After a 6-4 win over the Senators Tuesday in Ottawa, the Wild headed to the airport to fly out that night. The team cleared customs and was on the runway when the captain alerted the team of mechanical issues; one of the engines wouldn't start.
So the search for a new aircraft began.
Andrew Heydt, the Wild's director of team operations and player relations, and Delta Air Lines located a plane the NBA's Cavaliers had used.
"Being in Canada, Delta only had regional jets," Heydt said. "So it wasn't a big enough aircraft for our team."
After a flight from Cleveland to Ottawa, the new plane touched down at 3:45 a.m. Wednesday, and the team was in the air by 4:30. It arrived in Florida around 7:45.
"That wasn't exactly normal, sitting there, especially when you're not expecting it," said winger Jason Zucker. "It just kind of pops up on you."
SARAH MCLELLAN
