Wilderness Walk: Hartman Heroics In Game 1

First

Go Wild! Atta boy Hartsy! 

Gonna need some coffee today for sure lol

EST here and I waited up pretty late too. Glad it was for a Wild win!

Minnesota has guys who can bury grade A chances. Defense and goaltending was very good. #97 gonna be a target for every team the Wild play always.

Now THAT is playoff hockey.  Wow was that a fun game to watch.  There has got to be a dozen players that are waking up this morning barely able to walk.  Dallas played some great hockey from the 3rd period on.  Our discipline in the D-zone and some phenom play by Gus kept us in it.  Now we need to keep the pedal on the floor.  No let down.  Even if Dallas wins the next game we need to keep that physical play going and make them hate playing against us.  Get in their heads..  Dang.  I need more coffee.

Dallas fans on Twitter were all whining about our guys taking runs at their players and crying about the Dumba hit that knocked Pavelski out, but to me Suter's shots on Kaprizov were much worse. Two blatant crosschecks when Kirill is nowhere near the puck. 

I would not want to play hockey against Marcus Foligno. Moose was a monster last night/this morning--NINE hits, and it seemed like every single one was a bone cruncher. Can't wait to see Moose get a clean shot at Suter!

Just came across this from @TheHughPart2 on Twitter... 🤣

37 minutes ago, MNCountryLife said:

discipline in the D-zone and some phenom play by Gus kept us in it

Yeah, Faber and Merrill both had stick saves on extremely high danger shots to aid Gus, but Gus really stood tall after the 2nd period. Steely Sam was also surprisingly super.

Such an awesome game to watch!  Dumba's hit was a little late, sure, but it's playoff hockey and I think the refs got the call absolutely right.

If we keep bringing the physicality, we will continue to have the edge. You're next, Suter.

well so much for getting Yurov in the AHL next year. Just signed a 1-year extension with the KHL. 

Better than anything longer-term though! 

BG looks pretty smart today.  Sign Hartman to that bargain contract and sign Steel to entry level deal.  Bring in Reavo to bang, Mojo to create, keep Dumba at deadline (might be most important play of game/series), Nyquist is gonna contribute bigly before this is over, Klinger with phantom injury so we have excuse to see our Brodin for next decade make his playoff debut, and Sunny D isn’t even in lineup yet to push Benn around.  Things are good in hockey wilderness

1 hour ago, Secord Sucks said:

I would not want to play hockey against Marcus Foligno.

Moose was vintage moose last night.  Played his role perfectly. 
“why doesn’t the nhl play like that during regular season?” - because no one would be left standing when regular season ended

1 hour ago, B1GKappa97 said:

well so much for getting Yurov in the AHL next year. Just signed a 1-year extension with the KHL. 

Better than anything longer-term though! 

I guess he wants to come over with a room mate in Khus$%^&*(?

To me, this is disappointing, I'd rather we got them both out of there considering the crisis in that area of the world.

The footwork by Steel to receive the pass in stride and score on the breakaway. Much more complimentary player than with the Ducks who must’ve thought Steel was supposed to carry their group? GMBG has picked up the best inexpensive, under appreciated guys in the league
 

Between Hartman, Steel, Fred, Mojo, none have aggravated me with inability to finish. Dallas has gone deep in recent years. The Wild need to remember, one win against a good team in Round 1 isn’t much to boast about. 

Yeah, Dallas fans are ridiculous.

A player getting hurt on a play doesn’t make it dirty.  Borderline late hit, but not to the head.  At worst interference or roughing.  Called a penalty, rightfully reviewed and not called a major.

Pavelski having so many head injuries that he gets concussed if someone taps him on shoulder doesn’t make it illegal or cheap.  He got caught flat footed with his head down in a dangerous area.  Got absolutely blown up.  Deal with the consequences or get out of there.

Then, they turn around and whine about no penalty on Kaprisov for trying to pull Domi off of Dumba….after Domi gets let off the hook for a clear-cut instigator for running Dumba.  That’s not a fight.  Even if it were, it’s no longer one after Dumba is defenseless on the ground and Domi continues to pummel him.

