Minnesota Wild vs San Jose Sharks: Game Re-Cap

For San Jose perspective, please visit Fear The Fin

It appears the Wild actually know how to play hockey. Who knew?

After telling his players he was tired of getting booed at home, Todd Richards' guys went out and made the fans do something we haven't heard in awhile. The fans... cheered. It was honestly mesmerizing. Excitement in the stands met with intensity on the ice. It was almost like the Wild, what's the word I'm looking for here? It's almost like they cared.

After an early, terrible powerplay, the Wild somehow took a lead on an ugly goal. Then the Sharks came back on a defensive breakdown. The Sharks would then take a 2-1 lead, and everyone had to wonder how the team would react. Turns out, they wouldn't be happy about it.

Not to be lost in this win is the absolutely brutal reffing. We generally do not complain about the refs here at Hockey Wilderness, but they missed so many blatant calls, it feels wrong to ignore that. The first was a trip on Havlat that would have put the Wild up five on three, but instead turned into a Brent Burns penalty and a Sharks PP goal. If there are two penalties on a play, call them both. The rule book doesn't say anything about only calling one, so call them both, please.

Oh wait.

We will, of course, get over the bad calls. The Wild won the game, which is clearly more important, but if the refs are not going to call the rule book, why bother to have it? SOmeday they will realize that the rules are there for a reason, and that is to prevent injury. Which of course for Zidlicky, is too late.

A visitor here tonight says the Sharks commentators were also complaining about the refs. Would be interesting to hear their side of it.

Next up is Nashville on New Year's Eve. We'll see if the Wild can carry over the momentum gained here into that one.

Game notes, courtesy of Wild PR:

- The Wild has won consecutive home games against San Jose for the first time since a three-game stretch from April 8, 2002-Feb. 7, 2003.

- Tonight also marked the Wild's second season sweep of the Sharks at home, with the other coming in 2002-03.  

-  The Wild scored five goals against San Jose for just the second time in team history, the other coming in a 6-1 win Oct. 19, 2005.

Hockey Wilderness Three Stars

Five Questions

Will the fans boo the Wild again tonight? Only once, and they really did deserve it.
Is the Zidlicky Barker pairing a liability? Didn't look like it, but mark my words, it will happen.
Will leading goal scorers Clutterbuck and Burns extend their lead? Burns did. 11 goals. He is a man possessed.
Havlat tends to play well when challenged, is tonight another example? Two assists, and a solid game. Absolutely he responded.
There is very little sports hate between these teams, is any created tonight? The dirty hit on the boards may have created some.