I'm pulling for a win... period. I don't care if it's garbage time or game 7 of the cup finals, I am a Wild fan who wants to watch the Wild win any game they play.
That's my perspective. I cannot root for a favorite team of mine to lose... ever.
Well from my perspective I watched the team I care about totally give up and start planning for their early April golf dates back in December when they were still in first. And while I am glad that they've finally recovered their ability to fight back and give a damn, the fact that it comes after being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs gives it an asterisk in my eyes because now all the pressure to succeed is off.
It's sort of like those people who can't take tests. And I mean literally can not take tests because they do so terribly under pressure situations. Take the pressure off and suddenly they do as good as anyone else. That worries me going into next season, honestly. I've learned to expect nothing but the worst from this team, or any other Minnesota team over the 10 years or so I've been watching sports. And I think a high draft pick would be one thing that might really accelerate a long term turnaround.
I'm a defeated Minnesota sports fan. I hope you can respect that.
I'm not asking you to hope for a different result... I'm just pointing out that this game, I truly believe the Wild will win... with more confidence than any other game this season, just looking at the team now and looking at the situation of the game.
Defeated sports fan or not, you can see realistically the Wild should actually have complete advantage this game.
I'm not asking you to hope for a different result... I'm just pointing out that this game, I truly believe the Wild will win... with more confidence than any other game this season, just looking at the team now and looking at the situation of the game.
Defeated sports fan or not, you can see realistically the Wild should actually have complete advantage this game.
Well let's look at the pros and cons from the Wild's perspective.
Pro: Last game and last home game of the season
Pro: The Coyotes are on the tail end of a back to back and may be tired later in the game
Con: The Coyotes have major draft position to play for. The difference between facing Chicago at home or playing Vancouver/St.Louis on the road is HUGE. In addition, given Glendale's political climate and the ongoing team ownership drama, this is likely the Coyotes last regular season game as the Phoenix Coyotes. Their players will likely want to do everything they can to extend their season and try to give their fans a reason to cheer, and perhaps finally get the Coyotes past the first round. The Coyotes have not won a playoff round since they were called the Winnipeg jets, and you have to imagine the players want to give themselves the best shot possible to at the very least ditch that dubious distinction before the Yotes pack up and move (likely to Quebec).
Con: Defense Omelet again with Prosser suspended.
Con: We seem to have issues with teams on back to backs.
You forgot another couple Pros... the Wild are playing with confidence, and the Wild Omlet D has found a couple workhorses that they appear to be able to rely on in Gilbert (been a monster for us since the trade) and Scandella (finally looking like he is ready to step up his game).
You forgot another couple Pros... the Wild are playing with confidence, and the Wild Omlet D has found a couple workhorses that they appear to be able to rely on in Gilbert (been a monster for us since the trade) and Scandella (finally looking like he is ready to step up his game).
I was looking only at issues specific to this game.
Gilbert has been probably the best thing since the trade deadline. He started out slow, but yeah he has been a monster lately. Him and Scandella.
So many said he would never make the NHL because of his size. Even if this will be his one and only game in the big show he still proved many folks wrong.
So many said he would never make the NHL because of his size. Even if this will be his one and only game in the big show he still proved many folks wrong.
And it only took 4 injuries and a suspension but he did it!
Defeated sports fan or not, you can see realistically the Wild should actually have complete advantage this game.
The Coyotes are playing for their first ever division title. A win and they have it. Phoenix has nearly everything to play for. Plus they're way better than us too. Can't forget that.
Then, as I said, factor in the home season finale incentive for the Wild... last game of the year, and last for them to make the home crowd roar, they usually have extra jump.
