Looks like the same lineup tonight, except Keith Carney in for the injured Sean Hill. Looks like Branko Radivojevic is out, along with Petteri Nummelin.

I’d be willing to stake my career on Josh Harding starting (if Jacques sees this, Niklas Backstrom will start).

I had a fun night last night. In three seasons covering the Wild, I’ve seen one high school game in person, and that was a state championship at the X two years ago.

For years covering the Panthers, Mark Parrish and Matt Cullen told me I had to see a Minnesota state championship game up close. So two years ago, the Wild got back from California I believe mid-afternoon and I sprinted over to the X to see a state finals game. The atmosphere was incredible for about five minutes, that was until, I think it was, Cretin-Derham slaughtered somebody else (can’t remember who).

So last night I drove out to the burbs to watch Minnetonka host Armstrong.

The Skippers won 7-1 where a sophomore defenseman-turned-winger (very Brent Burns-like) named Andrew Prochno scored two goals, an assist and was a plus-4.

The scout (and biased cousin in me) says Prochno’s going to be a future superstar. For a guy who’s been a defenseman his whole life, he looks like a natural up front — checks hard, crashes the net and smart — every time one of his blue-liners pinched, he was the guy covering at the point.

Andrew’s high-flying linemate, Sam Coatta, tacked on two, while David Goebel, Max Gardiner (younger, bigger brother of future Wisconsin defenseman Jake Gardiner) and Erik Hansen (prettiest goal of the night) added the others.

I did feel like a scout at the game, it was funny. Asking Andrew’s mom, Beth, “Who’s No. 8? Paul Giel. Man, he can fly,” and “Anthony Raiola is going to make some school happy.” Then Beth told me he’s committed to UMass.

And I’ll tell you what, Jake Gardiner is one smooth player. If you remember, I wrote a little about him back in September when he was invited to that Octagon NHL pre-training camp and skated as a forward on a line with Marian Gaborik, and I believe, Mark Parrish.

You can tell Minnetonka’s a well-coached team, and the Skips’ coach is 30 years old (Brian Urick). Pretty impressive.

It was just fun to see a high school game in a smaller, packed rink. It reminded me of my days covering prep sports — especially football — in the early-to-mid 90s in Florida. It was also fun to be able to watch a game for fun … without a deadline … without having to write … without not being allowed to cheer.

I was trying to remember as I drove away the last time I actually clapped my hands at a sporting event. I bet it’s been 15 years — I’m not joking.

I liked Armstrong’s NY Rangers-like uniforms. They had a No. 39, who skated tremendously. I was thinking, “Wonder if he’s a Doug Weight fan?” Then it dawned on me, he’s so young, he probably doesn’t even know Doug Weight played for the Rangers.

Lastly, I got this email from a reader in Nashville who gave me permission to publish it. I wanted to throw it up because incoming Wild head honcho Craig Leipold’s been getting lots of negative press from north of the border. I think when you read these stories you need to remember this – many writers in Canada wanted Leipold to sell the Predators to Jim Balsillie, the Blackberry guru who planned to figure a way to move the team to Hamilton, Ontario.

I’d prefer to listen to the Nashville writers, who dealt with Leipold every day and say he’s a good chap, and the many Nashville fans who have emailed me to tell me Wild fans are lucky to have him.

This email is from Predators’ season-ticket holder Wayne Millen:

You couldn’t be more “right on” about Craig. This guy is one of the most genuine people I have ever met. Loves hockey, is easy to talk to, is accommodating and walks the concourses every game. Craig doesn’t “hide out” and avoid the fans. He will be out among them.

We don’t have a hockey problem here in Nashville, we have an attendance & support problem from the business community. Craig recognized that and moved to solve the problem thru local ownership. I’m sure he agonized over selling his baby but, as much as I hate to see Craig gone, he did the right thing.

I’ve been a season ticket holder to the Predators for 8 of the past 10 years and I’m tellin ya, Y’all are going to love this guy.

Thank you Craig for bringing the NHL to Nashville. I wish you well.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 13th, 2008 at 10:54 am and is filed under Main. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.