THE WILD WIRE - #6
Nov 13, 2018This week is a huge week for the Iowa Wild organization.
Tomorrow night the team will host the Milwaukee Admirals. Friday, it’s the Admirals again (at home) and then Saturday, the team takes on the Chicago Wolves.
If you look at the Central Division standings entering play on Tuesday, you’ll understand why this week is an early season barometer for the Wild. Here’s a link, or you can just check out my summary below.
1st Place – Milwaukee: 21 pts. in 16 games
2nd Place – Rockford: 19 pts. in 15 games
3rd Place – Iowa: 17 pts. in 13 games
4th Place – Chicago: 17 pts. in 14 games
If the Calder Cup Playoffs started today, those are the four teams that would qualify from the Central Division.
Personally, I’m excited to see how the team responds heading into what might be the biggest week to date in this young season.
SOKOLOV SUCCESS
Saturday night, rookie winger Dmitry Sokolov registered his first career two-goal game in a 4-3 setback versus Bakersfield.
Drafted in 2016, Sokolov is a player whom Minnesota Wild fans often ask about. The main reason – he’s a pure goal scorer. The young Russian buried 128 goals in three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League. Those gaudy numbers came in 196 games between his time in Sudbury and Barrie.
Let me repeat that: 128 goals in 196 games.
He’s one of those players that just has that knack for scoring – he’s got a great shot and he’s not afraid to let it fly.
Despite being out of the lineup at times this season, Sokolov has impressed the coaching staff. As Wild Head Coach Tim Army said, “the puck finds him.”
Blogger’s note: I went to Coach and basically said “how would you describe Sokolov – the fans always want to know about him and I’m writing my blog and I need just like 3-5 words on him,” and would you look at that, he gave me four words and I thought they were perfect. So, I turned and raced out of his office and back to my keyboard
Hopefully the two goals the other night keep Sokolov’s confidence at a high level. On the season, he has seven points (2g, 5a) in eight games.
BENNY FROM THE BUCS
Wednesday night’s game will be a TV broadcast on Mediacom’s MC-22. I’ll have the radio call with the great Pat Micheletti riding shotgun. MC-22 is broadcasting Wild games in high definition now, so it’s a good thing I’m so easy on the eyes [insert “you have a face for radio” joke here].
Anyway, Ben Gislason from the Des Moines Bucs will be filling in on the radio feed (1460, KXNO). It will be his first AHL game and I’m pumped for him. So, if you get a chance, tune in, and give him a follow on Twitter: @VoiceOfBennyG
Hopefully the Wild get back in the win column at home against the Admirals and keep pace in the Central Division. Matt Read is back from Minnesota and Justin Kloos is close to returning from injury, so Iowa will have a pretty deep group as they play three crucial games in a four-day span.
- Wild Joe Radio