LA Kings defenseman Drew Doughty falls, but ends up scoring against Minnsota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom
on December 29, 2009 at Staples Center.
Photo: Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

Former Kings center Eric Belanger scored two goals, including the game-winner at 17:43 of the third period, and added an assist, while goaltender Niklas Backstrom stopped 29 shots to lead the Wild to the victory.

Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson and Scott Parse, who was recalled from the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League (Kings’ primary minor league affiliate) earlier in the day, scored for the Kings.

Jonathan Quick stopped nineteen shots in the loss, and allowed a soft goal to Martin Havlat early in the second period.

Williams underwent successful ankle surgery earlier in the day to repair a broken fibula (Kings head coach Terry Murray said that he had a broken leg on December 26) and torn ligaments in his right ankle.

Audio Interviews (raw, unedted)

Matt Greene (0:58)

Game Highlights From NHL Video On YouTube:

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AT

Colorado Avalanche (20-11-6, 46 pts) @ Minnesota Wild (17-15-3, 37 pts)

Season Series

10/21/2009 3 2

11/27/2009 5 3

11/28/2009 3   2

12/9/2009 1 0

What’s the Big Deal?

The Wild weren’t exactly on fire Saturday night against Ottawa, unlike their equipment bus on Friday. The Wild lost in Ottawa 4-1, with Nik Backstrom stopping 24 of 28. Speaking of Backstrom, he’s 14-2-2 against the Avalanche in his career, with a 1.99 GAA. The Wild have struggled against everyone, but the Avs, this season.

Meanwhile, the Avalanche are on the road for one game, after a five game home stand, that saw an embarrassing 6-1 loss to Washington, followed by a 5-2 pasting of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Colorado is looking to avoid going 0-5 against the Wild this season, as they have struggled against the Wild.

Goaltending Matchups

Craig Anderson (17-8-5 2.65 GAA, 3 SO)

Niklas Backstrom (15-11-3 2.45 GAA, 1 SO)

Injuries

By the Numbers

Colorado Avalanche 20-11-6

Minnesota Wild 17-15-3

SCORING
106	Goals	87
192	Assists	146
298	Points	233
28	Power Play Goals	25
3	Short-Handed Goals	2
GOALIES/PENALTIES
2.70	GAA	2.69
.914	Saves %	.902
4	Shutouts	1
493	PIM	366

Infamous Prediction

I think a quote from Brett Clark says it all:

“Any year, any team can have another team’s number; they just happen to have ours right now, We have to step up and change that starting tomorrow. We just need to stick to our game plan and worry about ourselves.”

Yes, that’s the best way explain it, Brett. The last time the Avs took the ice against the Wild, they played arguably their most embarrassing game this season. Will it be time to rebound in St. Paul?

2          1

AT  

Minnesota Wild (13-13-3, 29 pts) @ Colorado Avalanche (17-9-6, 40 pts)

Season Series

10/21/2009 3, 2 Shootout

11/27/2009 5, 3

11/28/2009 3, 2 Shootout

What’s the Big Deal?

There is always THAT team. That one team, no matter how well you play, how hard you try, you just can’t beat. For the last few years, for the Avalanche, that team has been the Wild.

Colorado is coming off a 3-1-1 road trip, with a shoot out loss in Florida, that showed everyone what this team is truly made of, and a 4-1 loss to Pittsburgh, in which a quick whistle by the refs was the main difference in the game. For all the improvements and youth being talked about on the Colorado Avalanche, the show stopper for the last three games has been the brilliant goal-tending of Peter Budaj. Boods is 2-1 since Craig Anderson went down with a neck injury, and recorded a shutout against St. Louis, and nearly had one against Columbus. Overall, Budaj is 1-1-1 vs. the Wild, with a 1.58 GAA.

On the other side, there may not be a hotter team in the NHL now than the Wild. 6-2-2 in their last ten, although they are coming off being shutout by the Phoenix Coyotes, the Wild have scored a power play goal in seven of their last eight games. The Wild are 4-10-2 on the road this year, however, they do own a 3-2 shootout victory over the Avs at the Pepsi Center this year. The Wild are on the third of a five game road trip.

