Brad Ratgen: Wild Proves They Can Play With The Best. Now It's Time to Beat the Best. A look at last night's loss to Chicago and what the Wild and their fans can take from the opening game loss in the 2nd round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Last year it felt like the first round was an exhibition that just killed time until the real playoffs started. Go scrimmage against the Wild for a week and a half, it's like a bye.

This year is not even close. I still feel, like most, that the Hawks are superior, but at least this time it seems like the Wild belong. Last year, the Wild tie game one? Yawn, they'll still pull it out. This year, the Wild tie game one? Things just got interesting. I still see the Hawks in 5 again, but I don't think it's even close to as easy of a victory as it was last year.

Your organization sure seems to be trending in the right direction. That's only right, given that the fans in the State of Hockey deserve a solid franchise.

Prepare for more Toews and Kane highlight reel goals in this series with your current goaltending situation .. Granted your D corps can and will play better I'm sure but they are gonna be worn out when this series nears its end ....

Prepare for more Toews and Kane highlight reel goals in this series with your current goaltending situation .. Granted your D corps can and will play better I'm sure but they are gonna be worn out when this series nears its end ....
- HurriKane

I actually hope Bryz gets yanked and Curry gets a shot in net for my Wild. That kid competes like a warrior.

I actually hope Bryz gets yanked and Curry gets a shot in net for my Wild. That kid competes like a warrior.
- Brad Ratgen

Yeh good call ... get him outta there ... From hawks fan perspective and compared
to our last series , this was a pretty easy going win considering it wasn't our best game . You guys fought back to tie it but the hawks hit overdrive and "poof" the game was over. Bryz cannot let that third Kane Goal in and he is really slow pipe to pipe ... those wide open nets are like ...

I agree Brad, this season should already be seen as an achievement for the Wild. Some smart moves and good drafting have been made over the past few years to get the team in this position. I don't see any way MIN gets past CHI in this one but continue the tweaking in the offseason and come back stronger next year.

Be careful. Cooke could get a chance to play

Well I don't know... Not sure skating with a team for 40 or so + minutes and then going in the tank with 10 minutes left really constitutes whether a team is worthy of skating with the big dogs.

Had we seen a full 60 minutes of that and still lost... I'd say maybe. But neither the Wild nor their fans can rest on the laurels of "gee, we played them good for a couple of periods didn't we boys?!". Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled to death when they showed the grit and determination to come back from a 2 goal deficit against arguably the best team in hockey, but we all saw what happened just moments after that!

Chicago answered the bell like the Championship squad they are and willed themselves to retake the lead and eventually the game. It was almost as if they took the puck and said, okay enough screwing around let's end this thing once and for all!!!! And that's exactly what it looked like.

So as much as I share in your enthusiasm Brad, I think it's a bit of an oversite to look at game one and label it as any sort of sense of accomplishment. Because that's as sure a recipe for heartbreak and betrayal as I've heard of if these guys come out and stink up the rest of the series.

Be careful. Cooke could get a chance to play
- Dudestar

Cooke will get a chance to play in game 4 and beyond should the series go any further.

Guuuuuys the Wild are a really really good Hockey team! Take us super cereal!

Guuuuuys the Wild are a really really good Hockey team! Take us super cereal!


- Meeqsb

FORE!

Well I don't know... Not sure skating with a team for 40 or so + minutes and then going in the tank with 10 minutes left really constitutes whether a team is worthy of skating with the big dogs.

Had we seen a full 60 minutes of that and still lost... I'd say maybe. But neither the Wild nor their fans can rest on the laurels of "gee, we played them good for a couple of periods didn't we boys?!". Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled to death when they showed the grit and determination to come back from a 2 goal deficit against arguably the best team in hockey, but we all saw what happened just moments after that!

Chicago answered the bell like the Championship squad they are and willed themselves to retake the lead and eventually the game. It was almost as if they took the puck and said, okay enough screwing around let's end this thing once and for all!!!! And that's exactly what it looked like.

So as much as I share in your enthusiasm Brad, I think it's a bit of an oversite to look at game one and label it as any sort of sense of accomplishment. Because that's as sure a recipe for heartbreak and betrayal as I've heard of if these guys come out and stink up the rest of the series.
- MnGump

The way I feel after Game 1 of this series is the way I felt after Game 1 of the last series. Remember2003!

FORE!
- Brad Ratgen

we are more of a fishing team

FORE!
- Brad Ratgen

We will keep your spot open next week .

You beat us, but our team is still better at both hockey and Golf

We will keep your spot open next week .

You beat us, but our team is still better at both hockey and Golf
- Meeqsb

They won fair and square. Maybe eventually the Avs will be better but Minny actually played well on the road. Advantage:them.

They won fair and square. Maybe eventually the Avs will be better but Minny actually played well on the road. Advantage:them.
- martok2309

I wouldnt say fair lol. Also I didnt say they didnt deserve the win, I said the Avs were the better team. Which is true. Minnesota is a very good average team. They wouldnt have beat the Avs if they were healthy and they wont win against the Hawks. They just dont have the star players, they have a lot of good players but not enough to take them over the top.

Minnesota doing well is great for the game of hockey, because they are the USA state of hockey. Amazing area, I love it there. I like them as a team (minus cooke) just havin some fun.

Great teams can flip the switch. Not that it always guarantees a victory, but you always know when they're sleepwalking vs when the bear got poked. Not sure the bear got poked yesterday. Might have just been Kaner.

Last night saw the Wild play at a level the Hawks struggled to match all game. They were saved by Kane and CC, obviously. Game 2 should see the Wild continue to elevate their play and perhaps the Hawks will show up, but either way, sooner or later, water finds its level and the great teams rise up.

Hawks are taking the Wild's best shot right now and games 1-2 might have been / be their only chance to get a victory.

I wouldnt say fair lol. Also I didnt say they didnt deserve the win, I said the Avs were the better team. Which is true. Minnesota is a very good average team. They wouldnt have beat the Avs if they were healthy and they wont win against the Hawks. They just dont have the star players, they have a lot of good players but not enough to take them over the top.

Minnesota doing well is great for the game of hockey, because they are the USA state of hockey. Amazing area, I love it there. I like them as a team (minus cooke) just havin some fun.
- Meeqsb

I could see both arguments. Wild played harder, deserved to win. If I was building a team which roster would I take? Hands down CO.

I wouldnt say fair lol. Also I didnt say they didnt deserve the win, I said the Avs were the better team. Which is true. Minnesota is a very good average team. They wouldnt have beat the Avs if they were healthy and they wont win against the Hawks. They just dont have the star players, they have a lot of good players but not enough to take them over the top.

Minnesota doing well is great for the game of hockey, because they are the USA state of hockey. Amazing area, I love it there. I like them as a team (minus cooke) just havin some fun.
- Meeqsb

The Avs were not the better TEAM,because they lost... Are the Avs better on paper? Who cares, the better TEAM won! Many more variables in sports than just a roster makeup. You have the makings of a real good team. Better than the Wild.... Not this year.

I wouldnt say fair lol. Also I didnt say they didnt deserve the win, I said the Avs were the better team. Which is true. Minnesota is a very good average team. They wouldnt have beat the Avs if they were healthy and they wont win against the Hawks. They just dont have the star players, they have a lot of good players but not enough to take them over the top.

Minnesota doing well is great for the game of hockey, because they are the USA state of hockey. Amazing area, I love it there. I like them as a team (minus cooke) just havin some fun.
- Meeqsb

Their best goalie has MS and was out. The Wild beat the Avs with Bryz in game 7, who is their number 3.

Still no Sota eh? Must have been epic.

Still no Sota eh? Must have been epic.
- Ogilthorpe2

We may be shorthanded again.

For me, the Wild beating the Avs in 7 in Colorado was my Stanley Cup victory. I dont expect the Wild to get pass Chi, but if they do, I'll enjoy the ride and for me, it will be like the Wild winning 2 Stanley Cups in 1 season! Cheers!

For me, the Wild beating the Avs in 7 in Colorado was my Stanley Cup victory. I dont expect the Wild to get pass Chi, but if they do, I'll enjoy the ride and for me, it will be like the Wild winning 2 Stanley Cups in 1 season! Cheers!
- Wild-Coyotes

I could see that. First time past the first round since 2003. Only the second time in franchise history. Beating Chicago would truly be almost equivilent to winning the cup. Besides if they can beat the Hawks, they can beat anyone in the league.

I don't think they'll beat Chi-town, but I have a sneaking suspicion they're not done yet... I think they could take both of these next two home games to force a game 6!