Simultaneously, while whining about the interference (at worst) on Pavelski not getting the death penalty, they’ll say you’re crying if you point out Suter hurt Kaprisov with a cross check in front of the net.  Cross checks are explicitly illegal per the rule book.  Checks to the body are not.  I understand why they didn’t call the cross check.  But, you can’t have it both ways, Dallas fans.

In summary - Domi instigating and continuing, and Ryan Suter cross checking - penalties in the rule book but shouldn’t be called on their team.  Big hits, even though determined to not be head shot per NHL review, should be penalized as such anyway.  And Kaprisov should’ve gotten the penalty for trying to stop a clear instigation/continuation (not a fight).

The lowest IQ, devoid of logic, hockey take I’ve ever seen.  Basically, make up penalties to call on the Wild, don’t call actual penalties on the Stars.  

7 minutes ago, Protec said:

The footwork by Steel to receive the pass in stride and score on the breakaway.

I didn't hear the announcers acknowledge the high skill is took for Stache o' Steel to back hand catch that pass one handed in stride, but that was special.  Do we sign him for next 5 years in off-season?  No.  But Stache's agent has some ammunition for future negotiations.  Steel is Hartman 2.0.

Quote

I guess he wants to come over with a room mate in Khus$%^&*(?

To me, this is disappointing, I'd rather we got them both out of there considering the crisis in that area of the world.

I don’t think it’s too bad for those players to be in the KHL for their early development. Do I dare respond with an opinion on the relevant geopolitical situation?😃

If Knudi improves on his season and Yurov has a similar trajectory, the Wild will be looking good to get them signed when their deals expire. I mean, we don’t want them to come here too soon and then end up like a Rossi or Addison on the outside looking in. Russian hype has to be tempered over years of coming to terms with the possibility you’ve only got the next Sokolov or something.

Game 1 is in the bag.  The noose tightens a bit on Dallas, as we can play free of any pressure Wednesday. Goose2 played an amazing game after the 2 quick PKs were a disaster. 

How do we find a guy who can win draws? Do we slip the linesman a couple of Bennie's to drop the puck in our favor? We got owned in the dot, and this needs to be fixed.  

We have depth in goal, if I'm Evason, I'm starting Fleury game 2.  

1. 5 periods is a lot for a goalie, and Goose2 had over 50 saves.
2. that's a lot of water loss, and rehydrating is good for a goalie. 
3. I'd have to guess Oettinger won't have that benefit and it could wear him down.
4. It gives Fleury sight lines in the enemy arena.  Playoff looks are different, the fans are more rabid and tend to be waving towels. 
5. It gives the Stars a different look where they can't just sit on one goalie.

Suter's cross checks on Kaprizov went uncalled and will continue to go uncalled.  Suter is slow enough for a guy like Reaves to catch him.  Suter won't drop the gloves but some Reaves in his face and on his body is definitely something I'd be looking for in game 2.  I also think Benn will be a little more chippy and will need to be sat in the corner.  

Keep pounding their defense. It wears them down. Heiskanen needs to be slowed down.  I am not worried about the PK, if it can survive the 1st 10 seconds of the PK, it was effective.  It's that 1st draw that we need.  I'd also suggest that Hintz and Robertson need some retaliatory cross checks in the back.

Hit on Pavelski- This hit was not a dirty one, and was in the gray area of being late.  Fact is that Pavelski never saw it coming as Dumba came out of nowhere from his angle.  Dumba drove through him and didn't leave his feet until the impact of the contact through him off balance (he didn't launch). Pavelski's own stick got driven into this face and probably had something to do with it.  I wouldn't expect Pavelski to be cleared for game 2, nor cleared to travel for 3 & 4.  I think it was called correctly, and was actually surprised it was called correctly.  This tells me that Dallas is not one of the "preferred" franchises.  

This was a stolen win.  We were completely out of gas and it showed.  Any contact past the 10 minute mark in OT was just to hold our guys up. I thought Spurgeon had an up & down night.  Physically, I have not seen him dominated quite like that in some time.  He was on the ice a lot, sometimes due to blocks, but many times due to being checked. He got up every time and didn't give up on the plays like another smaller defender would have.

