Wild edge the Avs for the first time in the Pepsi Center this year and sit alone atop the Northwest Division standings at the all-star break. Now that's impressive seeing the kind of underachieving year, at least in my estimation, they had been having so far. Not that they're not doing well, I just expected more from them up to this point.

Now the Wild, with the exception of their lone all-star, Marion Gaborik, get a well deserved rest. I'm kind of bummed that Rolston isn't going just to be in the hardest shot competition. I'm curious as to how he stacks up against the rest of the league. I was disappointed last year when the NHL put him in some other skills competition other than hardest shot.

The Wild played a very solid game against the Avs. Unlikely skill guy, Todd Fedoruk, gets the Wild going with the first goal on a nice pass from Demitra. Rolston unloaded another cannon on Theodore from about 4 feet away to put the Wild up 2-0. Colorado bounced back with 2 with a little help from Backstrom knocking one in on himself. Demitra nets the game winner towards the end of the 2nd period and the Wild win again after taking the lead after the 2nd.

The Wild now sit alone atop the division for more than a day or two thanks to the all-star break.

On this road trip, the Wild won in 2 buildings they had yet to win in this year (Vancouver and Colorado). They still haven't won in Calgary.

Demitra was very impressive tonight and was the player of the game.

How awful is it to see Brunette in an Avs jersey, especially after he was the guy that clinched the playoff series against Colorado by scoring in OT on Roy! Can anyone explain to me why we let him go or what good it did the Wild b/c they apparently like him in Colorado as their assistant captain and all. It just makes me sick still!

Lastly, it was tough choosing which hockey game to watch tonight: Wild v. Avs, Houston Aeros game against the Marliee's, or the local high school game on local cable access (Centennial v. Blaine). In the end, the Wild won out, but I would have enjoyed watching the other two games also. I was able to catch the first periods of the other games prior to the Wild game. Apparently Nolan Schaeffer is leading the AHL stats for goalies and gets me wondering whether the Wild will/can move Backstrom at some point down the road. Anyone know what Nik's contract said about not being able to trade until a certain time?

In any event, way to go Wild! Now it's time to look forward to the all-star skills competition. Too bad Sid the Kid won't be participating.

In the coming days, look to see whether the Wild have really impressed me and a season recap up to now and a look ahead at what's coming for the Wild.

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