Brave The Wild -Minnesota Wild Podcast-

Joey Awaijane has been covering the Minnesota Wild on this show since August 2008, and has over 30 years of hockey fandom experience. Feel free to join the conversation via an audio submission or on twitter @bravethewild, simply tag #btwmn and comment away!

Sports
Hockey
201
Dr. Dumba And Mr. Hyde
The Minnesota Wild came out of the past week with a winning record, as Matt Dumba had two overtime goals vs the hated Blue and Anahiem Ducks. Dumba, Dubnyk and the Wild had an incredibly sloppy third period in L.A, as Marian Gaborik looked as healthy as he's been in years, burying his 400th career goal along the way. Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
57 min
202
From Bad To Better?
Today, along with covering the past week, your host sits down and analyses the current state of the Wild defensemen, present and future. We answer the questions as to why highly sought after Iowa blue liners Soucy and Seeler aren't up here yet. Ultimately, we get to who might be that beacon of hope as soon as next year, from that coveted right shot. Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild facebook.com/mwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
63 min
203
Dynamic Duo
In an up and down week, Mikael Granlund and Nino Niederreiter stepped up in a big way, despite the ongoing struggles of Devan Dubnyk in net. Alex Staylock in returning from his child's birth, continues to stand strong between the pipes, which will bring much needed rest and competition for the for mentioned struggling Dubnyk. Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
52 min
204
Four For Four!
After a fairly abysmal start to the month of November, Jason Zucker and Devan Dubnyk stole the spotlight with some spectacular play, lifting the Wild to a four game win streak! The most recent win took some third period magic, as the Wild would score four unanswered goals against the red-hot Predators! Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild facebook.com/mwnplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
58 min
205
On The Mend
Brave The Wild is back, and the Minnesota Wild are on the mend, as Foligno, Granlund, and Niederreiter have all returned to the lineup. Zach Parise however, has had back surgery, and Charlie Coyle is still recovering from a broken fibula. The Wild's play the last few weeks has been sporadic, but also has been on the mend as well, for the most part. Forgive your host, as he's not feeling his best on this episode. Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
59 min
206
Sloppy!
The one word to describe the Wild this past week, though only two games, has been sloppy! With five scorers missing from the lineup, the Wild still are able to score 4 and 3 goals, yet can't hang on in frustrating fashion. Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
44 min
207
Battered and Broken
The season started out with Zach Parise out. Just one game in, Granlund would join him. Just two games later, Nino Niederreiter, Charlie Coyle, and Marcus Foligno would drop like flies in Chicago. Opportunity is knocking for a few minor league players and top prospect Luke Kunin, can they make the most of it? facebook.com/bravethewild facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
43 min
208
Season Preview 2017-2018
The annual Minnesota Wild and NHL season preview is here! Your host talks extensively about what he expects this club to do this season, along with his expectations of each individual player. We then dive into the NHL preview, and talk about who the surprises, flops, and finalists will be, along with the eventual 2018 Stanley Cup Champions! Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
62 min
209
Free Agency, Trades 2017
We're finally back to talk about the moves Chuck Fletcher, and the Minnesota Wild were able to make the past 5 weeks or so. We talk about Tyler Ennis, Marcus Foligno, the new contracts for Nino Niederreiter and Mikael Granlund. We also get into some of the interesting player movement in the Western Conference, and try to figure out who will be on the Wild's fourth line. Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
47 min
210
State Of The Wild 2017
The annual State Of The Wild is here, as we put a bow on the 2016-2017 season, as we list off our yearly awards and demerits. We then talk about the expansion draft, trades, the entry draft, and preview free agency. Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethwild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
87 min
211
Need Of A Hero
The Minnesota Wild were eliminated by the St. Louis Blues in just five games, despite having our best season to date. Many fear this team is stuck on a plateau, with elongated contracts, and lower end draft picks. The hope now is that one of the prospects in this next wave will become that hero to save this franchise from it's temporal rift. Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
53 min
212
Change In Dynamics
Jake Allen remains on fire for the most part, but is most of it luck? It sure seemed so in game 3, as Staal missed literally a slam dunk, among other ridiculous NON goals by the Wild all series. After making some pretty significant changes to the top 3 lines in game 4, we saw a different team, who finally scored first, and scored more than one goal, not to mention Dubnyk's first shut out since December! This one win dramatically changes the Dynamics of this series, which can easily get to game 6, if not 7. Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild.minnesota facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
46 min
213
The Shadow Knows
The St. Louis Blues mimicked the Wild's every move, and was able to beat the home club 2-1 in the first two games of this first round series, despite the buzz saw of 52 shots in game 1. Mike Yeo and Jake Allen seem to know exactly where we're going at every turn, and frustration has started to mount among all Minnesota parties. facebook.com/bravethewild facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
34 min
214
Stanley Cup Preview
The Minnesota Wild are back in the playoffs for the fifth straight season, as they take on former Wild coach Mike Yeo, and the ever familiar St.Louis Blues. We wrap up the regular season a bit first, and then dive deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs, including predictions, some which may surprise you! Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild.minnesota facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
63 min
215
Staying Power?