While this may sound a bit unethical, is there a way to merge Addison's offensive gifts into Faber?  I'm not saying Faber can't learn some offense, but he does everything and more that we want Addison to do in our end.  He is far more agile and quicker than Addison is, and his breakouts are better.  

After Dumba's hit on Pavelski and subsequent skirmish with Domi, he put a target on his back. Looking at his reaction in the penalty box, anyone else think he relishes that role?  Watch his back, but if they go after him, my suggestion is to take it out on Suter and Heiskanen, not Domi.  

Briefly watching the Edmonton-LA series with the in between periods look in, I'd have to say that the Western Conference has way more parity than the Eastern Conference.  To me, the West looks like anyone could come out of it.

6 minutes ago, Protec said:

I don’t think it’s too bad for those players to be in the KHL for their early development. Do I dare respond with an opinion on the relevant geopolitical situation?😃

If Knudi improves on his season and Yurov has a similar trajectory, the Wild will be looking good to get them signed when their deals expire. I mean, we don’t want them to come here too soon and then end up like a Rossi or Addison on the outside looking in. Russian hype has to be tempered over years of coming to terms with the possibility you’ve only got the next Sokolov or something.

For clarification, I wasn't trying to be geopolitical, just that the danger meter over there seems to be at least in the yellow.  

I don't think we're in danger of Yurov becoming the next Sokolov. When we drafted him in the 20s, to me, he looked out over the arena feeling very disrespected and pissed.  I thought he was taking names of teams that passed on him and when he gets here, he will be Kaprizov's wingman.  He needs to beef up a bit more, but the guy's got some skills and speed.  

He signed a 1 year deal, does that get him more ice time, or just the same treatment? Seems to me that playing in the K has a lot more politics in the area of are you heading to NA.  Those who are planning to seem to not get the same treatment.  

When Yurov does come over, it seems like he'll have no plans for the A, and, quite frankly, that probably means his ELC will be a benefit to us.  He will likely make more $ in the K developing than in the A here.

I thought you all might be interested in this-

AHL playoff format- Baby Wild have a 1st round matchup with Rockford which is a best of 3 series, kind of like a play in game.  Winner of that series takes on Texas, I believe around April 28th. That's quite a layoff for teams, I'd expect some rust.  

Wild are 9-5 against the Icehogs this season, but the main theme of these matchups has been going to OT, so they are closely matched.  I also don't believe the 2 teams like each other very much.  

Rockford has home ice advantage even though we tied in points.  Milwaukee and Manitoba are the other playoff teams in the division.  

I wonder if Petrovsky or anyone else will make it to Iowa after their season is over?  I think they can sign an ATO and play.  Haight's team is down 0-2 and play tonight.  I believe the baby Wild can use more offense.

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

We have depth in goal, if I'm Evason, I'm starting Fleury game 2. 

I hope so as well.  Fleury will be itching to get in the game.  It also allows for Gus to rest a bit.  It will be difficult for players to keep up this pace.  Klingberg and Alex are also rested.  If we have a defender or 2 that is banged up, let them rest.  Fresh guys can make a difference.  I sure wish we had Ek, Sundqvist and Shaw to help alleviate some of the banged up forwards.  I hear Ek and Sundqvist are skating.  Seems unlikely Ek makes it back for at least another week.  Anyone have an idea when Sundqvist could return?

2 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

Hit on Pavelski- This hit was not a dirty one, and was in the gray area of being late.  Fact is that Pavelski never saw it coming as Dumba came out of nowhere from his angle.  Dumba drove through him and didn't leave his feet until the impact of the contact through him off balance (he didn't launch). Pavelski's own stick got driven into this face and probably had something to do with it.  I wouldn't expect Pavelski to be cleared for game 2, nor cleared to travel for 3 & 4.  I think it was called correctly, and was actually surprised it was called correctly.  This tells me that Dallas is not one of the "preferred" franchises.  

This was a stolen win.  We were completely out of gas and it showed.  Any contact past the 10 minute mark in OT was just to hold our guys up. I thought Spurgeon had an up & down night.  Physically, I have not seen him dominated quite like that in some time.  He was on the ice a lot, sometimes due to blocks, but many times due to being checked. He got up every time and didn't give up on the plays like another smaller defender would have.

