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jg2977 · 07-01-2025, 07:20 AM

MINNESOTA MAKES IT LOOK EASY: WILD DOMINATE CANUCKS 13-2 IN WESTERN WILD CARD
By Gary Thorne

ST. PAUL — If you're looking for tension, drama, or down-to-the-wire playoff hockey... well, folks, you didn’t get it tonight. What you got was an offensive avalanche at Xcel Energy Center as the Minnesota Wild throttled the Vancouver Canucks, 13-2, to punch their ticket to the Western Conference Semifinals.

From the very first pitch, Minnesota was locked in. They weren’t just hitting — they were pounding. Thirteen runs on sixteen hits. It wasn’t just a victory; it was a statement. And if you’re the Chicago Blackhawks, the next team in line, you just watched that and thought: Uh-oh.

The hero of the night — and the undisputed First Star — was Jeff Grubin. The man looked like a doubles machine. Three of them, in fact. Three doubles in five at-bats, an RBI, and three runs scored. Every time he came to the plate, Vancouver’s pitchers winced. It was a clinic.

On the mound, Dave Schultz did exactly what aces are supposed to do: take the pressure off and give your team a chance to blow it open. Six solid innings. One run, six hits, six strikeouts, and not a hint of panic. The guy just shoved. Cool, composed, and utterly in control. He earned the Second Star, and the MVP of the Wild Card round for good reason.

And don’t forget Roberto Ortiz, your Third Star. A three-hit night, including a double, and three runs scored. Every time the Wild needed a spark, Ortiz was there, lighting the fuse.

It wasn’t just the numbers — though those are eye-popping — it was the energy, the swagger, and yes, that playoff edge. Vancouver struck first with a run in the top of the first, and then — that was it. Minnesota answered with seven unanswered over the next three innings, then dropped a five-spot in the sixth to bury any remaining hope.

The Wild will now advance to face the well-rested Chicago Blackhawks, who earned a bye and have been watching — and waiting. But after what we just saw tonight in St. Paul, waiting might not be in their favor.

So buckle up, hockey fans. The Wild have arrived. And they didn’t just knock — they kicked the door down.

From St. Paul, I’m Gary Thorne.

07-01-2025, 07:20 AM	#2487
jg2977 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 24,597	MINNESOTA MAKES IT LOOK EASY: WILD DOMINATE CANUCKS 13-2 IN WESTERN WILD CARD By Gary Thorne ST. PAUL — If you're looking for tension, drama, or down-to-the-wire playoff hockey... well, folks, you didn’t get it tonight. What you got was an offensive avalanche at Xcel Energy Center as the Minnesota Wild throttled the Vancouver Canucks, 13-2, to punch their ticket to the Western Conference Semifinals. From the very first pitch, Minnesota was locked in. They weren’t just hitting — they were pounding. Thirteen runs on sixteen hits. It wasn’t just a victory; it was a statement. And if you’re the Chicago Blackhawks, the next team in line, you just watched that and thought: Uh-oh. The hero of the night — and the undisputed First Star — was Jeff Grubin. The man looked like a doubles machine. Three of them, in fact. Three doubles in five at-bats, an RBI, and three runs scored. Every time he came to the plate, Vancouver’s pitchers winced. It was a clinic. On the mound, Dave Schultz did exactly what aces are supposed to do: take the pressure off and give your team a chance to blow it open. Six solid innings. One run, six hits, six strikeouts, and not a hint of panic. The guy just shoved. Cool, composed, and utterly in control. He earned the Second Star, and the MVP of the Wild Card round for good reason. And don’t forget Roberto Ortiz, your Third Star. A three-hit night, including a double, and three runs scored. Every time the Wild needed a spark, Ortiz was there, lighting the fuse. It wasn’t just the numbers — though those are eye-popping — it was the energy, the swagger, and yes, that playoff edge. Vancouver struck first with a run in the top of the first, and then — that was it. Minnesota answered with seven unanswered over the next three innings, then dropped a five-spot in the sixth to bury any remaining hope. The Wild will now advance to face the well-rested Chicago Blackhawks, who earned a bye and have been watching — and waiting. But after what we just saw tonight in St. Paul, waiting might not be in their favor. So buckle up, hockey fans. The Wild have arrived. And they didn’t just knock — they kicked the door down. From St. Paul, I’m Gary Thorne.