Goaltending Probables

Niklas Backstrom (11-10-3 2.67 GAA)

Peter Budaj (3-2-1 2.63 GAA, 1 SO)

Injuries

By the Numbers (CBS Sportsline)

Minnesota Wild 13-13-3

Colorado Avalanche 17-9-6

Infamous Prediction

On paper, the Avs are a better team. Yet, this is why the cliché “games aren’t played on paper” was coined. Colorado is better than the Wild, but the Wild just find ways to win the game. I really don’t see that trend stopping tonight. The Avs are coming off an east coast road trip, and the Wild are just damn pesky.

2   1

Lat night’s game was B-E-A-utiful! My favorite goal was definatley Nolans last second empty netter Those are my favorite!  And I don’t know if you know but last night’s win was Niklas Backstrom’s 100th win and the first time the Wild have won on the road against the Leafs!!! Crazy shit there.

23 more days till Nashville!!!! Sweet!!! Do I have any Nashville or Shea Weber fans out there?

Yeah I don’t really know what to say. I think I might do another list type post later this week or weekend. My favorites part 2? Idk yet.

TTYL

Congrats Backstrom!!

Alright so I think I’ve had the wort 2 days of my life! My friend Kaitlyn, who I’m seriously considering shunning is (Pardon my French) being the biggest bitch ever!!! I can’t even explain it but I’m so pissed at her! I just had to quickley vent alittle.

On a good note I have had the 2nd and 3rd most hits on this blog since I went on a posting frenzy on a webiste and posted “New Blog!” haha. That makes me kinda happy. I like comments too!

The Wild lost last night. It was a pretty decent game. They weren’t great, (obviously) but they weren’t horrible(until the 3rd period). Brodziak had a great game last night tallying the Wild’s only goals. I was totally cheering him on for that hat trick. He almost had it too! The goalie was down, the net was open and he wa right there!!! But he FANNED on the shot! I feel bad for him.I feel bad for Backstrom too this year. He tries so hard but his team can’t score a goal. (except for Brunette)

Yesterday I also said that Both of the Sedin Twins were injured. I was wrong just one of them was( I can’t remember which one and I think the one that played scored  goal. Correct me if I’m wrong.)

Wild play the Stars tomorrow. I’m excited that I get to go but I’m not excited to play the Stars. Hopefully it will be better than yesterday.

Alright talk to you tomorrow!

Backstrom was a brick wall tonight. Period.

It always sucks when the Pens lose. Especially if they outshoot the other team 35-15.

This game reminds me of the last time we played Minnesota, and their only goal was by our own Mike Zigomanis. They went on to win in a shoot out. Why am I talking about last season?

Anyways…we lost so this post will be a joke.

1ST PERIOD:

All of the scoring happened in the 1st period. And let me say that Chris Conner is a beast out there for only being 5′8″.

Belanger goes to the box for tripping Chris Bourque at 11:51. Nothing happens.

Dupuis creates tons of chances. No surprise.

Brodziak scores off a rebound at 7:49. 1-0.

Dupuis’ hardwork finally pays off because he scores at 5:12. 1-1. Dupuis finishing his chances…I almost didn’t believe it.

Just when the 1st period is about to end and you think that nothing is going to happen, Belanger wrists a beautiful shot past Fleury at 0.6 seconds left. 2-1. Why does that even happen?

2ND PERIOD:

The Pens kept shooting and Backstrom kept robbing them with his glove. Billy hits the post, Staal plays unbelievable, and Orpik is even on the rush at one point.

Someone was knitting behind the Pens bench.

Sid goes to the box for slashing at 6:37. It’s always slashing.

Sidney Crosby gets in a fight. Yeah, you read that correctly. Sidney Crosby got in a fight. I was surprised, too. The crowd went as wild as they would have for a goal.

Brooks talks to the officials, working his “A”. Noice.

Pens get another power play with 1:29 left in the 2nd. No goal, except we really start to see how Goligoski is Gonchar 2.0. He turns into Santonio Holmes and jumps 20 feet to keep the puck from going offsides.

Jordan Staal gets to be our franchise center for about 7 minutes.

3RD PERIOD:

3rd period was insane.

Pens get another power play at 15:51 because of the Wild having too many men on the ice. Nothing.

Some idiot slashes Sid’s stick in half but the refs don’t call a penalty. Sid starts to get really mad, then he practically misses the puck drop so the Wild clear the zone.

