Hockey season has arrived

I've written quite a few entries since I started my blog back in June. Among a few other topics, most revolved around the Minnesota Twins. But now the weather is turning colder and that means it's hockey season. It's Wild season.

Before the Minnesota Wild played their first game in 2000, I really didn't know that much about the sport. The North Stars headed for Dallas when I was still pretty young, and my only other hockey experience had been at a handful of Minnesota Moose games.

I quickly became hooked on the game and fascinated with the Wild. Thanks to a season ticket package at my dad's company, I was fortunate enough to attend a few games each season. I loved watching the games on TV and at the Xcel Energy Center. I loved learning more and more about the game.

Slow out of the gate
The Wild have had a fair amount of success and three playoff appearances in their young history. But with turnover on the coaching bench and in the front office at the close of the past season, it seems the honeymoon is in fact over. Need evidence? They tied a franchise record with seven straight losses on the road to begin the season. That streak has yet to be broken.

New head coach Todd Richards was supposed to come in and implement a new system that focused more on offense. I think it's safe to say there have been a few kinks thrown into the mix. It's been a rough start to the season: a five-game road trip starting shortly into the season, the plus/minus numbers sit solely in the minus column for virtually most of the roster and injuries galore.

The injury bug
A slow start would be pretty predictable with a new coach, new general manager and new playing system. What wasn't predictable was the slew of injuries the already horribly-playing Wild faced. Slight groin injuries to a couple of players had an eery feeling to them, if you'll remember Marian Gaborik.

Then a couple of weeks ago, the Wild's leading hitster Cal Clutterbuck suffered what seemed to be a huge setback. He didn't get hurt while delivering a crushing hit like you might think. Instead, his skate got caught in some bad ice and he hurt his ankle. It was later said to be a high ankle sprain that would keep him out for six to eight weeks, minimum.

So imagine my surprise when earlier this week I read via Star Tribune beat writer Michael Russo's Twitter account that Clutterbuck was skating during practice. I'm still scratching my head as to how he was able to play just two weeks after being on crutches.

Rolling at home
The Carolina Hurricanes were in town for the Wild's third home game of the season. It was also the first game of the season for me and my family. At a game-time decision, Cal Clutterbuck made the start.

Like so many other games this season, the Wild must have forgotten that the games are 60 minutes in length, not 40 or 20. It took several minutes before the home team registered a shot on goal and they basically came out very flat. The first period would have been a total wash if not for the exciting fight involving Derek Boogaard-backup John Scott.

The rest of the game had its ups and downs. There were some goals, good plays, penalties, power plays, and the mental mistakes were still very present as well.

A 2-2 tie went into overtime. The Wild have yet to finish a game in regulation at the X in the young season. But the good news is they have prevailed with two overtime wins and one shootout win.

The game-winning goal came with 3:05 left in the extra session. It was the finishing touch on a crazy play with a clanged-post and an open net. The Wild player scored while sprawled on his belly. Who? None other than Cal Clutterbuck. It really doesn't get any better than that.