri and negate the power play or do the Minnesota Wild wait and pick a time to challenge Kadri later in the game. I say take the power play. The best way to make the Leafs pay is on the power play in that situation. Also, the Toronto Maple Leafs are full of cement heads and the Wild only have Zenon Konopka and Clayton Stoner, there's not a lot of other fighters on the Wild. That's not their game. I don't think their a soft team either.

Maple Leafs' Kadri suspended three games for Bush League hit (Video)

First, I was out of town and away from the computer, but this hit did get my ire. I don't like this hit one bit, it's a dangerous hit and it's unneeded. In my opinion, the headline should read, Maple Leafs' forward Kadri suspended five games for bush league hits. Second, why isn't there any supplemental discipline for the hit on Minnesota Wild forward Mikael Granlund? That's a dirty hit in my opinion as well. I don't know, maybe I am not looking at this objectively because I am Wild fan? Thoughts on this?

But I digress.

Nazem Kadri's hit on Niklas Backstrom is a chicken wing elbow. Anytime a player extends the elbow like this, it's intentional. I don't care what the players says at his hearing. The NHL has suspended Nazem Kadri three-games for his elbow on Backstrom.  Also, watch the suspension video, it's utter crap. I would use another word, but it's now a word that is used on this blog.

Wild sit in 7th Place in the West

The Minnesota Wild have gone 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, won three in a row and still only sit in 7th place. The Wild west is tight again this season.

Related articles

• Wilderness Walk: 11-6-2013: Curb-Stomp Edition (hockeywilderness.com)
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Minnesota Wild: Parise Leads the Wild past the Flames with two goals

Former Fighting Sioux Forward Zach Parise is having a good season with the Minnesota Wild. Tonight he was on fire as he led the Minnesota Wild past the Calgary Flames when he scored (2g-1a—3pts). On the season, Parise has (8g-6a—14pts) in 16 games. His line mate Mikko Koivu also had (1g-2a—3pts) as well.

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Brandon Saad's spin-o-rama sets up Patrick Kane goal

s/t to sporting news. What a dirty goal. This spin-o-rama move would make Dennis Savard proud. This goal in the third period gave the Chicago Blackhawks a 4-1 lead and broke the Minnesota Wild's back.

Minnesota Wild: Brodin picks shield over the bird cage

Brodin decided to go with the bubble over the cage. Better vision. pic.twitter.com/SZejueZDv0
— Matt Benz (@benznasty) October 28, 2013

Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin has decided to go with the shield instead of the bird cage. According to Michael Russo, Brodin skated today. Hopefully, the Wild defenseman will return to the lineup soon.

Jonas Brodin skated on his own again today and his face is apparently still swollen, so it’s uncertain if he’ll practice Wednesday yet (Wild has the day off tomorrow). Charlie Coyle is improving and hopes to play Friday, but he said understandably he will only do so if he’s 100 percent. Keith Ballard and Mike Rupp again practiced today.

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• Free Jonas Brodin (hockeywilderness.com)
• No Sophomore Slump for Jonas Brodin (thehockeywriters.com)
• Wilderness Walk: 10-24-2013: Game Day Edition (hockeywilderness.com)
• NHL season preview: Three big questions facing the Minnesota Wild (hockeywilderness.com)

Zach Parise goal versus Chicago

s/t Fell0096 Minnesota Wild Forward Zach Parise scores his sixth goal of the season to give the Minnesota Wild a 1-0 lead in the first period of tonight's game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Minnesota Wild: Revisiting the Justin Fontaine Question: Oh yeah! He's scores again (Video)

Nothing beats the taste of sweet vindication. I wish I had made some bets on this one. Former Minnesota Duluth Bulldog Justin Fontaine is giving the Minnesota Wild reasons to keep him in the line up. Fontaine has played in 10 games so far and has scored (2g-0a—2pts) so far this season and he’s a plus +5. Last Summer, I wrote this.

Hockey Wilderness -- Based on what I had seen over the years, Justin Fontaine is a very skilled, crafty, offensive-minded forward with a knack for the net. Fontaine has above average speed and is a very good skater. He is a forward that you can't leave alone unchecked in the slot, and is dangerous on the power-play.

The knock on Fontaine according to Hockey's Future, "He is a little undersized for the NHL level." This shouldn't matter in today's NHL based the new rules that focus on the obstruction and protecting the puck carrier.

So, many college hockey fans in the State of Hockey want to know, will this be the year that Justin Fontaine finally makes the Minnesota Wild and dons the Wild sweater?

My question is, why not? Why is it that every time someone is called up to the Minnesota Wild, Fontaine is over looked? In his two season with the Houston Aeros, he has finished second and first in scoring, two seasons in a row, respectively. I guess only time will tell, if Justin Fontaine makes the Minnesota Wild roster.

ahem, http://t.co/8OjEp4C6RH
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) October 23, 2013

Please feel free to tell me where I am wrong. I love a good debate.  Got to love those ex-college hockey players.