I look up to see Havlat get completely leveled by Oprik. It turns out to be the Sandwich of the Game.

Letang shoves Sykora, and Sykora high-sticks Letang. So many penalties that it wouldn’t have been surprising if they called Malkin for something.

The rest of the game, the Pens were firing shots at Backstrom and getting in his face, but Backstrom wouldn’t let anything in.

Near the end, Goligoski falls over and his stick flies into Belanger’s face. Blood everywhere. Whatev.

Game.

MISCELLANEOUS:

- Unfortunately, Sid and Goligoski both ended their point streaks. Sid’s 6-game streak consisted of 5G-6A, while Goligoski’s 7-game streak consisted of 4G-4A. Goligoski is 3rd in points among NHL defensemen.

- At least Skoula has an assist in 2 games, having recorded that assist on The Duper’s goal.

- Pens tied the league record for most wins in the first month of the season. Great job, Pens.

- I drowned myself in Andes Candies after the game.

- Mark Letestu was recalled from Wilkes-Barre earlier today but he just got reassigned. Sorry, Letestu.

- Half of our team is injured.

Let’s Go Pens.

Niklas Bäckström beskrivs av The Hockey News som den viktigaste kuggen i Washinton maskineriet. Det är Ovetchkin och Semin som syns men det är Bäckströms smarthet och skicklighet som grundar för det. Coachen Bruce Bodreau säger att som passare hamnar han i samma kategori som de bästa passningsläggarna i NHL idag, men han är lika bra defensivt och kan användas för att döda numerära underlägen. Det enda problem man har med Bäckström är att undvika att slita ut honom genom att spela honom för mycket.

Assisterande coachen påminner om att ofta när man ser reprisen av ett Ovtchkin mål upptäcker man att det är Bäckström som ger honom pucken på bladet i ett perfekt skottläge.Bäckström som fyller 22 i november gjorde 55 assists under sin Rookie säsong och 66 ifjol. Hittills i år är han uppe i 13 assist och tre mål och ligger nia i NHL’s poängliga.

Alright, so in case you haven’t already heard the Nashville Predators are coming to St. Paul to battle it out against the Wild tonight.The Wild look to keep a perfect record at home and will try to produce more offense. Josh Harding is out with “Lower Body stiffness” and the Wild have called up Khudobin from the Aeros, but that shouldn’t be a factor because Backstrom will most likely be in the net tonight. If you’re going to the game tonight be sure to stop by the Hockey Lodge and get your Mikko Koivu bobble head. I totally want one, but am unfortunately not going to the game tonight. It kinda sucks though that there 25 bucks. Other teams are giving away bobble heads away for free and we have to pay 25 bucks. Oh well. As long as the Wild can win tonight everything is ok.

I finally picked where I wanna go for my birthday! I originally wanted to go to Tampa Bay, but that didn’t work out. So now I’m going to Nashville! Not a coincidence that the happen to be here tonight. My aunts been there before and she said it was fun, but I just wanted to go cause I like Shea Weber.

Anaheim Ducks

Atlanta Thrashers

Boston Bruins

Buffalo Sabres

Calgary Flames

Carolina Hurricanes

Chicago Blackhawks

Colorado Avalanche

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dallas Stars

Detroit Red Wings

Edmonton Oilers

Florida Panthers

LA Kings

Minnesota Wild

Montreal Canadians

Nashville Predators

New Jersey Devils

New York Islanders

New York Rangers

Ottawa Senators

Philadelphia Flyers

Phoenix  Coyotes

Pittsburgh Penguins

San Jose Sharks

St.Louis Blues

Tampa Bay Lightning

Toronto Maple Leafs

Vancouver Canucks

Washington Capitals

Alright Go Wild!!!

Last night was the highlight of the hockey season… So far. The Wild for the first time played a full 60 minutes, 63 minutes if you count overtime. The first period was pretty much the same that it’s been the whole year: turnovers, sloppy skating, etc. But luckily for us the Hurricanes played the same way. The second and third periods were still equal between the two teams in shots and goals. Overtime was short, thank god! I hate overtime and shoot-outs! They scare me more than little kids eating cake. It’s so terrifying that you can watch your team battle it out and stay even through regulation then come up in the losing end because the other team just happens to score first. Stupid. BUT the Wild and a little help from Cal Clutterbuck pulled out a win in overtime.

