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Minnesota Wild Blogger •
The story coming into Thursday night's game against the Oilers was "who would start in net given Backstrom's illness and injury, Harding's injury and Dubi's pathetic performance in Dallas. All that the Wild had left was Anton Khudobin and Barry Brust, in that order.
I think most fans breathed a sigh of relief when Harding stepped onto the ice to begin this game. Most fans thought that Khudobin would be the back up for Harding in this game and they would be right. However, for those that were breathing sighs of relief prior to this game, they were holding their collective breath in the 3rd period when Harding went out of the game with injury after an amazing diving save to save not only the Wild's chance at another two points, but perhaps saving their hopes for continuing to push realistically towards the playoffs.
Enter Anton Khudobin. The Wild's 4th string goaltender who was just called up from the Wild's AHL affiliate in Houston. A 23 year old kid from Kazakhstan, drafted 206th overall by the Wild in 2004. A minor league goalie who had 13 losses in a row this season since November 25th. (citing Michael Russo - Star Tribune - Feb. 5, 2010).
As shaky as Dubi was in Dallas, Khudobin was solid and much more. I attended this game as a fan, sitting in my season ticket seats that are in the fourth row behind the Wild goal for the first and third periods. I love these seats because I love to watch the goalies work. As a member of the media, I had perhaps the best view in the house to watch this amazing event unfold.
Edmonton smelled blood when Harding left and the score was tied, 2-2, with 9:33 left in the third period. They saw an opportunity to catch a cold rookie, fresh off the bench, with absolutely no NHL expereince (nothing, notta, zilch) and, as such, they took it to the Wild offensively. Khudobin was strong on his posts, his lateral movement, everything. With some confidence that the kid could make a save or two, the Wild moved down the ice in transition and scored the go-ahead goal thanks to Guillaume Latendresse. 11 seconds later, after the ensuing face-off, Edmonton stormed down the ice, got behind the Wild defense on a semi-break away, forcing Greg Zanon to trip the Edmonton player, thus putting the Wild short-handed. The Oil continued to hammer away at the Wild net. Khudobin had to deal with big man Dustin Penner who was parked in front of him. For those of you who don't realize, Penner is huge (both tall and wide). But Khudobin did not get flustered, he did not fail, he did not fall.
After the Wild killed this penalty, Martin Havlat got the puck on the right side of the ice (from my vantage point) and streaked down the right side. As he did so, the fans on that side stood as one. I had not seen this since last season and seasons prior when Gaborik would get the puck and turn on his after burners. It was good to see this. It was better to see Havlat shooting and scoring. So often, Marty chooses to pass. Perhaps he realizes that his role on this team is not that of supporting cast, but as one of the main guys. Havlat was great this game. 6 shots, 2 goals. That's what the Wild are paying him $5 million a year for 6 years for! It was Marty's 29th career multiple goal game and first with the Wild. (citing Michael Russo - Star Tribune - Feb. 5, 2010).
That goal sealed the deal and Khudobin and the Wild cruised to victory from that point on despite Edmonton's attempt to pull their goalie for the extra attacker. The Wild won 4-2. With this win, the Wild now have beaten the Oilers 12 straight at home, tied for 2nd in the NHL (Dallas has 12 over the Wild at home and Nashville apparently owns Columbus in Music City - I think).
Immediately after the final horn, each Wild player did more than the customary head-butt with their winning goalie. Each member of the Wild took a few moments to say something to Khudobin whom I'm sure was overcome with emotion and just the surreal moment that must be every NHL goalie's first NHL win. You could tell he was out of place on the Wild. After all of the congratulations, the team skated to center ice to do their customary stick tap and salute to the fans by raising their sticks in the air and the only guy to not have his stick in the air? You guessed it, the winning goalie on the night. It was really fun to see all of this up close and personal. I'm sure this will be a game I won't soon forget.
As for Harding, he was a warrior just for showing up and playing this game. In the post-game presser, Coach Todd Richards related how he had asked Josh how he was feeling prior to the game and Harding's only response was "I'm playing". What a character guy. Also, as a friend pointed out to me, despite the losses that Harding had taken throughout the season, his stats were not much different from Backstrom's. Also, with this win, Khudobin notched his first NHL win as he entered the game when it was tied.
