SB Nation Minnesota: All Posts by Bryan Reynolds

A Lannister Always Pays His Debts: Extolling the Virtues of Todd Bertuzzi

2013-05-11T16:39:43Z

When the Houston Aeros made their Calder Cup run last year, we bet the folks over at Silver Seven on the outcome, and wound up giving up our tag line on the site for a month. This year, we bet the good folks at Winging it in Motown on the outcome of the Aeros - Griffins series. The Aeros let us down, again.

Rather than something simple, we went big. Loser had to write a post extolling the virtues of a player to be chosen by the winner. JJ chose Todd Bertuzzi. Never gamble, kids.

Todd Bertuzzi has a terrible reputation across most of the NHL. This reputation is, for the most part, well deserved. He did attack Steve Moore and end Moore's career, earning Bertuzzi a near career ending suspension. If not for the loving affection of Gary Bettman, we may not be having this conversation.

If you can set that aside, however (not easy, we know), Bertuzzi does have some qualities that made it possible to resurrect his career.

For one, the guy knows how to win. Forty-one game winning goals in his career, and nine times served for teams that made the playoffs. He also knows what it takes to score. Raise your hand if you knew he had a 97 point season in 2002-03. Anyone? Anyone at all? Forty-six goals and 51 assists that season. Side note, proof that +/- is a terrible stat? Bertuzzi was a +2 that season.

Thirteen seasons with double digit goals, five with 20 or more, one at 36, and one at 46. The guy knows how to score.

He also knows how to use the assets given to him. At 6 foot 3 inches, 275 pounds, Bertuzzi is a force to be reckoned with on the ice, even at age 38. The season he scored 97 points, he also racked up 144 PIMs, the most in his career. As Geroge Carlin would say, "If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten."

Bertuzzi has shown he can score, he has shown he can play with an edge (sometimes too far), and has proven, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he has one of the greatest abilities to trash talk the NHL has ever seen. Two examples, just against the Wild, come to mind.

In the 2003 playoff run, the Wild had forced game five against the Canucks, and tickets for game six had to be sold, in case there was a game six. The tickets for that game went on sale prior to game four, and fans were lined up at the box office. As Bertuzzi entered the building, he mentioned that fans were "wasting their time. There's not going to be a game six." This, and not the Steve Moore incident, continue to gain Bertuzzi a chorus of boos every time he touches the puck at the X.

A couple years ago, Bertuzzi came to town with the Wings, scored the game tying goal in the third, and the game deciding goal in the shoot out. When asked about it by reporters, he said something along the lines of, "It felt good. Even better that it was here, in front of these great fans."

That's grade A trash talk, folks. Sarcastic, biting, dry humor that digs right to the very soul of a fan. Good stuff.

To be honest, after the Moore incident, I felt (and still believe) that Bertuzzi never should have been allowed near an ice rink again, let alone to play for an NHL team. Some things just aren't forgivable. Which is a shame, because without that, I think Todd Bertuzzi could have been one of my favorite players, ever. There's a lot to like about the guy, but that one thing ruined him and his legacy forever.

Which isn't even the real shame in the whole thing.

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2013: Is it Time to Buck Superstition?

2013-05-08T15:00:08Z

Let's face it, athletes are weird. They sacrifice large portions of their lives to dedicate themselves to playing children's games and hope one day for the big score. On top of that, they forgo the ability to logically think through a problem, and instead put their trust in a habit or other unchanging portion of their life to get them through. Add in the fact that hockey players are a little off to begin with, and goalies doubly so, and it makes for a rich mix of pseudo-religious fervor at playoff time.

Every player has their superstition. Some put the left skate on first, but tie the right one first. Others only tape their sticks one way, with tape running clockwise versus counterclockwise. Niklas Backstrom has his infamous "turtle walk" before the games he starts, and if he is interrupted or even encountered, the entire day is shot and we all may as well move to Mars.

The fans, coaches, even media surrounding a team grow their "playoff beard." Why? Because we have to. If we don't it's our fault they lost. If they lose anyway, then it on them, but we did our part by not shaving. Fans eat the same foods for a week if the team is winning, players wear the same socks, coaches the same tie. We all do it, we reach for the lucky charm and silently hope it is enough to will our favorite team to success.

