In Memoriam: 2006-2007 Minnesota Wild (3rd of 15)

[editorial note: This is a difficult series for me to detail, because i think i saw a total of a period and a half during the course of all five games]

The Minnesota Wild ended up something of a surprise playoff entrant, closing strongly enough to capture second place in the weak Northwest division. They drew a tough opponent in their opening series- the Pacific division winning Anaheim Ducks.

This proved to be a series decided largely on special teams- the Wild converting on an anemic 7.4% of their powerplay opportunities, while yielding a Ducks goal on a stunning 26.3% of the times they were short handed. Given statistics that out of balance, only spectacular goaltending could have kept the Wild in this series longer than it did.

(no subject)

OK, need to write two more in memoriam columns. Islanders and Predators. Putting this here to remind me, although the summary is: Islanders- backed into playoffs, no surprise they lost, only that it took five games instead of four. Predators- Hockey doesn't belong being played in Nashville, and although a greatly improved team, they're still not as strong in goal or as deep as the Sharks, who are becoming my pick to take the West if Detroit doesn't get their act together after the two games in Calgary where they failed to show up.

Had an interesting discussion with a colleague about creative people and implementers. I think there's at least a pair more categories into which people fit- visionaries and sloggers. I'll probably get the thoughts coalescing around this and then write an essay on it at ticky-box. Will probably link it here as well afterwards, but content-wise it fits better there.

Liberated from msanborn: Rather than a Meme, a Youyou

Comment and I'll:
1. Tell you why I friended you.
2. Associate you with something - a song, a color, a photo, etc.
3. Tell you something I like about you.
4. Tell you a memory I have of you.
5. Associate you with a character.
6. Ask something I've always wanted to know about you.
7. Tell you my favorite user picture of yours.
8. In return, you should post this in your LJ.