Former Wild D Justin Falk + rookie Hunter Haight

0:00You're listening to the official Minnesota wild time cast presented by Acresher. Back here in St. Paul, the Grand Casino arena, we're after one period of play. The visitors happening in the Chicago Black House have taken a lead one nothing in this hockey. I'm Tom Reed, please join with a. Are you the real Justin Falcars? There's two Justin Falcs. One has a U and he's from South St. Paul. You must be the other guy. I'm the other one still get confused. You know, I still get hockey cards mailed to me of the other guy asking me to say so. Yeah, I just write wrong guy on it and mail it back. Yeah, I've seen that before. Impression is the first period. Yeah, you know, good opportunity for both teams. Obviously different in the standings there, but younger players with Chicago looking to continue to take steps in their development. You're seeing some some players at the wild. A new face is brought in at the deadline. It's some different slotting based on some of the injuries in the in the top six that are out there.

1:02So kind of neat to see guys play in different roles, but the spark and energy that we saw there at the scrum at the end should hopefully filter into the rest of the game and it should be a good one. Yeah, you're scouting out for the Buffalo Sabers. And what are stories they have had this year? I mean, it's been absolutely great. And I think everyone is really happy for Buffalo because 14 years, I think, since they've been have not been in the playoffs. And this will be number 15. But it looks like they're going to make it. And right now they've evolved to themselves into the first place position. And then it lengthened vision. I mean, they've ever had a Tampa, they're ahead of Montreal, Boston, Detroit, Ottawa, Toronto. And and Florida. I mean, what happened to this hot guy? I know you made it a change in the general managership there, but that can't be the only thing that changed because you went from a team that was not very good to winning a bunch of games in a role. Yeah, obviously a bit of a difficult start to the season with some of the health that went through the locker room. Not able to play with a full line up our captain

2:02dealing with his wife situation and her heart transplant that she dealt with in the summer. So a few different things that kind of went through to the start of the season that took us for a little bit to find her footing. I've always loved the talent within the roster. And a lot of people will say that. It was just getting a clicking, getting it in rhythm. And a little bit of next level of edge and competing in your game that you need to top off the skill level that you have that can help pick it to the next level. So the teams really have bought in, it's jelling. The chemistry continues to grow. And at least a little bit of confidence with him and the joy of coming to the ring every day. Yeah, it really has been joy for the players. And they were so bad for so long. And fans, even in that case, the fans still were coming out, not in grows, but they certainly are now. Yeah, it's a packed arena. I kind of joke with the buddies of mine. It's basically the Bills Mafia indoors now. So it's a passion that's sporting a talent and community there. They've continued to grind through it the years and support the club.

3:03And to see the on-ice product right now, and deliver back just the passion and the engagement and the connection between a fan base and an organization. You've seen that here as the wall of growing over the years from back from my playing days and the strides they've taken and the key acquisitions of the players they've brought in here to compliment the leaders that have been here, like Spurge with this 1000 game the other day, they're around with the roster here. And that's really what builds the connection with the fan base and the club. Yeah, and you're looking at your coach, also Lindy Ruff, who's been around. There's no question he was with Buffalo for many, many years. Went on to New Jersey for a while back to Buffalo. And it was really a tough, tough start this year for him and for the team, but it's turned around. And I think, you know, we have to get the coach a lot of credit also being able to hold the guys together and giving that confidence they need to play in the game. Yeah, I know. I think Lindy would be the first to say with all the experience he has, there's always some new situation environment that comes along throughout your club in the course of a season and wherever you're at.

4:03So he's managed it accordingly. He's done a great job in stealing the worth that work ethic, the defensive structure and the buy-in that we've needed to round out our 200 foot game as a group. And that's led to, like I said, more joy and believing in the process that you're just asked to build up for you. Yeah, and you look at the young kids also. I look at Tage Champs and what he's back to the table. He's played about 68 games. You got 34 goals. You've got Valene who's more of a playmaker. He's got 47 assists to go along with his 13 goals. And then you've got Alex Huck, the former wild protégé that also has another 28 goals. So you're getting a little more balanced scoring from all of your lines rather than just one or two lines having to carry the role. Absolutely. I think you know that there is you, as you want to build your group, you can never have enough depth and you can never not have enough contributions within your group. And that's just exciting about our group right now is there's even been some different line combinations and whatever that may be needed to continue to have that spark and excitement.