There is no doubt that the players are doing their best to uphold their superstitions, the coaches are looking to change something up (but not the tie...), and fans are just hoping that holding their beer in their left hand on Thursday, rather than the right, is enough to get the Wild through their first elimination game in five years.

The question you have to ask though, is... "Is it time to buck superstition?" Should we have a mass beard shaving? All line up and greet Backstrom as he walks United Center? Wear a different pair of socks to work than we did for the last week and a half?

It may be a slight to the hockey gods, but maybe the hockey gods want us to help ourselves. Who are we to assume we know what they want? The best we can hope for is to not anger them, lest they rain down their anger by hurting Josh Hardin in the first period of a game three and forcing Mike Yeo to play Darcy Kuemper for the rest of the game against the President's trophy winning Chicago Blackhawks.

Oh. Wait.

Wild fans, our time here is short. The Wild face an elimination game, in Chicago, against the best team in the regular season. All this, while relying on the same superstitions that got them in this mess to get them out of it.

The only thing left to do? This:

Jonas Brodin Snubbed for Calder: PHWA Blows Another One

2013-05-06T15:45:04Z

When a PHWA member sits down to vote on awards, one has to wonder what the criteria are that they are looking for. Every writer cannot watch every game, cannot see every play a player made all season, and has to find something that will narrow the field. Rarely does an NHL award go to the most deserving player.

The Norris goes to the guy with the most points, the Hart goes to Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin, the Calder goes to which ever rookie is in the most highlight reels, and the Masterton goes to whichever player tried to end the most careers in his time, but then felt really bad about it later.

It's the circle of life.

What the criteria are, we may never know, for as much as some of the most vocal members of the PHWA complain about anonymity on the internet, very few of them are willing to disclose their votes, let alone justify their reasons. We all make great choices when we don't need to defend them.

I follow a number of the PHWA writers. Not one has justified leaving Brodin off their ballot. Several have asked how others would. There have been no answers as of yet. We likely won't see any. Which is fine, but any singular member of the PHWA unwilling to publish their ballots and defend them (not necessarily to every single idiot on Twitter, but at least give a reason in an article or post) needs to hand in their "Oh, you're such an internet tough guy" card.

There are a few people who tell me this doesn't matter, that I'm tilting at windmills and in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't rightly concern anyone. I agree 100%. Didn't see that coming did you?

They are right. It doesn't matter. Nick at Hitting the Post reminds us that childhood obesity is a real issue. I would counter with childhood obesity is a direct result of poor parenting, which is the real issue. Guess what, though? I don't write about real world issues. I have in the past, but only when they cross my little escape from those issues.

This isn't about if hockey is important enough to warrant getting upset about. It isn't, really. Now, ask the folks in Buffalo if Brett Hull's skate was in the crease. Are their kids going to go hungry because of a blown call? Nope. Are they still pissed off about it? Sure are.

It won't change a single Wild fan's opinion on Brodin. He is still the best rookie on the ice this season, and anyone who has watched him play knows it. He is going to be a rock for this team for the next 20 years, and having the Calder trophy makes no difference to that. In fact, maybe it keeps his price down ever so slightly in the next contract negotiation.

This isn't about Brodin, his ability, or what he should or should not win.

This is about yet another broken system surrounding the game we love. The NHL Department of Player Safety Jokes has no concern for player safety. The PHWA blows the awards every year. Almost as bad as the DPSJ. Almost. The question here is, do we just ignore it? Let it continue without saying a word?

Why? Because "hockey doesn't matter?" If you're reading this site, I think we both know that isn't true.

There are things that matter inside the game. If you get upset and think Mikko Koivu should lose the C, you've gone off the deep end. If you ask your favorite PHWA member to justify their vote on major awards, it seems a reasonable thing to do. If they refuse, take whatever action you so choose. They shouldn't be afraid to give a reason to their audience.

It all comes down to which PHWA chapters have more votes, and which players the writers watch more than others. You can call it "east coast bias," but what it really is... is lazy journalism. If you're OK with lazy journalism, that's fine. I'm not, and I never have been. Many have lectured me about righteous indignation, including some today. If we are not indignant about things that are righteous, than why bother?

I'm not screaming at you to cancel your subscription, stop watching hockey, or demand these writers be fired. However, you are their audience. You should be questioning what they are feeding you. They blew this one. They will blow it again. Until they have to justify themselves and stop hiding behind their anonymity in voting.

It's also time for larger chapters to lose their sway over voting. One vote per chapter. But that is another debate entirely.