Should Backstrom and Harding not be well enough to go on Saturday against the Flyers, Khudobin will undoubtedly get the nod and start his first NHL game. While most might think this heavily favors the Flyers, remember that Edmonton just beat Philly in Oil Country with their back-up goalie playing (as Khabibulin is out for the season). If the Oilers can pull it off, my belief is that the Wild can too. Not that it will be easy, but the Wild are an incredibly tough team to beat at home this year. Were this game in Philly, I would be whistling a different tune. But the Wild are home and this season, there's no place like home.
Stay tuned Wild fans for goaltender updates as I hear about them.
Also, in case you're in a coma or something, good on New Jersey for getting Ilya Kovalchuk. As most of you know, I was so impressed with the Devils when they played here on January 2nd that I declared them "my team in the East". As Eklund pointed out, whoever makes it to the Stanley Cup Finals from the East will have had to go through at least one of New Jersey, Pittsburgh, and/or Washington, not to mention Buffalo and Ottawa both of which are also playing very good hockey this season. Also, props to Atlanta for making a deal prior to the Olympics and securing what value they could for a player who was clearly not interested in playing in Atlanta any more given his turning down a 12-year, $101 million deal that would have made him the first $100 million player in the NHL, something Marion Gaborik had hoped to become. While I feel for the fans in Atlanta, I think they did well to get veteran Johnny Oduya (who will be playing for Sweden in the Olympics), rookie Niclas Bergfors (just a sensation this year with his time on the Devils), prospect Patrice Cormier (captain of the Canadian Junior team that took silver behind the U.S. Junions; also the headache for the Devils given his suspension for a ruthless hit) and a first round draft pick and trading of second round draft picks. While nothing will make up for the loss of the talent that is Ilya Kovalchuk, at least the Thrashers got something for him unlike the Wild and Gaborik whom the Wild lost and got nothing in return. I would now love to see Atlanta go on a run and qualify for the playoffs. Could you imagine a first round match-up of Atlanta vs. New Jersey?!?!?! That would be perfect.
As for the Wild, GO WILD!!!!!!!! Only 35 more points to qualify for the playoffs with 25 games left in the season. Don't hold your breath Wild fans, but it could get interesting and exciting. Key word: "could". GO WILD!!!!!!
P.S. A quick shout out to Oilers fans. You're team is not as bad as their record. You guys have some fine players and really gave the Wild alot to handle on Thursday night. Keep your chins up. Things will get better for you guys and quickly. You just have to make it through this season.
I think most fans breathed a sigh of relief when Harding stepped onto the ice to begin this game. Most fans thought that Khudobin would be the back up for Harding in this game and they would be right. However, for those that were breathing sighs of relief prior to this game, they were holding their collective breath in the 3rd period when Harding went out of the game with injury after an amazing diving save to save not only the Wild's chance at another two points, but perhaps saving their hopes for continuing to push realistically towards the playoffs.
Enter Anton Khudobin. The Wild's 4th string goaltender who was just called up from the Wild's AHL affiliate in Houston. A 23 year old kid from Kazakhstan, drafted 206th overall by the Wild in 2004. A minor league goalie who had 13 losses in a row this season since November 25th. (citing Michael Russo - Star Tribune - Feb. 5, 2010).
As shaky as Dubi was in Dallas, Khudobin was solid and much more. I attended this game as a fan, sitting in my season ticket seats that are in the fourth row behind the Wild goal for the first and third periods. I love these seats because I love to watch the goalies work. As a member of the media, I had perhaps the best view in the house to watch this amazing event unfold.
Edmonton smelled blood when Harding left and the score was tied, 2-2, with 9:33 left in the third period. They saw an opportunity to catch a cold rookie, fresh off the bench, with absolutely no NHL expereince (nothing, notta, zilch) and, as such, they took it to the Wild offensively. Khudobin was strong on his posts, his lateral movement, everything. With some confidence that the kid could make a save or two, the Wild moved down the ice in transition and scored the go-ahead goal thanks to Guillaume Latendresse. 11 seconds later, after the ensuing face-off, Edmonton stormed down the ice, got behind the Wild defense on a semi-break away, forcing Greg Zanon to trip the Edmonton player, thus putting the Wild short-handed. The Oil continued to hammer away at the Wild net. Khudobin had to deal with big man Dustin Penner who was parked in front of him. For those of you who don't realize, Penner is huge (both tall and wide). But Khudobin did not get flustered, he did not fail, he did not fall.