Brock Nelson Scores First NHL goal

Former UND forward Brock Nelson scored his first NHL goal tonight against the Vancouver Canucks. assisting on the Nelson goal was Peter Regin and former Minnesota Wild forward Cal Clutterbuck. So far in five-games this season, Nelson has scored (1g-1a—2pts).

Peter Regin and Cal Clutterbuck pick up the assists on Brock Nelson's goal at 2:26 of the 1st period. #Isles 1, #Canucks 0
— NYIslanders (@NYIslanders) October 22, 2013

#Isles Goal! @Bnelson with his 1st career @NHL Goal and the #Isles are up 1-0!
— NYIslanders (@NYIslanders) October 22, 2013

Minnesota Wild: Matt Cooke scores his first goal as a Wild

I am actually surprised that Matt Cookes' shot off of the foot counted as a goal.

At 1:04 of the first period in the Kings/Wild game, video review confirmed the referee's call on the ice that Kyle Brodziak's shot deflected off Matt Cooke's skate and into the net in a legal fashion. The determining factor was that the speed of the puck propelled it into the net and that Cooke's skate only redirected it. According to Rule 49.2 "A puck that deflects into the net off an attacking player's skate who does not use a distinct kicking motion is a legitimate goal." Good goal Minnesota.

Thursday Dreaming: Hockey Season is Here

Change is the theme around the UND locker room this year.

#hockey UND Hockey: A Season of Change http://t.co/X2hf6MQbg2
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) October 3, 2013

The Minnesota Wild have resigned Jason Pominville to a nice contract.

Jason Pominville signs 5-year extension with the Minnesota Wild http://t.co/GU1rctfwM4
— Hockey Wilderness (@hockeywildernes) October 3, 2013

Why he's great MT @FaberBrandon: Jonathan Toews spent today sharing the Stanley Cup w/ 200+ residents @ Misericordia pic.twitter.com/6IdaEAGzuz
— Mike McMahon (@MikeMcMahonCHN) October 3, 2013

It's officially hockey season UND fans! I talk to Hakstol, Rocco, Simpson, Mark Mac, Saunders, and Mattson here>> http://t.co/bFPEqSfC1l
— Dan Corey (@DanCorey8) October 3, 2013

Simpson is UND's youngest player to wear the "C" since Greg Johnson in 91-92 (10th youngest in UND history)
— Dan Corey (@DanCorey8) October 3, 2013

Today's story on @UNDMHockey as they prepare for their first year in the @TheNCHC http://t.co/ZQfVptMaGM
— Beth Hoole (@bethhooleVNL) October 3, 2013

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• Jason Pominville Trade Shouldn't Factor in Extension Talks (hockeywilderness.com)
• Is Charlie Coyle Destined for Greatness? (thehockeywriters.com)
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Matt Cooke trying to change the minds of the fans in the State Hockey

Matt Cooke of the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I am sure we're going to see a bunch of these types of articles leading up to the season. Needless to say, I am not all that thrilled about him being a member of the Minnesota Wild.

Jess Myers, 1500ESPN.com -- "He was pretty dirty," Parise said. "He got under your skin, and he's got that ability to take your focus off the game and off scoring goals, and he puts your focus on him. That's a good trait to have, and that's a good player for us to have."

A quick check of Cooke's online bio shows nearly as many NHL suspensions for dirty and dangerous plays as trips to the playoffs. It also shows a Stanley Cup ring that Cooke won with the Penguins (who had an assistant coach named Mike Yeo back then) in 2009. Still, over the summer when the Wild inked Cooke to a free agent pact, the reaction of some fans was akin to announcing that a tried and true goon like Ulf Samuelsson, or Todd Bertuzzi or Chris Simon (again) would be wearing green and red.

"I understand their reaction. I don't blame them for it, and they're entitled to it," said Cooke on Sunday. "But I'm a different player now, and somehow, some way, with this being the State of Hockey, I believe if for some reason I was on this side doing the same things, they'd be loving me. So I ask for patience, and hopefully after three or four shifts their opinions will change."

Saturday Afternoon Links: Beat Montana...

College Hockey: Tallying up the College Hockey Outdoor Games http://t.co/ztCPwBYZZS #hockey
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) September 13, 2013

RT to welcome #ESPN COLLEGE GAME DAY TO FARGO!! We're hosting next week! Everyone up for the kickoff... pic.twitter.com/n0LRaqCtXu
— NDSU Athletics (@NDSUAthletics) September 14, 2013

Minnesota Wild: Dany Heatley looks to make an Impact http://t.co/hkAzyCMq0y
— Hockey Wilderness (@hockeywildernes) September 14, 2013

#mnwild notes: Backstrom, Harding getting used to shrinking pads; Scrimmage update; Yeo on Nino, Fontaine, Haula http://t.co/PFjIik3pvN
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) September 14, 2013

#mnwild notes: Backstrom, Harding getting used to shrinking pads; Scrimmage update; Yeo on Nino, Fontaine, Haula http://t.co/PFjIik3pvN
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) September 14, 2013

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