Wild Gearing Up To Host Blackhawks At Xcel Center
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – The Minnesota Wild is in familiar territory Tuesday night as it hosts the Chicago Blackhawks at Xcel Energy Center in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals.
The Wild trail Chicago 2-0 in the best-of-seven playoff series, but the good news for Wild fans as the team returns home is that they are 3-0 on home ice in the postseason so far. The Wild lost Game 1 of the series 5-2 last Friday and lost Game 2 4-1 on Sunday. Both games were a lot closer and more competitive than the final score would suggest.
Minnesota needs a win Tuesday night to avoid having to win four straight games to win the series.
Wild team officials said it's always important to have a loud fan base at home playoff games, but it's even more important Tuesday night with the Wild advancing out of the first round.
"We were 3-0 at home in round one and we're hoping we can repeat that magic during round 2," said Wayne Peterson with the Minnesota Wild. "And then we just need to win one game in Chicago like we did in Colorado. I think when we hit the ice tonight the fans are going to bring it to another level if that's possible."
The Wild is hosting a pregame party for the general public outside of Gate 2 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Fans don't need a game ticket to attend and it's free of charge. NHL alumni, including Lou Nanne and J.P. Parise, will be on hand signing autographs for fans.
Peterson said if you don't have a ticket yet for Tuesday night's game, the demand is "off the charts." There is one chance left to claim tickets, and that's if Chicago doesn't sell all of its allotment for the game. If there are any available, they will be on the Ticketmaster web site at about 1 p.m.
