Jay Moore, a school teacher from St. Paul’s Highland Park, wore the lucky Stanley Cup-inspired, hockey-puck-festooned hat he’s owned since the Minnesota Wild’s third season in downtown St. Paul.
The hockey team is now in its 21st season, and Moore was feeling better than ever about the Wild’s chances to win the playoffs as he walked a pre-game block party in Rice Park like the proud duke of a royal court.
“Having the home ice is going to make a big difference,” Moore said exuberantly, noting the team’s last downtown game was outdoors on New Year’s Day. “They haven’t played at the Xcel this season in front of an indoor crowd.”
Super fan Todd Robideau of Excelsior, Minn., also known as the Woo Man, called the season to date “more than amazing. It’s been over the top: chemistry, they look like they’re having fun, playing hard. They just need to put it together now and take care of the Blues. I don’t want to lose the Blues again. At there.”
Living the Dream, IV: Speaking of feeling it, Ani Sward and Scott Barkeim of Forest Lake met a celebrity tonight. How will the #mnwild do? “They’re going to win, I have no doubt,” said Scott. pic.twitter.com/4EsxniQ6Mr
— Frederick Melo, Reporter (@FrederickMelo) May 2, 2022
IMPROMTU CELEBRATION
Shortly before the Minnesota Wild skated their first home playoff game against the St. Louis Blues on Monday evening, hundreds of fans converged in downtown Rice Park for a free and impromptu celebration organized by the St. Paul Downtown Alliance, a partnership between City Hall and the downtown business community.
Fans were invited to show up in their Wild apparel and enjoy beer and brats for purchase in a tailgate atmosphere, complete with music blasted on speakers, beanbag toss, a giant Connect Four stand, Red Bull ladies handing out free sodas and an appearance by Nordy , the identity-fluid team mascot, who could be a fox, bear, hybrid or other.
A handful of tailgating parties were allotted grilling locations through a lottery system coordinated by the Downtown Alliance with help from the Minnesota Wild, and bars and restaurants near the Xcel Energy Center were open and ready for Wild fans.
Organizers with the Downtown Alliance had to throw the event together in a hurry, not knowing when Monday night’s game would be held until the National Hockey League published the playoff schedule on Saturday.
BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER
As downtown St. Paul reopens to workers, concert-goers and sports fans, the Alliance sees the playoffs as testament to downtown’s potential to bring people together after a difficult two pandemic years and show off a key corner of the city eager for visitors.
Todd Robideau, the Woo Man, of Excelsior Minnesota, season ticket holder “since the beginning.” pic.twitter.com/10S0iosI8E
— Frederick Melo, Reporter (@FrederickMelo) May 2, 2022
“Think about the impact of 18,000 Wild fans who are all excited, they’re coming downtown, they’re going to pay for parking, they’re going out to eat, they’re going to get drinks,” said Joe Spencer, president of the Downtown Alliance, in an interview Monday.
“All of that adds up,” Spencer said. “It’s a tremendous economic impact on top of the price of the ticket — plus all the people who come downtown to watch the game at the bars and be close to the action.”
The Wild, who have never appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals, lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the playoffs in 2021. They face the St. Louis Blues in this playoff series.
Living the Dream, cont.: “This is the best record we’ve ever had in the regular season,” said school teacher Jay Moore of Highland, with Kris Detviler. He’s had this hat since Season 3. We’re in Season 21. They rarely miss games. Tonight is season’s first game on indoor home ice! pic.twitter.com/TvYUD5vahr
— Frederick Melo, Reporter (@FrederickMelo) May 2, 2022
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism