A New Era In Minnesota (NHL 12 Be a GM)

[BTW8892]

A NEW ERA IN MINNESOTA

MINNESOTA -- The Minnesota Wild are back on the map, after one the biggest moments in franchise history. The Wild have come to terms with highly sought after free agents, Zach Parise, and Ryan Suter. This not only makes the Wild a playoff team, but a serious threat in the near future.

Add that to the likes of promising young prospects, Mikael Granlund, Jason Zucker, and Jonas Brodin, and this team has some serious potential. General Manager, Bryan Winters has been brought in to run this up and coming team. After tossing out some gutsy contracts during free agency, Winters shows that he is willing to do what it takes to win, and by landing Parise and Suter, this definitely puts the team on the right track.

DEPTH CHART

Minnesota Wild Depth Chart - 2012
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
LW	"A" Zach Parise	Pierre-Marc Bouchard	Cal Clutterbuck	Jake Dowell
C	"C" Mikko Koivu	Mikael Granlund	Kyle Brodziak	Zenon Konopka
RW	"A" Danny Heatley	Devin Setoguchi	Torrey Mitchell	Matt Cullen
D #1	Ryan Suter	Marco Scandella	Justin Falk
D #2	Jared Spurgeon	Tom Gilbert	Jonas Brodin
G	Nicklas Backstrom	Josh Harding

OCTOBER SCHEDULE

Minnesota Wild 2011 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Oct 8	vs Columbus Blue Jackets	Lost, 3-0
Oct 10	at New York Islanders	Won, 4-1
Oct 11	at Ottawa Senators	Lost, 4-2
Oct 13	vs Edmonton Oilers	Lost, 5-1
Oct 15	at Detroit Red Wings	Won, 4-2
Oct 18	vs Pittsburgh Penguins	Lost, 2-0
Oct 20	at Edmonton Oilers
Oct 22	at Vancouver Canucks
Oct 27	vs Anaheim Ducks
Oct 29	vs Detroit Red Wings

JERSEYS

[BTW8892]

3 Vs. 0

WILD SHUTOUT IN HOME OPENER

MINNESOTA -- The Minnesota Wild didn't get the start the would have liked, after their spectacular off-season. The Columbus Blue Jackets came into the Xcel Energy Center, and quieted a once, amped up crowd. The first two periods would remain scoreless as both goaltenders were standing on their heads.

Finally, just thirty seconds into the third period, James Wisniewski would open the scoring. Wisniewski entered the zone right off the opening faceoff, and walked right between the defensemen. Backstom had a hard time locating the puck, and it slipped just under his arm and into the net. From there, the flood gates opened up for Columbus as they would score twice more in the third period, coming from Rick Nash, and Kristien Huselius.

Steve Mason would eventually come away with the shutout as he shut down all 36 shots that came his way. This is definitely a disappointing loss for the Wild, but they will look to rebound against the New York Islanders on Monday night.

BOXSCORE:

Columbus Blue Jackets at Minnesota Wild
Jan 1, 1 2 3 F CBJ () 0 0 3 3 MIN () 0 0 0 0 Three Stars Steve Mason 0.00 GAA | 1.000 SV% | 36 Saves James Wisniewski 1 G | 1 A | 2 PTS Rick Nash 1 G | 1 A | 2PTS	Team Stats Comparison CBJ MIN Shots on Goal 23 36 Hits 20 17 Faceoffs Won-Lost 17 9 Penalty Minutes 2:00 6:00 Power Plays Converted 0 0 Power Play Opportunities 3 1 Time on Attack 6:40 7:19
Scoring Summary THIRD PERIOD CBJ 0:31 - J. Wisniewski (1) - Wrist Shot - Asst: R. Nash CBJ 7:01 - R. Nash (1) - Wrist Shot - Asst: R. Umberger CBJ 19:37 - J. Huselius (1) - Wrist Shot - Asst: J. Wisniewski, J. Johnson
Columbus Blue Jackets - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA S. Mason 36 36 100% 0.00
Minnesota Wild - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA N. Backstrom 23 20 87% 3.00

[BTW8892]

4 Vs. 1

WILD REBOUND WITH 4-1 WIN ON LONG ISLAND

LONG ISLAND -- After a disappointing start to the 2011-2012 season, the Minnesota Wild found a way to rebound against the New York Islanders. After being shut out the first game, the Wild were able to put up four goals in this contest, and came away with the two points.

The game started with a power play for the Wild, after Eric Boulton took a run at Ryan Suter in his own end. Off the ensuing faceoff, Pierre-Marc Bouchard would feed Justin Falk up at the point, where he blast one past Rick DiPietro. The Wild were able to hang onto their one goal lead, and carry it over into the second period.

Most of the second period would be scoreless until Pierre-Marc Bouchard converted on a rebound, at the top of DiPietro's crease. Devin Setoguchi made a great move to setup the goal as he was able to walk into the slot untouched, which lead to the rebound off of DiPietro's pad. The Islanders were finally able to get on the board with a goal coming from Michael Grabner. Jonas Brodin made a great play to prevent Moulson from driving to the net, but the puck wound up bouncing in front of the crease, and landed right on the stick of Grabner, who deposited it.

Just two minutes after, the Wild were able to get back their two goal lead, with a beautiful coming from Devin Setoguchi. Mikael Granlund would set up the goal after faking a slap shot in the slot, and then sliding the puck back door, where Setoguchi was camped out. Granlund would later pick his first goal of the season on an empty netter, which sealed the deal for the Minnesota Wild.

The Wild will be departing from Long Island tonight, as they head into Ottawa for a matchup with the Senators tomorrow evening.

BOXSCORE:

Minnesota Wild at New York Islanders
Oct 10, 2011 1 2 3 F MIN (1-1-0) 1 1 2 4 NYI (1-1-0) 0 0 1 1 Three Stars Pierre-Marc Bouchard 1 Goal | 2 Assists | 3 Points Niklas Backstrom 1.00 GAA | .968 SV% | 31 SA Devin Setoguchi 1 Goal | 1 Assist | 2 Points	Team Stats Comparison MIN NYI Shots on Goal 30 32 Hits 33 15 Faceoffs Won-Lost 15 15 Penalty Minutes 11:00 13:00 Power Plays Converted 1 0 Power Play Opportunities 4 3 Time on Attack 5:37 5:48
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD MIN 8:44 - PPG - J. Falk (1) Slap Shot - Asst: P. Bouchard & M. Cullen SECOND PERIOD MIN 19:10 - P. Bouchard (1) Wrist Shot - Asst: D. Setoguchi & M. Cullen THIRD PERIOD NYI 13:08 - M. Grabner (1) Wrist Shot - Asst: M. Moulson & J. Tavares MIN 15:23 - D. Setoguchi (1) Wrist Shot - Asst: M. Granlund & P. Bouchard MIN 19:21 - ENG - M. Granlund (1) Wrist Shot - Asst: M. Scandella
Minnesota Wild - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA N. Backstrom 31 30 97% 1.00
New York Islanders - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA R. DiPietro 30 27 90% 3.01

[seb170455]

Interesting start of your franchise. I will follow this one.

[BTW8892]

2 Vs. 4

I wound up losing the game stats for this game, as my game froze after I came out of the sim. The game still counted though.

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5 Vs. 1

WILD DROP TWO STRAIGHT WITH 5-1 LOSS TO OILERS

MINNESOTA -- Things aren't looking up for the Minnesota Wild, as they have now dropped two straight games. Their recent loss comes courtesy of the Edmonton Oilers who ran a clinic in Minnesota tonight.

Things didn't start off as planned for the Wild, as they gave up an early penalty shot to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, just 4:53 into the game. Nugent-Hopkins skated in, and made it look easy, as he flipped it over the glove of Josh Harding, for the games first goal. Just over a minute later, the Oilers were able to cash in with yet another goal, coming from Theo Peckham.

About halfway through the period, the Wild were able to weather the storm, and got on the board. Pierre-March Bouchard put in his second goal of the season on a great individual effort.

The Oilers were able to tack on three more goals throughout the final two periods, and had Wild fans going home empty handed. The Wild haven't been able to get things going offensively, and have been lackluster on defense to start the season. Things better turnaround or GM Winters may be forced to make some early changes.

BOXSCORE:

Edmonton Oilers at Minnesota Wild
Oct 13, 2011 1 2 3 F EDM (1-1-0) 2 1 2 5 MIN (1-3-0) 1 0 0 1 Three Stars Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 2 Goals | 1 Assists | 3 Points Nikolai Khabibulin 1.00 GAA | .960 GAA S% | 25 SA Theo Peckham 1 Goals | 0 Assists | 1 Point	Team Stats Comparison EDM MIN Shots on Goal 28 25 Hits 19 23 Faceoffs Won-Lost 16 16 Penalty Minutes 4:00 4:00 Power Plays Converted 2 0 Power Play Opportunities 2 2 Time on Attack 4:05 8:18
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD EDM 4:53 - Penalty Shot - R. Nugent-Hopkins (1) Wrist Shot - Unassisted EDM 6:10 - PPG - T. Peckham (1) Slap Shot - Asst: S. Horcoff & J. Eberle MIN 10:04 - P. Bouchard (2) Wrist Shot - Asst: D. Heatley & M. Granlund SECOND PERIOD EDM 14:22 - R.Smyth (1) Wrist Shot - Asst: R. Nugent-Hopkins & L. Smid THIRD PERIOD EDM 1:42 - T. Hall (1) Wrist Shot - Asst: A. Hemsky & S. Horcoff EDM 10:42 - PPG - R. Nugent-Hopkins (2) Wrist Shot - Asst: R. Jones & C. Barker
Edmonton Oilers - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA N. Kabibulin 25 24 96% 1.00
Minnesota Wild - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA J. Harding 28 23 82% 5.00

[BTW8892]

2 Vs. 4

WILD GET FIRST HOME WIN OF THE SEASON AGAINST RED WINGS

MINNESOTA -- The Minnesota Wild got back to the winning ways as they came away with their first home victory of the season. Mikko Koivu got things started early as he would walk in on a breakaway just 2:39 into the game.

