Wilderness Walk for 12-22-2011: Game Day Edition

The news surrounding the Wild is not exactly good these days. Couple that with a visit with the favorite fan base of many of you, and tonight looks to be just a jolly good time. I'm devastated I have to miss it.

Today's Walk has some useful information, including a bit of reading about the WJC, which may come to serve as a much needed distraction from the Wild's woes. It just doesn't look like things are going to turn around until Koivu returns. Anyone who doubts that contract of his needs only to look at the past three games without him.

But as you all know, it isn't the loss of Koivu that got the Wild where they are. It is the unsustainable goaltending that hasn't changed, and the shot differentials that haven't changed. Yep. It's the constants that cause changes in equations, not the variables. Every math major knows that.

Wait...

Tending the Fields

First Round Bust: 2012 WJC: A Wild Fan's Guide To The World Junior Hockey Championships - For those not up on the WJC.

First Round Bust: 2012 WJC: Jason Zucker & Charlie Coyle Named To US Team - As expected.

Previewing the Wild Junior Championships | Jacques Lemaire's Trap - Another read about the WJC.

The Third Intermission: View from the Press Box - Texas 3, Aeros 2 - The Aeros seem to follow the tendencies of the parent club. It's actually rather odd.

The Third Intermission: Part One Of The Bikini Contest - The Aeros crowned the new Miss Aeros last night. They look cold.

The Third Intermission: And The Winner Is: The Bikini Contest Part Two - Crowning the winner.

Enemy News

Oilers notebook: Gagner to play against Wild despite latest injury - Always a good decision.

Off the Trail

Ex-Minnesota Wild Brent Burns assists injured Army veteran - TwinCities.com - This should surprise absolutely no one.