5:04And lean on guys in every different night. And guys do show up going to the ring, believe in they have a chance to be the difference in the game. And that's key to have contributions from everybody. Just in bulk, I guess, a pro scope for the Buffalo Sabers. And I looked also at the fact that going to the ring. And I know what it's like, and you probably have been in those situations to the team is not good and you have to go to the ring. And it becomes a job. When you're winning, you want to be on the ice, you want to be there. And you see that especially in playoff competition. When you're in that position, all of a sudden, let's get to the ring. Let's have some fun. Let's get on the ice. If you're not winning, then all of a sudden, you can't get far enough away from the ring. Well, it's a little different now too with, I kind of reflect on the schedule that has been laid out this year as well with the condensed schedule and the travel and the Olympic break. You see a lot of positive play and positive stretches of games put together based off of that confidence and that excitement and that joy of going to the ring and how that can snowball in a good way. Because there's not a lot of time in between games. As you know, as you travel and see these guys grind every single night,

6:09it's a lot easier to push through those aches and pains. And you have a little bit of extra positive juice because of how things are going. Yeah, well, you look at the playoffs either any, just getting the playoffs is a big plus for your team, obviously. You won't get by that first round if they pass them again. That's it, Minnesota's goal is this year. Get by that first round. And it's going to be tough in the center of the vision. There's no question about it. But you guys, I mean, you guys have put themselves in a good position with the confidence they have in each other right now to continue to goal. Yeah, I think what's exciting about our group is we've had, you know, obviously, quite a good stretch here now for a while, but the ability to stay in the moment. And the hunger of playoffs, yes, that's there. But the hunger of being at your best every single day is from what I've gathered. It's been the positive. It's a good thing to make sure you show up every day. You come to the rink as a pro and stay in the moment in front of you. And that's going to continue to lead the good things with your process. And that's it. You see in your division here, you know,

7:09I was at the game last night in Colorado with Dallas. And it's a, it was a playoff type atmosphere in that game last night. And as you truck along for standings and key points and the three point games, it's, it's a battle. Okay, yes, I thank you for being with us. Thank you, Tom. All right. We got the worst Kevin Fallon. It's just hiding down there someplace. We're through one period in St. Paul Wild Trail, the Blackhawks 1-0. Kevin Fallon is down by the wild locker room joined by Wild Forward Hunter 8. Hey, good to see you. My friend, I know you're not happy that you're down 1-0 after one period of play. But any day is a good day. You're back up in the NHL. When you find out you're going to be in the lineup. I found out this morning, after morning skate. So yeah, and it's good to be back up here. I'm sure how, how was the ice feeling after one period of play back up here first time in the NHL since January 20th? Yeah, I feel really good. I feel like my pace is there. And yeah, we just got to keep sacking. Should feel pretty well protected to at least for the time being, playing on that line with, with Nico Sturm on one side.

8:10Maybe you got Jakob training on the other, a couple of big boys out there. Yeah, big bodies and, you know, they're relentless on pox and on bodies. So yeah, it's been fun. Second round pick in 2022 by the Minnesota Wild, sixth game in the NHL, your second full year in pro hockey, 12 goals, 23 points and 43 games with the Iowa Wild. How are things coming along? Why did you get the call this time, Hunter? I heard John Hinds say they've had good reports from you and Iowa, the American athlete. What do you feel good about your game? Yeah, I feel like my details, I think they're, you know, they've gotten a lot better over the years. And, you know, those are the things that you need, that along with consistency, to make it to the NHL and get that call. So, yeah, feeling pretty good about my game. What do you want to see in the second period to get things back on the right track? You're only down 1-0, still anybody's game. Yeah, I think we just got to keep moving on the puck north quick, you know, that keeps us playing a fast game and, yeah, once you establish your fourth jacket, it creates

9:11havoc in their D zone, so keep going with that. Great to see you back up here, Hunter. Good luck you're the rest of the game. Thank you. There you go. Hunter, hey, for joining us in the intermission, we owe him a gift certificate down to Tom Reed's hockey city club. After one pre-to-play, the Wild Trail, the Blackhawks 1-0, quick break, we'll give you a recap. You're listening to Wildhockey, presented by Graham Cassini. For an extraordinary advantage in sports, you need a game plan. For an extraordinary advantage everywhere else, all you need is Acresher. With a high-tech human approach to insurance, cybersecurity and more, Acresher helps you take care of what you care about. That makes winning easy. See what Acresher's extraordinary advantage can do for you at Acresher.com.