Let's overlook the fact that the Avalanche embarrassed the Wild tonight. That's a moot point by now. However, I had the game on at work tonight, and as I would glance at it every so often, I looked up at just the right time to see this goal.
First things first here: Tom Gilbert, you have to get that puck out of the zone. I realize that shit happens and you can't do much about it, so that just really sucks for him. I feel his pain, having played defense when I was (a lot) younger, but still. That can't happen.
Anyways. Let's break this down and pick on Steve Kampfer, shall we? With my amazing Microsoft Paint skills and lack of a telestrater, I've illustrated it a little:
One of the first things they teach you as a defenseman when dealing with a two-on-one, is take the pass away. As the above photo shows, Kampfer is cheating towards Stastny, when ideally, he should let the backchecking forward (assuming it's Nick Johnson here) take the puck carrier. Kampfer should then let Hackett (Mr. Goalieboy) deal with the shooter (Stastny) and hope Johnson can catch up to him in time. While all this is going on, Kampfer should move towards Mark Olver, and attempt to negate any potential pass to him, thus negating any potential goal. However, things don't always work as planned. Olver gets the puck and essentially has an easy tap-in for a goal.
Who do you think Matt Hackett is more pissed at after all this? Gilbert for not clearing the puck initially? Kampfer for failing his defensive assignment? Either way, Gilbert and Kampfer (why are they a pairing again??) should probably attempt to make amends with Hackett, especially since he got trampled by Olver after all this. The last thing the Wild need is another injured goaltender.
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