2009-10 Game Sixty: Wild 2, Thrashers 3

That sound you hear may just be the Wild's post-season hopes slipping away completely. In a game that the team felt they needed to win, against a team that they'd never lost to in regulation, the Wild did everything in their power to keep themselves out of the game. They just kept marching to the penalty box all night long, giving Atlanta a couple of different 5-on-3 situations, and at least one 4-on-3 situation.

Needless to say, the game was a whistle-fest, as neither team could really get anything moving. There was an average of one stoppage in play for every minute (probably more, actually), and that took any sort of momentum away for the most part. The few glimpses of sustained pressure came from an Atlanta team that has been cleaning house, obviously looking to set themselves up for next season, considering this one to be long gone.

And now the Wild have that decision looming ahead of them. The Minnesota front office felt that they needed to pull at least eight points out of this homestand to seriously fight for a playoff spot. Well, they now need to beat Vancouver on Sunday to do so, and that might be a big challenge, the way that they've played the last 5 periods. While the Wild didn't shy away from taking shots, like they did the previous game, they've got to relearn discipline.


Game pluses:
- Mikko Koivu. The Wild's captain set up both Wild goals, and was competitive and buzzing all night long. He just needs someone else who can finish.
- Cal Clutterbuck. Consider him something of a battery. Not only did he work hard to help the Wild's second goal, but he kept trying to spark his team to do something.
- Greg Zanon. With the Wild trading their minutes leader, members of the defense needed to step up, and Zanon performed admirably, clocking in with 25 minutes of ice time.

Game minuses:
- Discipline. Admittedly, some of the penalties called, and some that weren't, were truly mind-boggling, but that doesn't make up for the fact that the Wild couldn't stay out of the penalty box. The most glaring example was after being handed a 4-minute power play, the Wild took two quick penalties to give Atlanta the man advantage.
- Derek Boogaard. Boogaard only had a minute of ice time. He was in the penalty box for longer than that. Boogaard has done well this season to not make himself a liability on the ice, but that wasn't the case against Atlanta.
- Pace. The pace to the game was awful. Earlier this season, the Wild played a game where they actually eliminated one of the television time-outs, due to a lack of whistles and play stoppages. In this game, they could have included another two or three to make up for the one missed.

Next up: The Wild desperately need a win, and they'll get to stay at home, with the same officiating crew, to find it. Newly acquired defenseman Cam Barker might be on the ice as Minnesota welcomes the Vancouver Canucks in the final game before the Olympic break.