Ep #89 Wild on 7th Hockey Day MN, Chapstick, and a Rat

No dress rehearsal, this is our pod. Our 100th pod. With a nod to our century show, our favorite rink side reporter Kevin Gorg, aka K-Train, drops by the show to sit between your beloved hosts, and much like a pimento cheese sandwich, it's much more enjoyable chilled. However, with the playoff race still in full swing, the guys are a little less chill than usual. Join in for a breakdown of the Masters, and the Wild's last few games, before a big week, and a live pod recording at Mall of America on Thursday April 17th at 5pm at the Rotunda. Thanks to our sponsors Pilot Games, Cub, Wild Construction, Jimmy's Dressings and Dips, Aquarius Home Services, Pep's Drafthaus Pizza, T-Rex Cookies, and Bosch Law. Your Season 3 Finale is a click away, but hold on tight for game by game recaps from the second season.

A story we've heard for many years, a Cinderella story really, Ryan Carter is on his annual trip to Augusta for Masters week, so he joins us remotely as Kinger holds down the studio as the Wild try to hold down their playoff position. With a huge win against Dallas over the weekend, the Wild maintain a positive outlook, going into the last few games of the season. If you happened to give up all forms of media on Sundays during Lent, you kinda missed a few big things yesterday, and this will be a great show to get you back up to speed. One, Alexander Ovechkin is now the Gr8est goal scorer in the history of hockey, and two, Wild on 7th is approaching their 100th episode, and will celebrate with a live recording at Mall of America on April 17th at 5pm. See you there!

Carts connects with Kinger remote from Palm Springs, for a brief breakdown of the Gophers unraveling, the buzz around the NCAA hockey tournament, and how the Wild are battling to maintain playoff position. The guys discuss Zuccarello's leadership, Ovechkin and Fleury's final handshake, and lean into the unsung story of this years squad, the goaltenders. Wild Goaltending coach Frederic Chabot joins in studio to discuss his career, the impact of Filip Gustavsson and Marc Andre Fleury, his coaching tactics, and his personal best on toastie dogs. Strap on the pads for a great show, as Kinger says, "Hey DJ, play La Bamba!"

MLB Hall of Famer and Twins legend Joe Mauer joins Carts and Kinger for a deep dive into Minnesota sports culture, giving back to the fans, and how playing multiple sports growing up shaped his career. The guys also break down the Wild’s recent home stretch, debate whether Mats Zuccarello is the funniest player on the team, and highlight Freddy Gaudreau’s incredible advocacy for World Down Syndrome Day. Don’t miss this one!

Wild Alum and legendary NHL tough guy, John Scott joins Carts and King this week to talk about his storied career, his ever growing family, his time with the Minnesota Wild, and some other notable moments you might be familiar with. The 2016 NHL All Star MVP talks about being roommates with Derek Boogaard, his aspirations of his story hitting the silver screen, and the future of the enforcer in the NHL game. Some very bright things coming from a guy that made a living throwing knuckles, but hey, he's got a mechanical engineering degree from Michigan Tech. Foil up for this one folks, the days of players like this might return someday, and you'll want him on your side!

Tourney week is over, but the tourney hangover is not! Carts joins us remote from FLA, and King carries the studio on his back as they breakdown an absolutely amazing week of hockey in Saint Paul! The relatively quiet Minnesota Wild have remained as such during their early game on Sunday, for likely the last time Sid and Geno face-off against their old pal Flower, but they head into a busy remainder of March here at Xcel Energy Center! In what feels like a series of back to back games at home, the Wild have their work cut out for them as playoffs are looming. Snap into a slimjim this week as you recover from the high school state tourney, and gear up for a bunch more battles at home here in Saint Paul.

The Tourney is on West 7th this week, and all eyes are on Saint Paul as the boys state high school hockey tournament hits the Xcel Energy Center in what is sure to be an electric atmosphere. Carts and King break down some Wild action, expand on the injury report, but dial their focus onto high school hockey with head coach of the Shakopee Sabers, Calvin Simon, and the champion of community hockey, VP of the Minnesota Wild foundation and leader of the Skate it Forward initiative, Mr. Mike Snee. West 7th is going to be buzzing this week, so get in an ice bath and prepare yourself to be entertained. The State of Hockey's biggest stage is set.

Minnesota Wild Head Coach John Hynes is THRIVING in this world of hockey, as the 4-Nations came and went, and the Minnesota Wild are back on the ice as they face the back end of the season heading into the trade deadline. Join us for some amazing insight on the historic USA vs CANADA matchup in Montreal, Hynes' impressions of the Wild players that seemed to dominate roster spots all over the tournament, and now what to expect moving into this week and the start of March. Who's calling the lines? John Hynes is now!  

Our resident Captain America, John King is on the ground in Boston and ready for a wicked tilt tonight when USA faces Sweden, in the lead up to Thursdays 4 Nations Faceoff Championship. Carts and King talk about the bash brothers, Sid the Kid, the absence of Makar, and more. Tune in for a solid pod, before the red, white, and blue drop the puck tonight.

4-Nations break is underway, and Carts and King get things started off in not-so-typical Wild on 7th fashion, with a tip o' the cap to Wild Radio Joe O'Donnell and his beloved Philadelphia Eagles. The gents breakdown their superb parties, before talking about the Wild's run up to the break. They're joined by Team USA GM (and Wild GM) Bill Guerin for more shenanigans about hockey, travels, and his preferred chowder.