Top Wild Games of 2010-2011: October 30, Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks are the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Not long ago, the Blackhawks were a bottom cellar team with little publicity in the NHL. Well, that has all changed now. On October 30, the Chicago Blackhawks will battle against the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center.

With Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane up front, the Chicago Blackhawks have as much talent and depth at forward as anyone in the league. They also have Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith on defense. Minnesota will look at Chicago's model of rebuilding and hopefully someday attain the same success they have had. Martin Havlat and Cam Barker are two players on the Minnesota Wild that will be looking to factor in the game, as they are two former Chicago Blackhawks.

Top Wild Games of 2010-2011: November 20, New York Rangers

Over the next few weeks, I will write about the games I am most looking forward to for the Minnesota Wild. The first game I will start off with is November 20 against the New York Rangers at the Xcel Energy Center. The New York Rangers are not the most glamorous team in the NHL, I get that. What this game does bring is two former Minnesota Wild fan favorites back to the Xcel. Marian Gaborik and Derek Boogaard were two of the most popular players for the Minnesota Wild at one point.

Until Marian Gaborik had his falling out with the staff and decided to sit out games because of injury, he was the consensus face of the franchise. Derek Boogaard was a crowd pleaser with fights and big hits right up until he entered free agency. The New York Rangers offered him a contract he could not refuse this offseason. For those reasons, I am looking forward to the New York Rangers at the Xcel Energy Center on November 20th.

Xcel Energy Center Awarded 2012 Hockey Regionals

Although the Xcel Energy Center will host the 2011 NCAA Men's College Hockey Frozen Four in April, it was announced this week that the Xcel Energy Center will also be hosting the West Regional semifinals for the NCAA Tournament in March of 2012. It will be the 4th consecutive year that the Twin Cities will be the host of a Men's college hockey NCAA tournament event. The last time the Xcel Energy Center hosted the Frozen Four, the Minnesota Gophers won the tournament in 2002. Go Gophers!

Jonas Brothers Cancel St. Paul Concert

Last week, the Jonas Brothers announced they will not be visiting the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on September 8th like initially planned. The trio has cancelled other concerts in the United States and have added international ones in Mexico, South America, and Europe. Other concerts cancelled include Milwaukee, Seattle, and Phoenix. The Disney-sponsored band gained its popularity from the Disney Channel network and have sold over 8 million albums worldwide. The band consists of brothers Joe, Nick and Kevin. The brothers hail from New Jersey.