Koivu would made a nifty forehand to backhand move, and flip it over the sprawling Jimmy Howard. Wild fans loved every second of it, and the building was buzzing early. Nearing the end of the first period, Zach Parise would pot his second goal of the season, on a rebound in the slot.

The second period would remain scoreless, and the Wild would carry over a commanding two-goal lead into the third period. That didn't last very long as Johan Franzen was able to pounce on a loose puck in front, and cut the deficit in half.

Devin Setoguchi would then notch a pair of goals later on in the period, which all but sealed the game for the Wild. Todd Bertuzzi would get the last goal of the game on yet another rebound goal in front of Niklas Backstrom. The Wild would go on to win the game, and improve their record to 2-3-0 on the season. The Wild look to continue the trend as they welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday evening.

BOXSCORE:

Detroit Red Wings at Minnesota Wild
Oct 15, 2011 1 2 3 F DET (1-3-0) 0 0 2 2 MIN (2-3-0) 2 0 2 4 Three Stars Devin Setoguchi 2 Goals | 0 Assists | 2 Points Niklas Backstrom 2.00 GAA | .935 SV% | 31 SA Mikko Koivu 1 Goal | 1 Assist | 2 Points	Team Stats Comparison DET MIN Shots on Goal 31 21 Hits 16 20 Faceoffs Won-Lost 15 8 Penalty Minutes 0:00 4:00 Power Plays Converted 0 0 Power Play Opportunities 2 0 Time on Attack 7:29 6:00
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD MIN 2:39 - M. Koivu (1) Wrist Shot - Asst: D. Heatley & Z. Parise MIN 18:30 - Z. Parise (2) Wrist Shot - Asst: M. Koivu & D. Heatley THIRD PERIOD DET 1:59 - J. Franzen (2) Wrist Shot - Unassisted MIN 5:55 - D. Setoguchi (3) Tip-in - M. Granlund & P. Bouchard MIN 15:44 - D. Setoguchi (4) Backhand - Asst: K. Brodziak & J. Brodin DET 19:32 - T. Bertuzzi (1) Wrist Shot - Asst: P. Datsyuk & J. Franzen
Detroit Red Wings - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA J. Howard 21 17 81% 4.00
Minnesota Wild - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA N. Backstrom 31 29 94% 2.00

[Weezer21]

Agh, gotta stay consistent. Like where this is headed, the Wild are going to be a great team to play with now for the remainder of '12 and into NHL 13

[BTW8892]

2 Vs. 0

PENGUINS SCORE LATE GOAL TO TAKE OVER CONTROL

MINNESOTA -- The Minnesota Wild and Pittsburgh Penguins went toe-to-toe tonight at the Xcel Engery center, which had fans on the edge of their seats.

We had two grueling periods which would remain scoreless heading into the third period. Both Marc-Andre Fleury and Niklas Backstrom were standing on their heads, and kept this game deadlocked at 0-0. The score was finally broken, late in the third period, as Pascal Dupuis was able to find space down the wing, and snap one home for the Pens.

The Wild played desperate hockey in the final 1:30, but were unable to get anything with the extra-attacker on the ice. Ryan Craig would seal the game with an empty-net goal to give the Penguins the much deserved two points. The Wild were absolutely dominated in the face-off circle tonight, and were only able to come away with a single face-off win. The Wild are on a downhill slide at the moment, but they look to turn things around with their upcoming trip to Western Canada.

BOXSCORE:

Pittsburgh Penguins at Minnesota Wild
Oct 18, 2011 1 2 3 F PIT (4-3-1) 0 0 2 2 MIN (2-4-0) 0 0 0 0 Three Stars Niklas Backstrom 1.00 GAA | .962 SV% | 26 SA Marc-Andre Fleury 0.00 GAA | 1.000 SV% | 19 SA Pascal Dupuis 1 Goal | 0 Assists | 1 Point	Team Stats Comparison PIT MIN Shots on Goal 27 19 Hits 8 5 Faceoffs Won-Lost 23 1 Penalty Minutes 2:00 4:00 Power Plays Converted 0 0 Power Play Opportunities 2 1 Time on Attack 7:17 5:07
Scoring Summary THIRD PERIOD PIT 18:40 - P. Dupuis (2) Wrist Shot - Asst: P. Martin & B. Sutter PIT 19:51 - ENG - R. Craig (2) Wrist Shot - Asst: C. O'Reilly & D. Engelland
Pittsburgh Penguins - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA M. Fleury 19 19 100% 0.00
Minnesota Wild - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA N. Backstrom 26 25 96% 1.00