Minnesota Wild skate way into AMSOIL Arena for open practice

The Minnesota Wild wrapped up preseason play Saturday, then took a trip up to Duluth for a pretty Wild day Tuesday. During the afternoon they hosted an open practice at the home of University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) Bulldog hockey, AMSOIL Arena.

Signing autographs and waving at about 1000 fans, the players said they had as much fun as the crowd.

"It’s great to be in this arena," Wild left wind Marcus Foligno said. "I heard a lot about it from the Minnesota guys playing here, and then the rivalry and things like that, so it’s a great arena, great facility. It was the most offensive practice we’ve ever had, so I felt like Kirill out there, it felt really good."

The last time the Wild hosted practice in Duluth following training camp in September 2015. Big names like Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Dumba, and Foligno were those present this time around.

Joining them was a man familiar with skating at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), Grand Rapids native and former University of Minnesota Gopher Alex Goligoski.

"We played some games here," Goligoski recalled. "It’s always fun coming here. I always loved Duluth and it’s always fun having that energy in the building. It was kind of a fun day for us and the fans to come out to see us play up here, it was fun."

The Wild will open their regular season Friday in Anaheim. Puck drop against the Ducks is set for 9pm.