Brodin got hosed by a terrible system. There are too many terrible systems in our game, and this one is the easiest to fix. Fix it.

Minnesota Swarm Fall in East Final, End 2013 Season

2013-05-05T13:22:55Z

The Minnesota Swarm started the season on a sour note. Captain Andrew Suitor was serving a carry over suspension, and the team lost their first two game of the season. Suitor returned, the team found itself a bit, but found it difficult to find consistency. Then Suitor was injured, the Swarm lost three straight before going 5-2 to finish the regular season and grab the final playoff spot,but not before losing their final game and being forced East and on the road for the duration.

If there were to be a one game summation of that season, the Swarm played it yesterday against the Rochester Knighthawks.

The Swarm were shutout in the first quarter, falling behind 3-0 and struggling to get anything going. In the second, they put up five goals and went into the half tied up. The game started to slip away in the third, but the Swarm stayed close. Then, in the fourth, the Swarm turned on the jets and cruised out to their first lead.

When they scored what looked to be a goal that would have put them up 10-7, the refs saw fit to interpret a crease violation rule very loosely and wipe it off the board. Moments later, the Knighthawks would score, and rather than be up three, the Swarm lead was cut to just one. After that, the shift was on, and the Knighthawks out their foot on the gas and would up defeating the Swarm 12-10.

Callum Crawford finished his acting captaincy with eight points (2G, 6A), and Ryan benesch added seven of his own (3G, 4A). Kiel Matisz and Shayne Jackson both scored, but did not seem to have the leeway they are normally given, which cost the Swarm dearly. In a change of fates, it was the Knighthawks' balanced attack that killed the Swarm. Seven Knighthawks scored, with Johnny Powless and Craig Point both putting in a hat trick or better.

Matt Vinc lived up to all of the hype surrounding his game, and Tyler Carlson did his best to hang with the best in the business, but the Kinghthawks' defense was simply too much, and the momentum switch at the end crushed the Swarm's hope of a completed comeback and a first ever visit to the Champions Cup.

With that, the Swarm 2013 season comes to an end, and the focus shifts to the offseason. Via the shrewd trades by John Arlotta, and finishing position of the Swarm themselves, the team holds the top two overall picks in the 2013 draft, as well as two other first round picks. This, to go with the four first rounders from this season, and a veteran core. This Swarm team is the most exciting thing in Minnesota right now, and will be very good for a long time.

The sting is new, and the wound is fresh. The players and organization are justifiably disappointed, but when the pain fades, they will know they took another big step toward success.

If you still are not on board with this team, you're denying yourself a great sports story. It all starts again this fall. Be there.

Minnesota Swarm Face Rochester Knighthawks in NLL East Finals

2013-05-04T14:30:01Z

The NLL is down to its final two weekends, and the Minnesota Swarm are still around. Win today against the Rochester Knighthawks, and it is on to the Champions Cup. Lose, and it is players spreading out across the continent and plenty of time to think about it.

This is the second time the Swarm have advanced to the division finals, winning last season in the first round only to get crushed by the Edmonton Rush 15-3 with a huge helping of embarrassment on their home turf. This season, they head to Rochester to face the defending champs and one of the stingiest goalies in the league in Matt Vinc. With the Swarm putting up 20 goals like it is drinking a glass of water, we have the unstoppable force facing the immovable object today.

The Swarm's story to get here has been well documented here at Hockey Wilderness. Andrew Suitor out with injury, Callum Crawford in as captain, rookies Keil Matisz and Shayne Jackson tearing up the NLL, Transition Player of the Year Jordan MacIntosh putting up gaudy stats, Swarm defense solidifying, and Tyler Carlson absolutely on fire in net.

This all adds up to a known quantity for the Swarm. They need to get the transition game going to build the offense, and need to get the offense going to keep the pressure off the defense. Pressure off the defense keeps the shots from the Knighthawks to the outside and makes the goalie better.

Simple, right?

For the Hawks, the story is not one of impressive offense and high flying scoring attack. Their leading scorer is Cody Jamieson with 89 points (28G, 61A) followed by Dan Dawson at 75 (23G, 52A). After that, the scoring drops off quickly, with Cory Vitarelli having 44 points (25G, 19A). The Swarm have 95 points from Crawford, 84 from Ryan Benesch, 63 from Jackson, 62 from Matisz, and 55 from MacIntosh.

