Today is a huge day of hockey. My team, the Minnesota Wild, are taking on the Detroit Red Wings in a battle that has huge playoff implications for Minnesota. A "W" is extremely important for the Wild if they want to stay in the heat of the Western Conference playoff race. The standings are pretty stacked as most of you probably know, with just six points separating the 10th spot from the 3rd. It's going to be an amazing finish to the regular season.
Now, some of you may be thinking "Why is this guy from Cleveland such a big Minnesota Wild fan? It just doesn't make sense!" Well, that can be explained by two things. First, in my lifetime, Cleveland has never had an NHL team. I didn't really even get deep into hockey until right after high school. Second, when I was young, I could remember seeing Minnesota North Stars games on ABC's Wide World of Sports. So, when Minnesota was getting a brand new team around the time I started following hockey again, I jumped on board and have been a Wild fan ever since. The other teams I really root for are the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs and recently the Chicago Blackhawks. I like Vancouver and Calgary.
As for teams you will NEVER catch me rooting for, there are quite a few. Topping the list are the Detroit Red Wings. Yes, I love tradition and yes, they are an Original Six team but I just can't bring myself to root for them. Ever. No matter what. I hate any team that transplanted. This includes the Stars, Hurricanes and Coyotes. I can't stand the Columbus Blue Jackets. I feel like their fans are just too elitest for my taste. Their arena is a dump too. Their one redeeming quality is their new third jersey, which they never wear. Teams in the south I can't stand either. Florida, Atlanta, Nashville...What are they doing with an NHL team? Honestly? Hartford, Winnipeg, Quebec...THESE are they cities that need teams. I'm not a fan of Pittsburgh or their "Wonder-Boy" but the Capitals, on the other hand, I like.
I play hockey too, not very well mind you, but I do play. Most nights, I sport my original Minnesota jersey but recently I've been wearing my new Alternate Wild Jersey with Matt Cullen's name and number on my back. Also, I have been sporting a royal blue Quebec Nordiques jersey with Guy LaFleur's name and number. He only spent his last couple seasons in Quebec but it's Guy Freaking LaFleur we're talking about here.
Well, I think that's enough about me and hockey for now. I need to focus on the games!!!
