I’ve become a Minnesota Wild fan. I admit it. It pains me to say that, because they spanked my favorite team 4-0 while I watched from the fourth row. And any time that happens to the Detroit Red Wings, you become a little bitter. Like a good Red Wings fan, I loathe Colorado. I still resent the New Jersey Devils for sweeping the Wings in 1995, their first trip to the Stanley Cup finals in 29 years.

But the magic of the hometown Wild and their rabid underdog effort has numbed that bitterness. Their stunning comeback against Colorado helped salve the shutout wound I nurse. Against the Canucks they’ve showed determination against a team that should be better. They’re a team of nobodies and cast-offs, a few veterans and rising stars, but no big names. Their trading cards would be worth the going rate for an average card. And they’ve got their own Pavel Datsyuk (my favorite Red Wing) in Marian Gaborik. Although like any team they can let you down (what is with blowing a two goal lead in the third and losing in overtime?!), they’re fun to watch. And they’re in the playoffs, and I must have my playoff hockey.

I’ve always said that Detroit is hockeytown. But Minnesota is the state of hockey, and that’s OK. Until the next time I’m in the fourth row.