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October 22, 2002
Betrayal Transforms into Glory
By Matt Petersen
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ST. PAUL, MN. -- “Betrayal,” “anger,” “hurt,”
“sadness.” These were all ways fans here described how
they felt when their beloved Northstars were moved to
Dallas in 1994.
It was a sign of the times. Gone was a respected
northern franchise in the hockey-rich environs of
Minnesota to the polar opposite of hockey’s origins,
Dallas, TX. Well, it proved to be a good move for
ownership as they’ve seen their club thrive in the
south, but it left the people up here without a
professional club.
At least they had the UofM Gophers to hold on to until
the league rewarded Minnesota with their latest
expansion installment, the Wild. All jokes aside about
the primeval, monosyllabic moniker, the team has
played triumphantly in its first few seasons under the
tutelage of Coach Jacques Lemaire and his employment
of the trap. Sure, watching the trap is like watching
a pair of skates being sharpened, but at least it
keeps his young squad in every game.
It also instills confidence in a fan base still
warming up to a new building (no gripes about the
beautiful Xcel Energy Center, more on that later), a
new uniform, and a new batch of players. A few fans
that we talked to outside of the arena before the Wild
took down Calgary in OT, said that many people out
here still swear allegiance to the Stars. Too many
Mike Modano fans around here they say.
This stuff takes time, and if Wednesday night’s game
was a measuring stick, the fans will be behind their
new club 100 percent in short time. Newly acquired
veteran centerman Cliff Ronning netted the game winner
in early overtime to send the fans home happy after a
see-saw battle where the lead changed three times.
The Wild boast two pretty good lines (Marion Gaborik
sizzles on the first line, and Richard Park is all
over the ice on the second) and solid team defense.
They also play in the nicest new building we’ve seen
thus far. The Xcel Center is enormous with plenty of
cool amenities.
There are luxury boxes galore, and the lower level is
festooned with beverage and food stands, bathrooms and
televisions (which allowed me to sneak a peek of the
World Series, go Giants!). Fans can still watch the
game from the beer stand as the lower promenade is
carved out providing a view of the ice. What we
thought was an especially unique element of the place
is that every local high school and college jersey is
hanging throughout the building. There is a rich feel
of hockey emanating here, and by far, the Xcel Center
is the nicest “new” arena we’ve been to.
So we say goodbye to a wonderful old/new hockey town
for the weathered, cynical environs of Chicago,
Detroit and Pittsburgh. Wonder how it’s gonna be...
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Wild Win in OT
Cable Modem |
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