Offical GDT For Opening Day Wild vs Ducks 10/6

Quote :

Both the Minnesota Wild and Anaheim Ducks opened the 2009-10 season with a loss over the weekend. But while first-year Wild coach Todd Richards was pleased with some of the things he saw from his team, Randy Carlyle wasn't thrilled with the Ducks' effort.

Richards hopes his squad can correct some of its problems in Tuesday night's home opener against a Ducks team trying to bounce back from a lackluster performance.

Richards was named as Jacques Lemaire's successor in June and promised to install an up-tempo style of play, emphasizing puck possession and a strong forecheck. Under Lemaire, the Wild were known for playing a conservative style of hockey and finished last season averaging a league-worst 27.5 shots per game.

In Richards' debut Saturday at Columbus, Minnesota was able to produce several scoring opportunities, firing 33 shots on goal, but it also committed some costly turnovers and ended up suffering a 2-1 loss.

Niklas Backstrom was forced to make 37 saves for the Wild, who got their lone goal from left wing Andrew Brunette early in the third period.

"We gave up too many chances, but on the positive side we were able to create a lot of chances," Richards said. "We just need to cut back on our little mistakes that we're making.

"I thought we competed hard. Again, we gave up some chances, but we'll get better as the season goes on. I like the way the guys competed and if we put forth that effort we should end up on the positive side more times than not."

Carlyle didn't get the same effort from his team in Saturday's 4-1 home loss to San Jose.

The Ducks upset the top-seeded Sharks in the first round of last season's playoffs but were never in control Saturday.

Anaheim trailed 3-0 after one period and was outshot 17-2 in the second. Ryan Whitney ended Evgeni Nabokov's shutout bid with a goal 10:36 into the third.

"They played the game at a higher pace then we were playing it at," Carlyle said.

It won't get any easier for the Ducks, embarking on a four-game road trip. Anaheim has lost seven of its last nine in Minnesota, and the Wild have won seven straight home openers since tying the franchise's first one in 2000.

Minnesota and Anaheim split their four meetings last season, with both teams accounting for very little offense.

Backstrom went 2-1-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average and a shutout in three starts, while Anaheim's Jonas Hiller was 1-2-0 with a 1.68 GAA and a shutout in his three games.

Carlyle could turn to Jean-Sebastien Giguere in this game after Hiller stopped 33 shots in the opener. Giguere and Hiller are expected to split time this season.

Giguere made 26 saves in his only start against the Wild last season, a 4-2 win on Dec. 14.



Associated Press

Wild Win 2-1

W00t! Gates open at 6:30!

TaLoN wrote:

W00t! Gates open at 6:30!

They open at 4pm.

We've got two things in jeopardy tonight: sellout streak and home opener winning streak

Edit: Russo reports game is soldout

Have fun watchin it there everyone..I'll be watchin it from home and I'll be there in spirit

OK, whoever put together this team calendar needs to be shot. Each month has a different player, along with a word for each... Backstrom - Focus, Koivu - Gratitude, Nolan - Intensity, Clutterbuck - Passion etc... the problem comes when you get to July... Bouchard - Drive. Ummm... Bouchard has no Fucking Drive!

wild win 3-2, but backstrom is going to have to put on a show

Bouchard has the drive, the drive to be a ballerina, last night i was walking home and there was a rink close to where i live, the light were on so i decided to investigate, and behold it was Butch in tights jumping up and down, she looked quite good maybe olympic worthy.

Russo reporting PMB out with "recurring headaches" he asked to be sat out, so that means Pouls is in, guess he was in the dog house after all.

Yup, just came on to post that he's not out for warmups... Pouliot is. YAY! Butch isn't playing!!!!

fletcher says that bouchard is out indefinitely! his concussion from last year is still hurting him methinks, I remember the play as I watched the game. The isles were running us all game and bouchard got clobbered.

Belanger looks so out of pkace shepp looks good put shepp on 2nd and try benny on 3rd

Looks like I haven't missed anything. This offense is offensive.

Nice shot there by Koivu...maybe get a little momentum for the guys? We need a couple more PPs to get back into this one.

SWEET little play there....we gotta game now!

Havlat is a smooth customer. Deft plays he makes.

havlat with 3 assists! great game and great comeback

Unbelievable game...unbelievable day for Minnesota...I'm pumped

Wow! What a great week for Minnesota! I'm in awe....

Best sports week since 1991 I'd say.

Just got home. I had no idea they THAT"S what they meant by getting the D involved. They weren't simply involved, the were leading the deal. It was something to behold. I suspect from Richards' post game comments that it might have gotten a little out control. It was effing great to watch though. "hey look, Burnsie is in the offensive corner and hardly anyone else is in the zone yet."

I like Niedermeyer's quote: "the defense WAS the offense".

Honestly, I wouldn't have cared had they lost, that third period was good fucking time.

The new anthem guy blows. It's my mikeschmidt duty to say so. What happened to the Renner?

Now, if only we can clone that 3rd period and overtime and get them to show up in the first and 2nd period like that!