After the Wild killed this penalty, Martin Havlat got the puck on the right side of the ice (from my vantage point) and streaked down the right side. As he did so, the fans on that side stood as one. I had not seen this since last season and seasons prior when Gaborik would get the puck and turn on his after burners. It was good to see this. It was better to see Havlat shooting and scoring. So often, Marty chooses to pass. Perhaps he realizes that his role on this team is not that of supporting cast, but as one of the main guys. Havlat was great this game. 6 shots, 2 goals. That's what the Wild are paying him $5 million a year for 6 years for! It was Marty's 29th career multiple goal game and first with the Wild. (citing Michael Russo - Star Tribune - Feb. 5, 2010).
That goal sealed the deal and Khudobin and the Wild cruised to victory from that point on despite Edmonton's attempt to pull their goalie for the extra attacker. The Wild won 4-2. With this win, the Wild now have beaten the Oilers 12 straight at home, tied for 2nd in the NHL (Dallas has 12 over the Wild at home and Nashville apparently owns Columbus in Music City - I think).
Immediately after the final horn, each Wild player did more than the customary head-butt with their winning goalie. Each member of the Wild took a few moments to say something to Khudobin whom I'm sure was overcome with emotion and just the surreal moment that must be every NHL goalie's first NHL win. You could tell he was out of place on the Wild. After all of the congratulations, the team skated to center ice to do their customary stick tap and salute to the fans by raising their sticks in the air and the only guy to not have his stick in the air? You guessed it, the winning goalie on the night. It was really fun to see all of this up close and personal. I'm sure this will be a game I won't soon forget.
As for Harding, he was a warrior just for showing up and playing this game. In the post-game presser, Coach Todd Richards related how he had asked Josh how he was feeling prior to the game and Harding's only response was "I'm playing". What a character guy. Also, as a friend pointed out to me, despite the losses that Harding had taken throughout the season, his stats were not much different from Backstrom's. Also, with this win, Khudobin notched his first NHL win as he entered the game when it was tied.
Should Backstrom and Harding not be well enough to go on Saturday against the Flyers, Khudobin will undoubtedly get the nod and start his first NHL game. While most might think this heavily favors the Flyers, remember that Edmonton just beat Philly in Oil Country with their back-up goalie playing (as Khabibulin is out for the season). If the Oilers can pull it off, my belief is that the Wild can too. Not that it will be easy, but the Wild are an incredibly tough team to beat at home this year. Were this game in Philly, I would be whistling a different tune. But the Wild are home and this season, there's no place like home.
Stay tuned Wild fans for goaltender updates as I hear about them.
Also, in case you're in a coma or something, good on New Jersey for getting Ilya Kovalchuk. As most of you know, I was so impressed with the Devils when they played here on January 2nd that I declared them "my team in the East". As Eklund pointed out, whoever makes it to the Stanley Cup Finals from the East will have had to go through at least one of New Jersey, Pittsburgh, and/or Washington, not to mention Buffalo and Ottawa both of which are also playing very good hockey this season. Also, props to Atlanta for making a deal prior to the Olympics and securing what value they could for a player who was clearly not interested in playing in Atlanta any more given his turning down a 12-year, $101 million deal that would have made him the first $100 million player in the NHL, something Marion Gaborik had hoped to become. While I feel for the fans in Atlanta, I think they did well to get veteran Johnny Oduya (who will be playing for Sweden in the Olympics), rookie Niclas Bergfors (just a sensation this year with his time on the Devils), prospect Patrice Cormier (captain of the Canadian Junior team that took silver behind the U.S. Junions; also the headache for the Devils given his suspension for a ruthless hit) and a first round draft pick and trading of second round draft picks. While nothing will make up for the loss of the talent that is Ilya Kovalchuk, at least the Thrashers got something for him unlike the Wild and Gaborik whom the Wild lost and got nothing in return. I would now love to see Atlanta go on a run and qualify for the playoffs. Could you imagine a first round match-up of Atlanta vs. New Jersey?!?!?! That would be perfect.
As for the Wild, GO WILD!!!!!!!! Only 35 more points to qualify for the playoffs with 25 games left in the season. Don't hold your breath Wild fans, but it could get interesting and exciting. Key word: "could". GO WILD!!!!!!
P.S. A quick shout out to Oilers fans. You're team is not as bad as their record. You guys have some fine players and really gave the Wild alot to handle on Thursday night. Keep your chins up. Things will get better for you guys and quickly. You just have to make it through this season.
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