Good afternoon. Michael Russo back with you, as I decided to work today.
But Rachel Blount will be back on for Tuesday's practice. Lately, I'm working the schedule of a fireman (minus the courage and heroism). Forty-eight hours on, 24 off. Or vice versa.
But starting Wednesday, I'll be with you the rest of the week.
Very loose day down at the X as coach Todd Richards had the boys laughing and smiling with a very fun practice, high-tempo, scrimmage-like practice. Martin Havlat scored some beauties today, so hopefully that'll trickle into some games.
With no Wild games until Thursday, this practice was very predictable, just as Tuesday's back to work practice is a guarantee.
The Wild's won two in a row, and the players were wishing they could play right away now that the team's finally got a little momentum. Maybe the Wild is poised to go on a run now. After all, traditionally (at least since I've been the beat writer), the Wild's on fire in October before hitting a November swoon. Maybe it'll reverse this month and the Wild will follow its 5-9 October with a successful November.
Other than injured Kim Johnsson, Josh Harding and Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Mikko Koivu and Andrew Brunette also missed practice today. It's believed both were maintenance days.
I'm writing a Marek Zidlicky story for tomorrow. He was highly criticized for his play at the end of last season by coach Jacques Lemaire -- and uh, me. Bigtime mistakes cost the Wild in New Jersey and a heart-breaker in Detroit.
