Contrasting confidence levels

Wild always believed, while Canucks doubted themsevles

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- The State of Hockey lives. Meanwhile, the province of unrealized possibilities ponders its plight.

The saga of the Wild and Canucks was one in which the outcome was inextricably linked to the diametrically opposed mindsets of each. How else can you explain the dramatic turn of events in Game 7 and the series?

The Canucks came out and played beautifully for two periods, scoring the all-important first goal and following it up with a beneficial second tally a little more than a minute later. End of miracles for the Wild, right?

Well, not so fast. Minnesota countered with a fluky goal, as Pascal Dupuis somehow batted in a fluttering puck that bounced over the top of the net to make the deficit 2-1 heading into the third period. That fortuitous goal gave the Wild just enough reason to believe and planted just enough doubt in the psyche of the Canucks.

At this point, anything was possible and everyone associated with the on-ice struggle knew it -- none moreso than Canucks netminder Dan Cloutier, he of the fragile recent frame of reference borne of fighting the puck.

Through two periods, the Canucks kept the Wild away from their anxious netminder, skating and disrupting the outlet passing of their swift opponent with controlled and concerted body checking. The Wild simply couldn't get pucks to the net.

But instead of continuing to foil Minnesota with physical play, Vancouver began the third content to protect its slim lead. That decision to play passively robbed the Canucks of their biggest advantage -- aggressive use of their size on the forecheck. Slowly, as the period unfolded, the Wild began to complete passes that for two periods went awry because of the Canucks' up-ice pressure.

Predictably, the Wild's attack gained momentum and, sure enough, Cloutier proved to be a man plagued by the uncertainty of his game. Cloutier overcommitted on a broken play, allowing Wes Walz to tie the score by depositing the puck into a needlessly unprotected goal.

Then Cloutier was slow to get down into position and missed a relatively harmless slapshot by Darby Hendrickson. As if that eventual game-winner wasn't enough, Cloutier froze on a short-side bid, yielding a juicy rebound that led to the third goal of the period, this one to Dupuis on the power play to seal the game.

It was mind-boggling to witness, as the Wild advanced to the Western Conference finals because they never stopped believing. The Canucks fueled that belief because they never truly stopped doubting.

Three Stars

First Star: Walz's speed in the third period led the way in backing up the Canucks' defense and showed his teammates what was still possible.

Second Star: Dupuis was reinserted into the lineup by head coach Jacques Lemaire at precisely the right moment, and with two goals, had the desired effect.

Third Star: While his counterpart Cloutier continued to struggle, Dwayne Roloson was again the picture of poise and positive thinking between the pipes.

Darren Eliot, a former NHL goaltender, is a hockey analyst for SI.com. Eliot will provide Stanley Cup Playoffs commentary throughout the postseason, and he is also broadcasting the Western Conference finals and Stanley Cup finals for NHL Radio.

 

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