While this may sound a bit unethical, is there a way to merge Addison's offensive gifts into Faber?  I'm not saying Faber can't learn some offense, but he does everything and more that we want Addison to do in our end.  He is far more agile and quicker than Addison is, and his breakouts are better.  

After Dumba's hit on Pavelski and subsequent skirmish with Domi, he put a target on his back. Looking at his reaction in the penalty box, anyone else think he relishes that role?  Watch his back, but if they go after him, my suggestion is to take it out on Suter and Heiskanen, not Domi.  

.

Agree on the hit on Pavelski, it was a clean hit, though a bit late. If anything it was an interference call. Pavelski seems to be really shaken up and it looked like he did get a head injury, not from the Dumba hit, but from him hitting his head on the ice. I like Pavelski quite a bit, and hope its not too serious.

I think we were watching a different game when it came to Spurgeon? I didn't see him get dominated at all. The checks he took were mostly pretty minor, and nearly every time he went into a corner he came out with the puck. He outplayed Benn and Robertson every time he had to cover either of them. He saved three (!) goals with blocks on the right side of the cage versus open nets. He also had the primary assist on Kap's deflection and lead the breakout which resulted in the game winning goal. The two penalties I can see more being more up for debate. The first one I thought was a really week call as it was two players leaning on each other. The second one was a blatant slash, but it was penalty that probably wasn't a bad one to take.

On a side note regarding those block saves Spurgeon had, Middleton had at least one, Dumba had one too (and a hell of a game also), and the Faber one was absolutely game saving. Even John Merrill had one. Our defensemen were absolutely incredible and the reason we won this game.

Agreed on taking it out on Suter. The guy is a piece of work and I would love for him to get laid out with a heavy hit.

Great game of hockey overall, both goalies were fantastic and it was highly entertaining. This is what playoff hockey is meant to be.

Revisiting the Fiala trade after last night: Fiala pulled his usual playoff disappearing act and was completely invisible in last night’s Kings/Oilers game.

Only kidding, he was injured and didn’t even play. I really wanted to mention Faber though. Some of the comments on here a couple days ago suggested he couldn’t make the jump from college to playoff hockey, but he’s looked rock solid. So much poise, so much Brodin in him, he’s looking like a fixture in the lineup for the next ten+ years. 

As one of the people who was truly bummed about losing Fiala, I have to say, at this point, I’m not sure I’d take Fiala back for Faber straight up. And that’s even without  Öhgren. We’ll done BG!

P.S. Can’t mention Fiala without the classic gif.

5 hours ago, Secord Sucks said:

Dallas fans on Twitter were all whining about our guys taking runs at their players and crying about the Dumba hit that knocked Pavelski out, but to me Suter's shots on Kaprizov were much worse. Two blatant crosschecks when Kirill is nowhere near the puck.

I would not want to play hockey against Marcus Foligno. Moose was a monster last night/this morning--NINE hits, and it seemed like every single one was a bone cruncher. Can't wait to see Moose get a clean shot at Suter!

Reaves can go Game-7 on him any time now >:)

What's with the hometown Dallas announcers on ESPN?  I don't think I have ever experienced a national broadcast, in any sport, that was that bad.  Even ex-players who are now in the booth clearly know better than to call a game like that.

22 minutes ago, Will D. Ness said:

What's with the hometown Dallas announcers on ESPN?  I don't think I have ever experienced a national broadcast, in any sport, that was that bad.  Even ex-players who are now in the booth clearly know better than to call a game like that.

one of them admitted he had picked the Stars to make it to the Finals so naturally they were announcing the games like that. But yes, very obvious they weren't used to playoff hockey. 

Tbf it does get pretty damn brutal but how they reacted to Dumba's "dirty" hit was very different than how they treated the Stars' cheap shots. 

30 minutes ago, Will D. Ness said:

What's with the hometown Dallas announcers on ESPN?  I don't think I have ever experienced a national broadcast, in any sport, that was that bad.  Even ex-players who are now in the booth clearly know better than to call a game like that.

I'm glad I could watch it on Bally's and not BSPN