Brad Ratgen: Enough About the Refs. We Ain't Dead Yet. Remember 2003! Just some thoughts about last night's game against Colorado and OT loss to the Avs.....again.

Good write up, and yes I agree. Everyone fan bases goes straight to social media after games to complain about the officiating. And media members don't make it any better by chiming up blogs and tweet about it to the ninth degree. Just takes away from the good hockey this series has had.

Its gut check time again, Avs haven't won anything yet and Wild haven't lost anything either. You have dominated us in Minny, if the Avs plan on going anywhere this spring they need to win on the road. Game 6 is going to be a dandy

Execute on the ice and you have nothing to worry about.
- Brad Ratgen

This is only way to make sure questionable officiating doesn't play a role in deciding the game. Just go out there and will yourself to overcome all obstacles. The officiating is part of the game and it is an impossible job to do perfectly. Embrace the challenge and welcome the opportunity.

Elliotte Friedman's 30 Thoughts
Some interesting nuggets in here about Vanek's style of play and Cooke's suspension length.

Elliotte Friedman's 30 Thoughts
Some interesting nuggets in here about Vanek's style of play and Cooke's suspension length.
- Chinaski

I had the same thoughts regarding the length of suspension. Kneeing hasn't been a lengthy one in the past, no precedent to suspend him much longer, could have been appealed by the Union if it was 10+ games.

Wonder if thats why JT and Vanek weren't as dynamic as we thought they were going to be, why would JT play to Vaneks game.

(frank) the refs, (frank)s the Avs, (frank) their terrible anthem singer and (frank) Mike Yeo for having his players turn into a bunch of non-aggressive pansies when they get the lead.

(frank) the refs, (frank)s the Avs, (frank) their terrible anthem singer and (frank) Mike Yeo for having his players turn into a bunch of non-aggressive pansies when they get the lead.
- SotaPopinski

Times a million.....how many times do they have to blow it for him to understand that.

Times a million.....how many times do they have to blow it for him to understand that.
- bmgarvert

Apparently they have yet to meet his quota. Those last 7-8 minutes were infuriating to watch. Wild fans everywhere knew exactly what was coming and sure enough, here we are, facing elimination.

Apparently they have yet to meet his quota. Those last 7-8 minutes were infuriating to watch. Wild fans everywhere knew exactly what was coming and sure enough, here we are, facing elimination.
- SotaPopinski

Been there, done that twice and prevailed and both Game 6's were kick ass!

Been there, done that twice and prevailed and both Game 6's were kick ass!
- Brad Ratgen

And how long ago did this take place? Don't get me wrong, I love your attitude...especially when compared to our other blogger, who is more focused on the officiating rather than missed chances and the sit on our heels approach when closing out a game. I honestly do not believe this team has the mental fortitude to fight back from last nights collapse.

And how long ago did this take place? Don't get me wrong, I love your attitude...especially when compared to our other blogger, who is more focused on the officiating rather than missed chances and the sit on our heels approach when closing out a game. I honestly do not believe this team has the mental fortitude to fight back from last nights collapse.
- SotaPopinski

11 years ago, to answer your question. Against a better Avs line up. With a worse Wild line up. And they won 3 in a row, down 3 games to 1. 2 games in a row with a better Wild team against a worse Avs team? Piece of cake!

I think this is gonna come down to the 7th game in our barn. I just don't see the avs beating minny (facing an elimination game) at Xcel.

This makes me wonder if it's smarter to keep resting Duchene until game 7. No sense in making him come back too soon to a hostile environment at the Xcel. I'd much rather see Duchene at 100% at the pepsi center for all the marbles.

Gotta love playoff hockey.

GOAVSGO

I think this is gonna come down to the 7th game in our barn. I just don't see the avs beating minny (facing an elimination game) at Xcel.

This makes me wonder if it's smarter to keep resting Duchene until game 7. No sense in making him come back too soon to a hostile environment at the Xcel. I'd much rather see Duchene at 100% at the pepsi center for all the marbles.

Gotta love playoff hockey.

GOAVSGO
- goavsgo10

Xcel isn't hostile to Duchene at all.

11 years ago, to answer your question. Against a better Avs line up. With a worse Wild line up. And they won 3 in a row, down 3 games to 1. 2 games in a row with a better Wild team against a worse Avs team? Piece of cake!
- Brad Ratgen

I love your Positivity!

Thank You for avoiding the ugliness and negativity in all of this.

I wasnt going to be able to not address it.

I love your Positivity!

Thank You for avoiding the ugliness and negativity in all of this.

I wasnt going to be able to not address it.
- Tony Dean

Not sure I even recognize myself being this positive. But, deep down, I have this positive energy and peace that history will repeat itself and we will move on to the next round. Not sure where it's coming from, but I'm enjoying the ride!

Not sure I even recognize myself being this positive. But, deep down, I have this positive energy and peace that history will repeat itself and we will move on to the next round. Not sure where it's coming from, but I'm enjoying the ride!
- Brad Ratgen

Hopefully it balances out my toxic energy I am livid still. Sick to my stomach that could happen and be the reason the MNWild season is on the brink.

Hopefully the Boys are fueled by this injustice go out there in back to back break their heart fashion!

The Avalanche just found out that Kuemper is very beatable and if Duchene shows up 100% heatlhy to play game 6, it will be tough to win the last 2 games. The 2003 Avalanche werent as hungry as this new pack of young wolves under coach Roy.

Anyone complaining about the refs needs to rewatch the Isles Pens series from last year. Nothing is worse than that series.

The Avalanche just found out that Kuemper is very beatable and if Duchene shows up 100% heatlhy to play game 6, it will be tough to win the last 2 games. The 2003 Avalanche werent as hungry as this new pack of young wolves under coach Roy.
- OnTheFly

Duchene has been out for a month, no? First game back, starting off on 4th line is going to be the difference maker, eh?

Duchene has been out for a month, no? First game back, starting off on 4th line is going to be the difference maker, eh?
- SotaPopinski

He was taking regular line rushes with McGinn and O'Reilly. Looked really good during practice and morning skates. Not sure how they will play him if he draws in for Game 6

He was taking regular line rushes with McGinn and O'Reilly. Looked really good during practice and morning skates. Not sure how they will play him if he draws in for Game 6
- DDM-Coga

It'll be up to the doctors and trainers to recommend the time he plays.

He was taking regular line rushes with McGinn and O'Reilly. Looked really good during practice and morning skates. Not sure how they will play him if he draws in for Game 6
- DDM-Coga

Could be smokescreen, but Roy said if Duchene plays tomorrow he starts on 4th line. I'm sure if he shakes off the rust quickly he'll move up in no time, but I wouldn't count on him being the savior to your offensive woes. At least not initially

Could be smokescreen, but Roy said if Duchene plays tomorrow he starts on 4th line. I'm sure if he shakes off the rust quickly he'll move up in no time, but I wouldn't count on him being the savior to your offensive woes. At least not initially
- SotaPopinski

I agree with this, he would be back to his regular line by the second period. O'Reilly looks lost without Duchene, and he would give a real boost to the PP. But its still a 1 line match up game even with Duchene back, Shut down MacKinnon again and we got game 7

I agree with this, he would be back to his regular line by the second period. O'Reilly looks lost without Duchene, and he would give a real boost to the PP. But its still a 1 line match up game even with Duchene back, Shut down MacKinnon again and we got game 7
- DDM-Coga

Having said this, I'm sure Duchene finishes with a hatty tomorrow night

Having said this, I'm sure Duchene finishes with a hatty tomorrow night
- SotaPopinski

since I have him in my playoff pool I hope so as well