Exciting players

Really, I promise that we’ll get back to my review of the divisions of baseball, but Ryan and Steve are doing such a stellar job of reviewing the best sport ever, that I’m going to review the second best sport ever: hockey. (Lacrosse, obviously, is third.)

I attended the Wild versus the Avalanche hockey game Monday night, and Wild forward Derek “I like double vowels” Boogaard played in his first game since January 22, 2008. Now, I like Derek. I’ve heard that while on the ice he’s tough and rough, off the ice he’s a big teddy bear. One of his teammates described him as such, and when a hockey player calls you a teddy bear, I think that’s the final word on you. I digress.

Boogaard is not the best hockey player. He’s not a great defensive forward. He’s not a great offensive forward. He plays well, but so far shows himself as a fourth-line guy: limit his playing time, and put him on the ice at appropriate times. The team likes him, of course, but he’s not the guy they look to for the important plays. I think he gives a little inspiration in his willingness to be tough, to fight, and rile up the other team. I considered on Monday, however, that he might indirectly inspire the team in ways he--and they--might not realize.

Hockey players are only human. I’m pretty sure it’s more fun for them to play in front of good fans--fans that are into the game, that are watching, and paying attention. Fans love Derek Boogaard. When he took the ice, there was a cheer of approval from the crowd. When later in the game, it showed Boogaard and an opposing player, on their respective benches, leaning over around the barrier to verbally jar with each other, the crowd was there to cheer Boogaard on. The rest of the Wild would’ve heard the crowd get into the game in this way, and it may have inspired them to play just a little bit harder. And things like that are invaluable.

I’m not saying Boogaard was solely responsible for the team’s win on Monday. There were plenty of moments when the fans showed their approval on great saves by Niklas Backstrom. There were many roars of excitement when Marian Gaborik (often with Pavol Demitra) would take off down the ice. There was gasps of amazement when Pierre-Marc Bouchard would make some of his fancy moves on his feet.

What I am saying is that sometimes there needs to be guys on the team that aren’t necessarily the best players, but can fill a role (Boogaard on the ice adds a toughness to the shift) and are beloved by the fans. Todd Fedoruk and Chris Simon are both pretty tough, competitive guys, too, but the fans aren’t quite as much into them. Aaron Voros loves him a good fight, and the fans love him, but he’s simply not as adept at the fighting (and thus he’s not as threatening to the other team).

In other hockey news, Rob Davison will have a story to tell about his first goal as a member of the New York Islanders--he didn’t really shoot it at the goal, per se, and the goalie should’ve had an easy save. However, a misplay by a goalie--playing the puck like a shortstop rather than a catcher--and a weird bounce of the puck shocked nearly everyone. I’m a little disappointed that the Islanders lost the game, however, that first period goal stood as the sole goal in the game until some time in the third period. (I was watching the game for the privilege of seeing former Gopher Kyle Okposo play his first NHL game. He played quite well, and even got penalty kill time!)

Here’s the clip of the Davison’s goal:


The Timberwolves are 17-50, and are no longer last in the division--in fact, the Seattle Sonics, also in the Northwest division, have a 16-52 record and in the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies are 16-51! The competitions between the Timberwolves and the 12-55 Miami Heat. In lacrosse, the Swarm won last weekend, because I was there, so they have a 7-3 record. So far, they’re undefeated at home, for whatever that’s worth. Scott Baker was originally scheduled to make a minor league start today, but having the flu earlier this week set him back even further, so maybe, so his bullpen session was pushed back to yesterday. This weekend he might start a minor-league game. The official period of mourning will continue until further notice, but may be cancelled soon.