Minnesota Wild: Unforgettable Stadium Series Moments

The Minnesota Wild took their game outside and to another level with a 6-1 beat down of the Chicago Blackhawks.  It was a Stadium Series weekend full of memories for all.

I think we can all agree that the Stadium Series game yesterday certainly earned a place among the greatest Minnesota Wild moments in the franchise’s first fifteen years.  According to the NHL schedule it was just another regular season matchup between the Wild and their hated rivals the Chicago Blackhawks, but for the fans all over the State of Hockey it meant a chance to showcase to the entire country just how great a hockey game outside in the Minnesota winter can be.  TCF Bank Stadium became the focus of the entire hockey world for and exciting three hours, and the Wild rose to the occasion putting in a dominating performance winning 6-1.

The entire weekend was a blast and although there were so many moments to remember.  Still sitting here thinking about it a day later with everything soaking in I really wanted to share just a few of the things I thought made the Stadium Series Weekend one of the best ever in Minnesota Wild history.

1) The Alumni Game-  I cannot believe the team that was assembled on both benches.  Seeing the players I watched growing up again and trying to play like was exciting.  Mike Modano, Neil Broten, Wes Walz, Chris Chelios, and Jeremy Roenick it was like I was thirteen again trading hockey cards with my brother wearing my North Stars Jersey with the game on in the background.

The fan support for the game was outstanding as an estimated 40,000 fans made it out to watch the game.  Jeremy Roenick even mentioned in yesterdays’ telecast that it seemed like old times having that many fans cheering him on.  Oh and I suppose watching a “fight” with Dino Ciccarelli and Denis Savard would make anyone feel like it was old times.

The fact that they decided to use the old green and white North Stars jerseys and include the North Stars alumni really cemented the hockey legacy of the NHL in Minnesota.  It really made it clear that the North Stars never moved, that even though Dallas has the Stars franchise their claim to our past is null.  This game with the players and the jerseys made the declaration that all of us knew for years, the North Stars will always belong to Minnesota.

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2) It Snowed in The First Period- Nothing says winter in Minnesota quite like a little bit of snow.  It was something else to see that in the middle of the first period it started lightly snowing.  On the TV it was just neat to see JR interviewing a fan in stands with a few flakes of white around him.

Granted it was not a snow downpour like the one in the closing minutes of the first Winter Classic in Buffalo, but none the less it was pretty cool.  Secretly when we watch an outdoor game and when the players play in one we all want to see a little bit of snow.  It just adds to the moment.

3) Jason Pominville Is Finding His Game –  Pommer’s goal was awesome!  He took that pass from Niederreiter and just put a rocket on it past Crawford.  That tally made it three goals in three games, and helped show everyone that there just might still be some pop left in that stick.

To this point in the season he has drawn so much criticism about his production.  After all this is a guy who is costing the Wild 5.6 million dollars in cap space and cost the team two prospects, a second round pick, and a first round pick so expectations are high for him.  It’s good to see that he might be able to be that player who is worth that sacrifice, but still from a pure fan perspective it’s great to see him out their enjoying himself and getting rewarded.

4) Matt Dumba’s Opening Goal Celebration- When Matt Dumba charged in behind Ryan Carter to put home the first goal off the rebound, you couldn’t help but be pumped.  Then when you saw the young man’s expression, you got out of your chair and yelled.  He set the tone for the Wild, and the fans, to be passionate and enjoy the day.  Getting that first goal was key and we saw just how key it was from all the great moments that followed.

5) Ryan Carter’s Post-Game Interview- White Bear Lake native (Go Bears!) and Minnesota State alum Ryan Carter was overcome with the great feeling that comes from posting a goal and an assist in front of his hometown that he summed up the feeling of the game best.  When asked in the post-game interview he said listening to the band play he felt like he watched his whole career flash in front of him. He just summed it up the best it was all about celebrating the game at all levels and remembering all the feeling we have about hockey.

Next: Wild Sweep Through Western Canada

So many great memories I could have named a ton more.  Still simply this was a great victory and a great moment that has potential to drive the Wild even further as they find themselves only one point out of the playoffs as of the conclusion of Sunday’s games.  By defeating their arch rival on such a big stage, when the eyes of the country were watching and the hopes of the Wild fans were high the team just sent a very big message.