By Darren Brown -
Good morning, Wilderness! What a hockey night it was! Team USA beat Canada for the second time in the 2017 WJC Tournament, taking home the gold medal, and the Minnesota Wild followed it up with an impressive comeback win in San Jose, on a night that they didn’t have their best stuff, but poured it on in the third with four goals to take down the Sharks 5-4.
The gold medal should be well celebrated across USA Hockey, as the Americans truly had the odds stacked against them, playing in Canada against the home team, and facing two separate two-goal deficits in the game. Yet, they came out on top, and we are brimming with pride today. Troy Terry did his best TJ Oshie impression over a 24-hour period, scoring four shootout goals in two games, and Minnesota Wild prospect Jordan Greenway was named one of USA’s Best Three Players of the Tournament.
It was also awesome to see the Wild rebound from their streak-snapping loss on the same night that Columbus’s streak finally ended, overcoming two separate two-goal deficits of its own, despite Minnesota not having its best game and Dubnyk again allowing four goals. Of course we’ll need Dubnyk to get back on track ASAP (He will… He’s had too good of a season to let himself get rattled long-term. Plus the goals REALLY weren't his fault last night.), but getting two goals each from Eric Staal and Mikko Koivu, plus one from Zach Parise, and winning on the road against the Pacific Division-leading Sharks is no easy feat. A win in that building is a big win, no matter how it comes.
Combine Team USA’s awesome gold medal win and Minnesota’s enormous win to start their California swing, and you’ve got some pretty good feels if you’re a Wild fan this morning.
In honor of the gold medal, here’s Bruce Springsteen to remind you where you came from.
Wild News
Four-goal third period rallies Wild past San Jose - StarTribune.com
Mr. Russo's take on the game.
Koivu rallies Minnesota in wild third to beat Sharks
These Shark tears taste like chum bait. AP recap of last night's comeback win.
Minnesota Wild got it right with Bruce Boudreau
A little love for Brucey.
Minnesota Wild's Mikael Granlund among league's best in December
A little love for Granny.
Struggling Parise gets pep talk from Wild coach Boudreau - StarTribune.com
A ticking Zach would be enormous for the Wild this season. He was very impactful Thursday.
Tending the Fields
Troy Terry lifts United States past Canada in world junior hockey championship thriller
Terry became a household name overnight, as the called-upon shooter in the semifinal and final.
Instant Classic: 5 best moments from Canada-USA gold medal game
An unforgettable game.
USA wins World Junior gold in shootout thriller over Canada
These Canadian tears taste like delicious maple syrup.
On Frozen Pond
Highlights: Thursday, Jan. 5
Basically the Wilderness Walk of high school hockey.
Updated boys' hockey rankings: Jan. 5
Stillwater leading the way with a perfect 11-0 record.
Girls State Rankings
Edina leading the way on the Girls' side.
Off the Trail
Blue Jackets’ 16-game win streak, shot at history ended by Capitals
Well, with a 5-0 loss, at least it wasn't a heartbreaker.
Patrick Kane scores OT winner, Blackhawks complete comeback versus Sabres | ProHockeyTalk
Keeping the Wild in second place... Bummer.
Think you could write a story like this? Hockey Wilderness wants you to develop your voice, find an audience, and we'll pay you to do it. Just fill out this form.
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.