After getting "embarrassed" by the lowly Canucks at home, the Wild finally started showing signs of improvement, but still didn't come home with wins vs Detroit and Washington. Goalie Alex Staylock has finally, mercifully been called up, giving Dubnyk much needed rest, and replaces the siv Darcy Kuemper. Top prospect Joel Ericksson Ek has also been called up/over, and the team moral has dramatically improved. Overall top prospect Luke Kunin has signed a pro contract, as he will leave Wisconsin, and already has a hat trick with the Iowa Wild! Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild.minnesota facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
73 min
216
Temporal Rift
Are the Minnesota Wild trapped in a temporal rift, where every season, at some point they start to implode? The hope is that there is also the annual surge that follows the implosion, but how can we not feel that we're stuck in some type of space and time distortion? Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild.minnesota facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
65 min
217
Dropping Down
Things went from bad to worse this past week, the Blackhawks put the Wild in the hole early, and as usual Crawford was magical the entire game. Washington put the Wild behind 3-0 before Staal could get one past Holtby, and Eddie Lack brought back the magic of a couple years ago, as the Wild were shut down again, in an 0-3 week. Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild.minnesota facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Likes at:209-736-7877
56 min
218
Growing Concerns
After a very solid win vs the Sharks, things took a turn for the worse, as Mike Yeo's St. Louis Blues stymied the Wild until 11 seconds remained, and then it was too late. The Tampa game was another eye opener, as the Bolts scored early, often, and easily against Dubnyk. After another rough start by Kuemper, the Wild refused to lose, and regained their scoring prowess, as they torched the Panthers. Eric Staal appears back to being the guy he was earlier this season. facebook.com/bravethewild facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
59 min
219
Wild Ride
The past week was an out of control wild ride, with poor goaltending (until the Columbus game) off and on puck possession, inconsistent officiating, trades, call ups, and waivers. Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild.minnesota facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
65 min
220
Has The Worm Turned?
Despite an exciting and impressive victory against Nashville, we're starting to see some bad habits surface yet again. Lack of focus, and timing from young ailing defensemen, also poor passing angles from veterans has been the ire of Bruce Boudreau. Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
62 min
221
Malice
Another fun week for the Minnesota Wild with several highlight plays, but it didn't come without some pain and suffering. Jared Spurgeon narrowly avoided a serious eye injury when Gustov Nuquist speared him in the cheekbone. Frustration would mount, with only a 4 minute penalty given, and a mere 6 game suspension was issued. We feature Luke Kunin this week, as mnwplayers writer Pavel Bunat gives his thoughts on the Wild's top prospect! Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
55 min
222
Fearless
No matter who the opponent, when the game is, or who is in net, this team plays with fearless confidence, and grace on a nightly basis. Every night has had a new hero, a new line or two, with minor shuffles, or major, the wins keep coming. Also on Stitcher and Double Twist!! facebook.com/bravethewild facebook.com/mnwplayers @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
62 min
223
Boom And Bust
Coming out of the break, going into Edmonton with Darcy Kuemper in net, didn't sound like a recipe for success. Despite facing 43 shots from the ultra talented Oilers, Kuemper was up to the task, and Tyler Graovac added two goals! In Calgary, a lot of bad habits returned, and Dubnyk was hung out to dry, time and again. Alex Tuch has been called up, and will replace Coyle on the top line! Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
50 min
224
Building A Cushion
Despite some struggles defensively, and between the pipes against Anaheim and Nashville, the Wild put the clamps down later in the week, and continue to build a cushion between themselves and the Chicago Blackhawks! Also on Stitcher and Double Twist! facebook.com/bravethewild @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
53 min
225
Trap Games
Despite finishing 3-1 this past week, some bad habits have returned, particularly in what we refer to as "trap games" vs New Jersey and Arizona. It's a shame to see a club play as well as they did against Chicago, only to struggle in all three of the other games this past week. Also on Stitcher and Double Twist facebook.com/bravethewild @bravethewild paladinolive@yahoo.com Call into our Phone Lines at:209-736-7877
49 min