Radio (kfan) Wild program

Our hometown all-sports radio stations includes a weekly Saturday program (not progrum) called 'Beyond the Pond' that is wall-to-wall hockey. They include all levels from high school to beyond the NHL. During the show, there is always ample time for Wild coverage but since almost all Minnesota amateur level seasons are now complete, with only the NCAA's Frozen Four remaining, there is plenty of time to spit out and chew the Wild and their season. The show features a host of three, with two-thirds of the crew knowledgeable and consistent with their thoughts and opinions, and one-third constantly wavering back and forth from show to show & week to week. In fact, there are times when this supposed hockey expert sounds dazed and confused and also contradicts himself in is own arguments while talking out of both sides. Well today I had the chance to listen to a good portion of the two hour program but have to admit that I have had enough. I turned the dial simply because of what was spewing out of the one-third's talking orifice.

Minnesota's own Pat Micheletti is a hockey legend up on the iron range. And his last name is a household name throughout Minnesota, at least for the older generation. There is no doubt that Pat had a great amateur career with Hibbing High School and the University of Minnesota Gophers. But he seemed to have left his 'hockey' sense somewhere after leaving the 'U'. Unfortunately he is given a platform because it is clear that knowledge is lacking when it comes to the NHL and specifically the Wild. I am not referring to nor looking for a rah-rah host, as I have my own opinions and know when I do hear the home-town slant. The other hosts in Brandon Mileski & Nate Miller are closer to being the homers, but they can actually call it like it is without their fantasizing thoughts. On the other-hand, Micheletti brings absolutely nothing to the broadcast table other than his way off-base comments and remarks. It's as if he were stuck in the college game looking for a wide-open product. The news flash would be that the NHL does not play that style. We will not see an olympic sized sheet of ice at the pro level and there will always be the grinding play.

If I would have had the chance to call into todays episode of Beyond the Pond, it would have sounded something like this...

Hey, thanks guys for taking my call. Micheletti, you're an idiot. Anybody that has even a small amount of knowledge about the NHL knows that pretty much all of the teams play the same 'system', a system that you like to refer to as 'boring' when you talk about Coach Jacques Lemaire. What you failed to point out today during one of your Lemaire bashing was that the difference in this league is the talent that some teams have on their roster. Say what you want Micheletti, but the top and the bottom teams all play very similar...the difference being that the top have better and more talented players to plug into the 'system'. While I'll agree with you that this team has been mismanaged by our GM, but to go after Lemaire shows that you really lack the knowledge needed to sit in the chair that you are currently in. In fact, you should thank Lemaire for keeping the team this close with the 'talent' that he has been given. Thanks, I'll hang up and listen to you rip me...

There, that ends my rant.

Is help on the way?

After a giving out a thorough beating last night, the Minnesota Wild positioned themselves closer to the final post-season position. Unfortunately, even winning out may not even be enough to guarantee at least the 8th spot in the Western Conference. Tonight's NHL match-ups will probably either extend the teams hopes or extinguish any chances of the Wild making a push further. Three key games include the Ducks @ Sharks, Blues @ Stars, and Blue Jackets @ Predators. The Wild need the Ducks, Blues, & Predators to lose tonight...if the Ducks and Blues win and the Wild lose in their national televised game tomorrow against the Red Wings, it is all over.

Finish the way that you started

The Wild ran out of the gate to start the season, finishing the month of October 6-2-1. That early stretch included going 4-0-1 in its first 5 games. Funny, but it would not surprise me if the Wild finished the season with that same 5-game record.