Well, the season is over kids.
Everyone is writing up the eulogies, the analysis, the harebrained opinions, the calls for heads to roll; so I figure First Round Bust should do the same before we delve into Entry Draft stuff.
Not Shea Weber Nominated For Norris Trophy
Rejoice Young American Natives, Someone Underrated Today Earned Rewards
NEW YORK- The National Hockey League named their three finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy on Tuesday. They are, in alphabetical order: Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins, P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens and Not Shea Weber of the Minnesota Wild.
Minnesota-Chicago Game 3 Posts 7.6 Rating in the Twin Cities
Minnesota's Game 3 victory Sunday afternoon over Chicago posted a 7.6 rating locally in the Twin Cities according to Steve Lepore of SB Nation.
The first postseason game at the Xcel Energy Center since 2008 saw rookie forward Jason Zucker score 2:15 in overtime to give the eighth-seed Wild a 3-2 win. Despite the victory, Chicago leads the best-of-seven Western Conference Quarterfinal 2 games to 1.
2013 Calder Cup Playoffs: Aeros end 19 year run with 7-0 loss
Goodbyes are never easy. For Houston, neither was this game.
Grand Rapids (Detroit Red Wings-AHL) rebounded from a 4-1 loss Friday night to defeat Houston 7-0 Saturday in the decisive Game 5 of their first round Calder Cup series. The Griffins scored four times in the second period to break the game open at Van Andel Arena. Tomas Tatar, meanwhile, notched two goals and completed a Gordie Howe hat trick.
Keep On Learning To Reach Higher Ground
It doesn't look too promising for our favorite hockey team, as we stand here on the eve of the first home playoff game in five years; The Wild are down 2-0 to Chicago, who won in rather convincing fashion Friday night, exposing Minnesota's deficiencies and also the fears, trepidations, and panic in the fanbase.
We have to remember its all a process though; no one should have bet the farm that this incarnation of the team- the initial act in what Owner Craig Leipold feels is a five to eight year window- was going to win the Stanley Cup this year. Is it disappointing that it looks like we're gonna get our lunch money taken and tee time reserved so soon? Yes. However, I contend for Minnesota to win this series, there were going to be a lot of "ifs"; if Minnesota does this, if Corey Crawford does that, If Jason Pominville returns...
But there is much to learn from what is going on in this series, and more specifically our opponent Chicago, whose path Minnesota is trying to emulate.
2013 Calder Cup Playoffs: Mike Condon makes 41 saves to keep Houston's season alive
Tonight is do or die for the Houston Aeros.
Houston kept their season and franchise alive Friday night with a 4-1 win over Grand Rapids in Game 4 of their first round AHL series. Mike Condon, pressed into goalie service with Darcy Kuemper called up in Minnesota, made 41 saves. Justin Fontaine, meanwhile, had three assists.
2013 NHL Playoffs: Fortune Favors The Fearless Bunch
Tuesday night was a glorious end to one journey and the beginning of another.
For the first time in five years, the Minnesota Wild were participating in the postseason. Five years. In that time there have been annual searches for a playoff bandwagon, April draft research and golf course exclusives. Instead of teeing off on the 7th hole, there was a team from Minnesota on the ice to cheer for after the final regular season game.
It was a weird feeling Tuesday night.
What You Missed: Erik Haula's First Pro Goal & James Sheppard Hits A Guy
Erik Haula can now associate something positive from Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Haula scored his first professional goal at the end of the first period Tuesday night for Houston. Returning to Van Andel Arena, the scene of the Gophers' season-ending loss to Yale in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Pori, Finland native and former University of Minnesota standout took a pass from Chad Rau and wristed a shot past Grand Rapids goalie Petr Mrazek.
Minnesota's Playoff Ratings Are Off To A Strong Start (UPDATED)
The NHL Playoffs is a different animal than the regular season. Here in the "State of Hockey," the second season means a lot of eyeballs on the Minnesota Wild.
Last night's Minnesota-Chicago Blackhawks playoff opener drew a 9.4 rating in the Twin Cities. The game aired locally on Fox Sports North and according to Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN, was the top in all demos Tuesday across both over-the-air and cable. That includes 31.7% of all males 25-54 tuning in.
Last night's Minnesota-Chicago Blackhawks playoff opener drew a 9.4 rating in the Twin Cities. The game aired locally on Fox Sports North and according to Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN, was the top in all demos Tuesday across both over-the-air and cable. That includes 31.7% of all males 25-54 tuning in.
5/1 Wild News & Notes Around The Internet
Editor's note: It's been a while since we've done a post filled with links so between that guilt and knowing a couple of these subjects won't get their proper due, here are the best Wild and prospect-related links throughout the mainstream media and blogosphere.
Dan Gustafson of 16wins.com did some great work on infographics showcasing why various Wild . I especially like the above one, which showcases the "Brodin For Calder" campaign we've jumped on the bandwagon early.
Other infographics include Ryan Suter for Norris and Mikko Koivu/Zach Parise for the Selke.
Dan Gustafson of 16wins.com did some great work on infographics showcasing why various Wild . I especially like the above one, which showcases the "Brodin For Calder" campaign we've jumped on the bandwagon early.
Other infographics include Ryan Suter for Norris and Mikko Koivu/Zach Parise for the Selke.
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