Two Former UND Hockey players among 2014 Playoffs Points Leaders

You can check out all of the stats at the hockey-reference. It's a wonderful site.

Wild F Zach Parise (Bloomington, MN/@UNDMHockey) is second in points (13) and in assists (9) in the NHL Playoffs.
— Let's Play Hockey (@LetsPlay_Hockey) May 7, 2014

(Video) Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise scores against the Blackhawks (Game 3)

Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise scores his fourth goal of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks. With the win, the Blackhawks lead the series 2-1.

Ryan Suter Injuiry (GIF)

Hopefully, it's only a stinger and not a separated shoulder. But Wild defenseman Ryan Suter seemed to land awkwardly on his shoulder. Suter went to the locker room after the play.

Are the Wild Getting a Stadium Series Game?

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Looks like there's a chance that Minnesota Wild could get a Stadium Series game against the Dallas Stars, as early as next season.

Michael Russo, Minneapolis Tribune -- Still waiting

The Wild continues its quest to host a Winter Classic. But there are plans to bring a stadium-series game to Minnesota as soon as next season.

The Wild wants the opponent to be the Blackhawks, but the NHL is pushing the Dallas Stars as the opponent. If the game happens, it looks as if it will be played at Target Field.

At this point, the Minnesota Wild need to take what they can get in regards to an outdoor game whether it's a Winter Classic or a Stadium Series game. Eventually, they'll get a Winter Classic.

Trib: Leave the hockey coverage to Russo

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This was in yesterday's newspaper. Jim Souhan has this goody...

Jim Souhan, Star Tribune --- By now you should be stuffed to the gills with facts and quotes. So let's take a shot at a wild Wild prediction:

I see Josh Harding playing today. And if not today, then someday soon.

Mike Yeo has not said Harding will play. He probably doesn't want to put any more thoughts in Ilya Bryzgalov's overflowing cranium. But it is always instructive to judge people not by what they say but by what they do.

Here's what they did: Shipping Harding's equipment to him in Chicago and had him practice after not doing either of those things in Colorado.

In other words, Harding is capable of playing. If Bryzgalov is lousy again today, I don't know why the Wild wouldn't give Harding a shot today or in Game 3.

If you read beat writer Michael Russo, and most Wild fans do on a regular basis you would have seen this.

On Harding skating, Yeo said, “Just more than anything else, let's just get him on the ice. This is an extreme longshot to think he would have a chance to play in this series. Get him on the ice and get him back to being part of the group and helping out a little bit with practice. Obviously this time of year, the goalie playing a lot of games isn't going to see a lot of time in practice. It's nice to have three goalies.

“For me I'm not even considering it right now. If there's an absolute emergency or there's a desperate situation we find ourselves in we'll be prepared for that. We're not getting him on the ice to get ready to play a game, let's put it that way.”

And this one from Russo as well.

One adjustment Yeo won’t make is in goal. Darcy Kuemper is injured, so Ilya Bryzgalov, 1-5 in his past six starts dating to the regular season, must remain the man between the pipes.

I haven't been a fan of Bryz the last six games that he played in. It's like he's reverted back to the Philly Bryz that couldn't stop a beach ball. While a couple of the goals against have been his fault, many of the Blackhawks goals have been a result of good hockey players making great plays. Also, defensive support from his teammates has been poor as well. This includes the forward position, too. A lot of defensive break down have been a result of forwards not getting the puck deep and turning the puck over in their own end. That will bury a hockey players every time.  The Wild as a team, need to be better on pucks, in all three zones.

Just for the record, Chad Graff from the Pioneer Press is very good as well.

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• [Wild About Numbers]: Resurgent Ilya Bryzgalov Is Making The Doubters Eat Their Words
• Wilderness Walk: It Could Have Been Worse Edition
• Jim Souhan: Where are the Wild stars?
• Wild and Blackhawks - A couple of things
• Wild beat Avs 5-4 in OT in Game 7 to advance

Do Wild Fans Need to Worry?

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Once again, the Minnesota Wild find themselves down in a 2-0 hole, but the only difference is that it is to a much more experienced Chicago Blackhawks team.

First thing is first, one must address the horrible starts to game one and two for Minnesota. They would fall into 2-0 holes in both games, but would surge late to make things interesting before Chicago would ice the games with empty net goals. Their flat footed starts reminded me much of the series last year against the Blackhawks. It looked like a lot of puck envy and the Wild had no pressure on the puck carrier what so ever.