It is a balanced attack that is nearly impossible to stop. If the Swarm can stop two players, they have a great chance to win. The Knighthawks have to stop five, which is a tall order for anyone. That said, this Knighthawks team is built on defense, and the protection of Vinc. For the Swarm to crack this nut, they will need to keep things simple and get Vinc moving and get in close.

Reports from Rochester say the mood in the room is light and confident. Win and they get a shot at the Champions Cup. The pressure in on.

The Swarm continue their "unfinished business" campaign in 2013 today at 3PM. The game can be found on CBS Sports Network and on MNSwarm.com.

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2013 - Minnesota Wild @ Chicago Blackhawks: Game 2

2013-05-03T19:01:03Z

The Wild showed they can hang with the Blackhawks. Can they do more?

The Minnesota Wild threw everything they had at the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. It didn't work. The Hawks were proven to be the better team, and they took the 1-0 series lead as a result. The Wild did show they can hang with the Hawks, and the effort was definitely entertaining for fans, but there are also some key deficiencies the Wild have that were highlighted.

The Hawks showed that their depth and speed are still unmatched by the Wild. Josh Harding had to be nearly perfect to keep the team in the game as wave after wave of Hawks offense crashed over them. The Wild were pinned in their own zone several times for far too long. At the other end of the ice, the Wild never seemed to get any cycling set up, no puck movement, no control. Cory Crawford was coughing up juicy rebounds, yet there were no Wild players there to capitalize.

Certainly, the game had its positives. The Wild never showed panic, they continued to fight and battle until the bitter end, and they truly showed the Hawks that this will not simply be handed to them on a silver platter. Anyone who thought it would be is, well, delusional.

The Wild need to find another gear if they hope to climb back in this thing. Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu need to get the top line fired up. Along with Charlie Coyle, they are going to face the toughest competition all series. They need to find a way to overcome that and put points on the board, or the Wild are doomed.

The second line needs to contribute as well, and needs to come out of their shell quickly. Jason Zucker was the best player on that line, and he was making his playoff debut. The bottom six of the Wild are going to have to realize that the bottom six of the Hawks is not build like them, as well. Speed, size, offense. The bottom six for the Hawks is the dagger, and if the Wild can't find a way to match them, it will be certain death.

The Wild's defensive play was far from terrible, with Ryan Suter and Jonas Brodin leading the way, and the rest of the D corps doing their part. They will need to do so again, and hope the offense can contribute, in order for the Wild to climb back into the series.

Game two is far from a "must-win," but down 2-0 is a much different situation than tied 1-1 and headed home. The Wild showed they can keep up, now we get to see if they can do more than that.

Late start tonight, 8:30, so we''l see you back here for the game thread this evening.

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2013 - Minnesota Wild @ Chicago Blackhawks: Game 2

2013-05-03T19:00:07Z

Game two is far from a "must-win," but down 2-0 is a much different situation than tied 1-1 and headed home. The Wild showed they can keep up, now we get to see if they can do more than that.

Late start tonight, 8:30, so we''l see you back here for the game thread this evening.

Please Welcome Eric Burton to Hockey Wilderness

2013-05-01T18:30:04Z

As Nathan and I continue our binge drinking escape from the Wilderness, we continue to keep our eyes open for writers who can better the community with unique angles and coverage. Today, we introduce a writer that many of you should already be familiar with, both from here at HW, and also from Twitter, where he goes by the name @goon48.

Please welcome Eric Burton to the Hockey Wilderness staff.

From Eric:

Eric is a 1996, 1999 graduate of the University of North Dakota and has been a hockey fan for three plus decades. Eric covers the University of North Dakota Hockey for Inside Hockey and The Hockey Writers Combine. Eric was recently picked up by Get Real Hockey and is the owner editor of the popular fan blog Goon's World. Eric enjoys hockey, football, and playing golf. Eric is an avid hunter and fisherman and can be found fishing in the northern lakes of the State of Hockey with his father.

Obviously, we hope writing in the third person continues. And that he starts to call himself "The Eric." That would top all this off.

Eric will be adding to the coverage of the Minnesota Wild, with his own perspective, but also will be supplementing the college hockey coverage once that season fires up again. He is a University of North Dakota fan, so try not to hold that against him. He's good people, and he is now one of you.

Please welcome him as only you can, Wilderness.