Clutterbuck! You are amazing! I have to admit I did notice that you were pretty slow to begin the game. Not much checking or any of your usual spunky moves, but you made up for it on overtime.

I love this picture, so I set it as my desktop on my computer. But you can just see the pure joy and happiness in Clutterbuck’s face knowing that he just gave Cam Ward a brutal beating.

John Scot! I love fights, therefore, I love you! I do have to add though that Tim Conboy, the guy you fought with and who had the cheap shot on Clutterbuck is from Minnesota. The Farmington/Rosemount area to specific. His dad Dr.Conboy is the discipline guy at my high school. But anyways congrats on pretty much dominating that fight. And kudos for fighting literally as soon as you got out of the penalty box. Never seen that before, so I liked that.

Niklas Backstrom! I finally see the Backy who played in his first All-star game, was a Veznia trophy finalist and just the general badass goalie from last year. That save you had on Eric Staal in the first and third periods were down right beautiful.

Congratulations Wild on the amazing victory over the Hurricanes!

And continuing with my away trip checklist. I have narrowed it down even more but not by a lot. I decided that I don’t have a real desire to go to Cali anytime soon.

Anaheim Ducks

Atlanta Thrashers

Boston Bruins

Buffalo Sabres

Calgary Flames

Carolina Hurricanes

Chicago Blackhawks

Colorado Avalanche

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dallas Stars

Detroit Red Wings

Edmonton Oilers

Florida Panthers

LA Kings

Minnesota Wild

Montreal Canadiens

Nashville Predators

New Jersey Devils

New York Islanders

New York Rangers

Ottawa Senators

Philadelphia Flyers

Phoenix  Coyotes

Pittsburgh Penguins

San Jose Sharks

St.Louis Blues

Tampa Bay Lightning

Toronto Maple Leafs

Vancouver Canucks

Washington Capitals

And then there were 13!

As you people probably don’t know, I turn 18 on Dec. 15th. And you probably all do know that turning 18 is kinda a big deal. The presents are bigger, the cash sum gets larger and your day is pretty much better when you turn 18. And my aunt Tara (an avid hockey fan as well) is giving me, what I think could be the best birthday present I will ever get! She’s taking me to an away Wild game to any arena (excluding Canada)! How totally fricken sweet is that?! But now I have to decide where I wanna go! I have season tickets to the Wild so not the Excel Center(obviously) and I’ve already been to the United Center in Chicago so not there either. I gotta start limiting it down! I also kinda have no interest right now, but might wanna visit later Boston, Philly, Atlanta, Carolina and St. Louis.

Anaheim Ducks

Atlanta Thrashers

Boston Bruins

Buffalo Sabres

Calgary Flames

Carolina Hurricanes

Chicago Blackhawks

Colorado Avalanche

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dallas Stars

Detroit Red Wings

Edmonton Oilers

Florida Panthers

LA Kings

Minnesota Wild

Montreal Canadiens

Nashville Predators

New Jersey Devils

New York Islanders

New York Rangers

Ottawa Senators

Philadelphia Flyers

Phoenix  Coyotes

Pittsburgh Penguins

San Jose Sharks

St.Louis Blues

Tampa Bay Lightning

Toronto Maple Leafs

Vancouver Canucks

Washington Capitals

Alright anything to say about where I should go, just lemme know. I’m gonna need all the help I can get!

Alright  on another note. How bout them Wild? I watched the game at home last night. (Other guys had our tickets, but I get to go on Sat!) I don’t really know how to feel about the game. I was happy when the scored first. Then I was kinda like whatever when they tied it up. Then I was pissed when they took over the lead (actually I was really pissed), but I was giddy/happy when the Wild tied it up with like 31/2 mins left. I hate overtime cause if the other team scores then it’s like over and we lose. I also don’t like shoot-outs cause I never know how the Wild are gonna be. Luckily last night they were good! I was freaking out and jumping up and down with my hands over my face everytime one of the players started skating torward the goalies. I have never hated Woltek Wolski more than in a shoot-out, but he didn’t score so I didn’t mind him last night. Niklas Backstrom was B-E-A- utiful last night as well. He kinda scard me though on that second shot by ____( can’t remember his name). Oh well we won and that’s all that matters. Go Wild!