Grand Forks Recap

Wild Puck Banter was on the road this past weekend as we visited the home of the Fighting Sioux, Ralph Englestad Arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It's a quick 5 hour drive from the Twin Cities, so we were there in no time flat. Once there I had to fill up my gas tank at a local gas station, pictured above.

After filling our tank we checked into our accomodations at the Ramada Inn. As you can see, they have an indoor swimming pool that has a very nice "adults only" swimming time for when people are trying to get some sleep after a long day of driving.

Onto the game. Here are some quick thoughts:

• The arena is spectacular. Most of the floors are done with granite and/or marble, including in the restrooms. I don't know how they can possibly change the Sioux's nickname because the logo is everywhere you look. Everywhere.


• Regarding the atmosphere, it reminded me of an NHL game. The crowd got loud when the Sioux scored, but was pretty quiet for a majority of the game. They played a lot of Motley Crue and GNR between puck drops, much to the delight on many fans. It struck me that there was no pep band or even an organized student section, ala UMD or UMTC. The students that were there seemed to be scattered around the building and did no organized chants. Lots of cowboy hats.


• Food-wise I really enjoyed my "taco-in-a-bag." Every arena should add this item to their menu immediately. They also offered pizza, dogs and burgers. The younger members of my staff enjoyed the mini-donuts quite a bit also.


• The game was a good one for the bulldogs, who I thought controlled play for most of the game, minus the Sioux power plays. The game was tied 2-2 late in the third period when the Sioux goalie let in a very soft goal that was launched 3 feet outside the blue line. UMD then added an empty-netter.

All in all, a fun experience. We're already starting to plan next year's road trip to Madtown.

Gabe Kaplan Reborn

First off I'd just like to apologize to the people who click here every day looking for thoughts and opinions about the Wild. The past few weeks have seen me lose interest in the club and in the NHL in general. I can't explain it, but I just had no desire to watch hockey. I'd try a period or two here and there, but nothing. Maybe it had to do with the club's slide in recent weeks, maybe not. Maybe it had to do with a very busy couple of weeks here on the homefront, who knows. All I know is that when Mikko Koivu's leg got broken, a certain fire in my belly was rekindled.

I watched the Vancouver game on Wednesday night with a renewed passion for the game. I wanted to see no. 24 pound on some Canuck in retribution for the evil slash, but it didn't happen. Instead I was drawn back into the sport I had come to love and rediscovered a level of interest that had been missing. Sure, the Wild got beat that night, but for me that was ok because I had found the game once again.

Now to the team. Something isn't right. Clearly. They wouldn't acquire Todd Fedoruk if things were swell. They currently sit at 3rd in the conference, but are only 2 points from being 10th. Pavol needs to come back today. Marty can no longer be two steps behind an attacking winger. Harding needs to stop giving up softies and Nik needs to find his consistency.

It begins this afternoon against the Jackets. Get 2 points today and move forward. Forget the past and start enjoying the game again.

Side note: Wild Puck Banter is going on the road this weekend. The crew and I are heading north to Grand Forks, North Dakota, to watch the UMD Bulldogs visit the Fighting Sue. Look for pictures and a recap of the trek Sunday evening. Until then, enjoy some puck.

Something's Rotten in Denmark

Well I think it's ok now to have legitimate concerns about this team, and unfortunately I can't quite put my finger on it. Goaltending? Subpar, but not the entire problem. Poor defense? Yes. Not enough scoring? Yes. Lack of emotion? Yes.

I don't know where the answer lies, but something tells me it's not in Calgary, their next stop. The Saddledome isn't exactly the best place to turn around a slide, but we'll see.

Guest Spot

I've been a little under the weather lately, so here's an offering from guest writer "Hat Trick":

What in the world is up with Wes Walz? The leave of absence for personal reasons is extremely odd. To me Walz is as close to the Heart of the Wild as there is – especially since the dismal Willie Mitchell trade. No one comes to the rink with more passion and energy than number 37. Great hockey name, great wheels and most importantly he never sends it – he brings it every game. Sure enough he’s lost a step or two over the last 2 seasons and no one is irreplaceable, but I’ll miss the sight of WW motoring around the ice, frustrating the other team’s best players and flashing that great, toothless smile when he interviews. If reports are true and the Pittsburgh game was a breaking point for him, I wish Walz would reconsider – not shutting down the Crosby-Malkin dynamo is no sin and on their good days even the best don’t stop them.

For Wes to step away from the game he loves, during the season is grave indeed – some serious soul searching must be going on. In the end, of course, the man must do what’s right for him. If that means his days with Wild are over – well, thanks for the memories! But if he’s decides he still wants to tear up the ice at XCEL and the other, lesser NHL rinks, well then I hope he hurries on back.