Another issue to address is the goalie situation. Ilya Bryzgalov has shown signs of the Bryz of 2007, but seems to be getting caught too deep into his net, look at Brandon Saad's first goal of the game. Yes I know it was deflected off the stick of Zach Parise, however, if Bryzgalov comes out another eight inches to a foot, I believe the puck hits him in the shoulder.

The goaltending situation is one that they have dealt with all season long, but it's time for Bryzgalov to take the reigns and find his game from the regular season. However, all can't be put on Bryz. When the Wild have had their prime scoring chances, is when they are strong on the forecheck. The only line I saw that consistently from today was the line with Nino, Haula, and Fontaine. These three took the body, created chances and got pucks to the net consistently. The rest of the team should take notes off of how these three played today because their games were nearly flawless.

Turnovers were also another story on today's game. Giving the puck up in key areas costed Minnesota at least two goals today. They would make a third period push today and in game one, but would turn out to be too little too late .

Finally, the big guns need to start being more active like they were at the end of the Colorado series. In today's game, Parise and Suter were both -3, Pommer, Granny, and Koivu were all a -2, and the only plus players were our grinders, Haula, Heatley, and McCormick all at +1. This picture is something that needs to be changed, or you can kiss this season goodbye.

As for if fans need to be concerned? I say yes. This Blackhawks team isn't like the Avalanche. They are much better and more experienced in the playoffs. 2-0 holes against them are generally impossible to overcome. However, it is the playoffs and the Blue Jackets almost upset the Penguins in the first round.

The only way I see Minnesota being back in this series is they must win both games at the Xcel Energy Center. If this doesn't happen, the season is over. The Madhouse on Madison is not an easy building to win in and have to grab at least one victory there to head to the West Final.

Toews goal against the Wild

#488188615 / gettyimages.com

Exhibit A: This is what they mean by going hard to the net. Getting to the blue pain. I thought this goal was a back breaker. The much maligned, and rightfully so, Minnesota Wild goalie Ilya Bryzgalov makes a beautiful initial save on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa. That play would have been great, but the poor defensive effort by the Wild defenders allowed Jonathan Toews to crash the net and cash in on the rebound at the side of the net.

Wild and Blackhawks - A couple of things

#487887817 / gettyimages.com

I found a couple of interesting quotes from Russo's Rants that I thought were interesting.

“Obviously, it was a very winnable game for us,” Yeo said. “It didn’t have the feel of a game that we were going to win for sure. But to get yourself in that opportunity, you know, you’re starting to come on five-on-five, we were pretty good for a lot of points there, for a lot of periods of the game. But you’ve got to buckle down in those key moments and those key situations. We’ve been stronger than that lately, but this is nothing to hang our hat on. It’s about the next challenge in front of you.”

The Wild aren't going to win many more hockey games if they don't start playing better defensively. Also, the Wild forwards need to cash in on the opportunities that present themselves. How many chances has Wild forward Jason Pominville missed during the Stanley Cup Playoffs? Too many to count.

Last night, I think the Wild did deserved a better fate, but I feel the defense let the team down. Jonas Brodin was unimpressive last night, but we still need to remember he's very young player and sometimes young players make mistakes.

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Coach Yeo on the Wild Goaltending.

On Bryz, Yeo said he didn’t have a problem with his game (and right now he has no choice to talk him up): “Obviously this a talented team that can capitalize and don't need 30 opportunities to put five in the net so we have to limit those quality opportunities.”

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From Chad Graf's gamer...

"I felt that we had a handful of guys that were below average at best," Yeo said. "Whatever the reason for that, whether it's the quick turnaround, whether it's not being able to adjust and get refocused on this, we'll have to rectify that."

This is a must read by Tom Powers.

I'd bet the farm that we see John Curry before this series is over. The way this works for the Wild is that Bryzgalov might choke on a chicken bone during the pregame meal or slip in the shower or trip getting off the team bus. All manner of calamities befall their goaltenders. They don't even bat an eye when it happens anymore.

#487886661 / gettyimages.com

Wild defense porous in opening game against Blackhawks

I think that's a pretty accurate assessment of last night's game, in general. Last night, the Wild defense left their goaltender high and dry and gave up "way" too many opportunities. This has to change or this could end up being a very short series.

Mark Lazerus, Chicago Sun-Times -- He danced through the Minnesota defense as they picked their poison between him and Patrick Sharp, dusting Ryan Suter and splitting Jonas Brodin and Kyle Brodziak — the Wild’s top two defensemen and one of their top shutdown forwards — before roofing a backhander over Ilya Bryzgalov to break a tie and unleash a deafening roar at the United Center.

