Opening Night

Well the day has finally arrived. A little over six months since the Minnesota Wild closed out the 2009-2010 season against Dallas they return to Xcel for the home opener tonight against Edmonton.

Yes technically the Wild had their "home opener" last Thursday in Helsinki but it's not really a home opener until it takes place in front of the team of 18,000. 

And in the history of the Minnesota Wild they have done pretty well in home openers with a record of 8-0-1. With the 10th home opener taking place tonight let's take a look back at their previous openers at Xcel.

2000: Minnesota vs. Philadelphia

The NHL finally returns to Minnesota after a seven year absence with Minnesota taking on Philadelphia. Richfield's Darby Hendrickson scored the 1st regular season goal for the Wild at Xcel tying the game after one period at 1-1.

Minnesota would take the lead twice in the game on goals by Marian Gaborik (Power Play) & Wes Walz (Short-handed) only to have the Flyers rally to tie the game each time. The game would end in a 3-3 tie with Minnesota earning their 1st point in the NHL.

2001: Minnesota vs Boston

Stacy Roest scores two goals for the Wild and Manny Fernandez had 35 saves in leading Minnesota to a 2-1 win over Boston. It is the 1st win of the season for the Wild.

2002: Minnesota vs. Boston

After starting their 1st two seasons on the road the Wild finally start a NHL season on home ice and the Wild give their fans something to cheer about as they defeat the Boston Bruins 5-1. 

Andrew Brunette & Sergei Zholtok each had a goal and an assist and Pierre Marc Bouchard registered his 1st point in the NHL with an assist. This game was the start of an 8-1-2 mark in October that led to the team 1st ever playoff berth.

2003: Minnesota vs. New York
  
Opening their season without their top three scorers from 2002-2003 the Wild received timely goals from Pierre Marc Bouchard, Matt Johnson & Brad Bombadir to lead the Wild past the Rangers 5-3. Manny Fernandez had 25 saves in the win for the Wild and Sergei Zholtok added three assists.
  
2005: Minnesota vs. Calgary

After a year away due to a lockout the NHL returned and Minnesota defeated the defending Western Conference Champion, Calgary Flames by a score of 6-3.

Marc Chouinard scored a hat-trick for the Wild while Todd White scored a goal & two assist and Pierre Marc Bouchard added three assists as well in the win. Dwayne Roloson had 28 saves in the win.

2006: Minnesota vs. Colorado

It took more than 60 minutes but Minnesota won their 6th home opener in a row with a 3-2 win over Colorado. Todd White scored the game winning goal a minute into the overtime. 

Marian Gaborik & Branko Radivojevic each had a goal & an assist in the win for Minnesota. Manny Fernandez had 29 saves in the win.

2007: Minnesota vs. Chicago

Pierre Marc Bouchard scored the only goal of the game at 4:47 of the 2nd period and Niklas Backstrom stopped all 27 shots he faced in leading the Wild to a win over Chicago 1-0. It is the 1st shutout in a home opener for the Wild.

2008: Minnesota vs. Boston

The Wild continue their mastery over the Bruins with a 4-3 win over Boston. Eric Belanger had two goals including the game winner at 12:28 of the 2nd period. Mikko Koivu added two assist and Niklas Backstrom withstood a late charge from Boston in the 3rd period stopping 34 of 37 shots in the win for Minnesota.

2009: Minnesota vs. Anaheim

The Wild rally from three goals down with 14 minutes to play in the 3rd period on goals by Mikko Koivu, Petr Sykora & Eric Belanger to force overtime.

In the overtime Andrew Brunette scored at the 3:08 mark on a Power Play to give Minnesota a 4-3 win over the Ducks and Todd Richards his 1st win as the head coach of the Minnesota Wild.

Martin Havlat had three assist in his 1st home game for the Wild and Niklas Backstrom finished the night with 16 saves.

So as you can see throughout the first nine seasons the home opener has been pretty good for Minnesota. The Edmonton Oilers come to town for tonight's home opener and while they had the worst record in the NHL last season this shouldn't be considered a lock for the Wild.

Minnesota has had their struggles as well and while a win tonight won't silence the negativity that surrounds this team it will give the fans something to feel good about. 

Who knows, maybe another home opening win may be the spark the Wild need.

Puck drop is at 7:30 tonight. I plan on being back tomorrow with a recap of the opener. until then thanks for reading & enjoy the hockey.