Updated at 3:30 p.m.

We all thought by making Mikko Koivu and Andrew Brunette alternate A’s yesterday that it canceled them out from being captain the first month.

Wrong.

During a pretty cool on-ice ceremony, owner Craig Leipold awarded the captaincy to Mikko Koivu this morning. So on Oct. 30, it will be Mikko vs. Saku with C’s on their chests.

Koivu was humbled. He did a half victory lap. I asked Koivu if he’s excited he gets to talk to the media after every game: “Only after wins,” he quipped.

Lemaire said they’ll announce the second ‘A’ for the month before tomorrow’s opener. It’ll be Kim Johnsson or Nick Schultz most likely.

Wild is clearly ready to hit the ice.

I just talked to the Boston Globe writer. Neither Claude Julien nor Manny Fernandez would reveal if Fernandez is starting tomorrow, but the other day Julien said Fernandez would “probably” start. Also, forward Chuck Kobasew is out with a right ankle injury sustained during the Bruins’ 5-4 win last night in Colorado. Kobasew is the only Boston injury.

Here’s a look at the Opening Night Festitivities:

MINNESOTA WILD ANNOUNCES OPENING NIGHT FESTIVITIES

WILD TO RAISE NORTHWEST DIVISION CHAMPIONS BANNER IN PRE-GAME CEREMONY

    SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Minnesota today announced the schedule of events for its sold-out 2008-09 home opener against the Boston Bruins on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on FSN North and WCCO Radio.

    The team will also host a pre-game party starting at 4:00 p.m. on the top floor of the RiverCentre Parking Ramp. Activities will include live music, food and beverages and interactive hockey games. The pre-game party is free and open to the public.

    The Wild will raise its 2007-08 Northwest Division champions banner in a special pre-game ceremony beginning at 7:15 p.m. on the Xcel Energy Center ice. Players from the following Minnesota Hockey State Championship teams will help raise the banner: Bloomington Jefferson Jr. Gold A, Edina White U16, Edina White U19 and the Lakeville Jr. Gold B.

    “Let’s Play Hockey” will be announced by players from each of the 2008 Minnesota State High School Hockey Championship teams: Alexandria (Class A girls), Eden Prairie (Class AA girls), Hill-Murray (Class AA boys) and St. Thomas Academy (Class A boys).

    All fans attending Saturday’s game will receive a Minnesota Wild calendar and a replica Northwest Division champions banner.

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