As (Patrick) Kane raced to his teammates to celebrate, he twice appeared to yell, “Showtime!” — fitting, given the highlight-reel nature of the goal and his usual penchant for the dramatic.

Kyle Brodziak goal - long review

Minnesota Wild forward Kyle Brodziak goal that made it 2-1 in favor of the Chicago Blackhawks. There was a long review on the goal.

Minnesota Wild: Nino Niederreiter game winning goal.

(Ignore the last 22 seconds of the video.)The Minnesota Wild move on to the second round for the first time in 11 years. The Wild now travel to the the Madhouse on Madison to play the Chicago Blackhawks. The first game is Friday at 7:30 pm. Central. No more midnight hockey. It's Jonathan Toews versus Zach Parise. During his career against the Blackhawks, Parise has played in 15 games and scored (3g-2a-5pts). For those that are wondering, during his career, Toews has scored (6g-13a-19pts) in 22 games against the Minnesota Wild.

During the regular season, the Wild went 3-2 against the Blackhawks. One of Chicago's two wins was a shootout.

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(Video) Nick Holden's controversial goal - Game 7 Wild vs. AV's

This goal by the Colorado Avalanche's Nick Holden shouldn't have counted. Minnesota Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper is clearly interfered with.

Again, incidental contact (inhibiting a goalie from making a save) is not reviewable. It's a ref's judgment
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) May 1, 2014

Hey it's only the season on the line. No reason at all to have video review on an interference play like that! Makes total sense #brutal
— Strombone (@strombone1) May 1, 2014

Top 20 UFA's according to Cap Geek.

Only seven remaining UFAs recorded 50 or more points in 2013-14. http://t.co/2D5MRaT2CF
— CapGeek (@capgeek) April 30, 2014

Look who is at the top of this UFA list. Future Wild forward Thomas Vanek. Okay, so Vanek may or may not end up with the Wild, but he's at the top of the list.

(Video) Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche end of game scrum

Feisty end to a very good game between the Wild and Avalanche.

20:00 MIN Clayton Stoner Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min against Patrick Bordeleau
20:00 COL Patrick Bordeleau Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min against Clayton Stoner
20:00 COL Cody McLeod Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min against Nate Prosser
20:00 MIN Nate Prosser Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min against Cody McLeod

Wild score their empty net goal to go up 4-2, Yeo with a fist pump http://t.co/T3u8QOBCWK
— Steph (@myregularface) April 29, 2014

(Video) Avalanche forward Paul Stastny cup checks Wild forward Cody McCormick

Another day, another cup check. This time, Colorado Avalanche forward Paul Stastny cup checks Minnesota Wild forward Cody McCormick.

Stastny gets his first slashing penalty of the series; It was his 25th slash, but first to the box. Wild PP
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 29, 2014

(Video) NHL Hockey: Where's the obstruction? Av's game tying goal offsides

This officiating crew for the NHL should be fired. This is absolutely a travesty. The Av's are also offsides on the game tying goal as well. You can see by the video that Paul Stasny was offside as well.

Much better look- RT @johncanref: Why we teach linesmen to work the line! This call needs to be made inside the line. pic.twitter.com/aZA6XQLQgH
— Chris Long (@jclong) April 27, 2014

Irony: tomorrow's #mnwild #avs notebook, I quote Roy saying it's time for coach's challenges b/c of the bogus Parenteau offside in Game 2
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 27, 2014

@jthock @CharlieMpls @adater @jclong incorrect, skate must be in contact prior to puck crossing.
— John Moulton (@johncanref) April 27, 2014

Adrian Dater: Matt Cooke is a gutless puke

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Here’s a new drinking game, every time Adrian Dater of the Denver Post mentions Matt Cooke’s name, drink.

Yep, Matt Cooke did a bad thing; he blew out an Av’s player’s knee with a dirty leg check. This is fact. This is not up for debate. But I find it funny that a beat writer for a National Hockey League team would make him the focus of every article. Maybe Cooke is in the Av's head, or at least their beat writers.

Adrian Dater, Denver Post -- There are so many other problems hurting the team right now, most having to with injuries. Damn injuries – they always spoil all the fun. Matt Duchene still isn’t ready yet. John Mitchell can’t do much more than just stretches with a long rubber band. He has not attempted to skate since getting hurt at the end of the year.

Of course, no Tyson Barrie anymore. That 6-on-4 at the end sure would have been a good place to use a Barrie, eh? He’s not here anymore, though, because of gutless puke Matt Cooke.

Regardless, the better team won Games 3 and 4. The Avs’ offense was just nowhere to be seen in St. Paul, and the question of whether they can rediscover it in Denver for Game 5 Saturday seems like a very dicey question indeed. We’re still not going to see Duchene and Mitchell, so it’s still a situation of “Gee, sure hope the third and fourth lines can give us something, anything, and we can get those top two lines going again.”

Wild Dominate Avs, Tie Series

In another must win for the Minnesota Wild tonight, they came out of the gates guns a blazing, physically, and skillfully dominating the Colorado Avalanche in every aspect of the game. Not giving Colorado many scoring chances, and keeping the threat of rookie sensation Nathan MacKinnon at a stand still, the record playoff crowd at the Xcel Energy Center would go home loud and proud as the series would be tied up at two games a piece.

As I said already, the Wild came out of the gates on a mission tonight, and would strike first off of a Jared Spurgeon blast from the high slot and the Wild would be up 1-0 early in the first. Also as expected, the Zach Parise, Jason Pominville, Mikael Granlund line was on fire once again tonight as well, and Parise and Granny would both earn themselves apples on this first goal. Minnesota would go into the locker room up 1-0 and out shooting the Avs 14-3 in the period dominated by the home team. If it wasn't for that first Avalanche power play opportunity, they probably would have skated off the ice with just one lousy shot on goal.

The second and third periods were the same story as the first was, Wild domination. With the team playing physical, and strong on the puck, they were seeing a lot of puck possession time in all three zones, which brought them success for much of the season. This is how coach Mike Yeo wanted his team to play all season, and are finding that the method to his madness is granting them their playoff success..

Minnesota would also cash in on their first power play opportunity off of the stick of Charlie Coyle. Jason Pominville would take the initial shot which would deflect off of the glass behind the net and Charlie Coyle would just have to slide it into a wide open net. However, like in almost every other game in this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs, two goal leads were not safe. Just 30 seconds later, Ryan O'Reilly would put one through Darcy Kuemper's five hole in a shot he would likely want back. This would conclude the scoring for the game, even though Minnesota could have had five or six goals if it wasn't for Varlamov.

Another story line for this series so far has to be Matt Moulson for the Minnesota Wild. The guy can't seem to catch a break or a bounce in the first four games in this series. He has been snake bitten by posts, missed shots, robbery saves, and blocked shots. One can only wonder when Moulson will find the back of the net, and when/if he does, the flood gates will open for him.

Darcy Kuemper has been lights out since coming in relief in game two for Bryzgalov. In just over 150 minutes played in these playoffs, he has surrendered just one goal. However, it is easier to do this when the team around you isn't allowing pucks to get to the net, but none the less, Kuemper is the backbone of this team and will take them far if he keeps playing lights out like this.

Going into Colorado on Saturday night, the series is in the hands of the Minnesota Wild. I believe that if Minnesota is able to sneak out a road victory in game five, the series will be over in game six when the Wild return home. However, if the home team winning trend continues, we will see seven games. I'm excited to see how this series will turn out, and I'm sure both fan bases are too.

(Video) End of the Minnesota Wild game against the Colorado Avalanche

What a fantastic finish to an exciting game. Wild forwards Erik Haula and Mikael Granlund were huge in the final seconds of the game. The Minnesota Wild limited the high flying Av's to 12 shots on goal.

One assist, 3 drawn penalties, 3 ginormous blocked shots down 4-on-6 for Granlund
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 25, 2014

NHL Dishes 7 Games for Cooke

After a long day of waiting to hear how the in person meeting went for Matt Cooke today, we now know that he will be out for the next seven games for his knee on knee hit on Avalanche player Tyson Barrie.

Cooke, a player who not many NHL fans like, has had a suspension history that if it were all written down on paper could write a 500 page book. However, he has cut his penalty minutes per game nearly in half over the past couple of seasons, and is attempting to clean up his game.

I think Cooke should have gotten at least 10 games for his knee on knee hit on Barrie. He lead with his knee, I don't care what you say on the speed of the game, still no excuse for leading with the knee, and the defenseless Barrie didn't even see him coming.

Plays like this one have no place in the game of hockey and players who do this deserve to be suspended for their actions. I just hope the NHL fan base doesn't give the Minnesota Wild a bad name now because of this one player. This does not represent the organization, or the rest of the players on the roster.