Roadblogging: Minnesota

Hello everyone!

OkposoIsland checking in from the land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesota.

One of the original aims of this trip was to see Kyle and the UM Golden Gophers live at Mariucci Arena. As fate would have it, the Islanders and $2.55 million intervened. So Kyle won't be back in Minnesota on January 6th. He'll either be headed to Bridgeport, Connecticut or Long Island. As always, Okposo Net will let you know his destination as soon as we hear it.

Up here in the great white north they don't get FSNY; I had to follow the Islanders via ESPN.com. Boy, that is frustrating. Regardless, on Thursday night the Isles dropped a 4-3 overtime affair to the Florida Panthers. The good news is that the power play continued its sudden hot streak, adding another 2 power play goals to the 3 they scored on New Year's Eve in Carolina. Too bad it didn't translate into a win.

Switching gears, I thought I'd be able to watch a broadcast of the Minnesota Wild game here. Unfortunately, I am in front of a television that isn't getting the channel carrying it. Nevertheless, the Wild beat the "Team Formerly known as the Minnesota North Stars" 6-3. Okposo Net favorite Marian Gaborik had 2 goals for the victors.

This state *is* hockey obsessed though. Flipping around the dial I did find White Bear Lake playing Stillwater. Yes, those are Twin Cities-area HIGH SCHOOLS. In case you'd lost track of him (I certainly certainly had), former NHL standout Phil Housley is the coach of the Stillwater team. High school hockey on television...that's Minnesota.

A world away in the Czech Republic, Islanders prospect Tomas Marcinko ended his impressive tournament with another 2 assists, bringing his final total for the tourney to 6 points (2 G, 4A).

On Friday, Kyle and his American mates face their toughest test yet, battling Team Canada in a semifinal game at 2PM EST. Just to catch everyone up, Okposo has a goal and 4 assists so far. It should be a great day of hockey, with the US-Canada affair taking place right after Sweden vs. Russia concludes.

Good luck to Kyle and crew in the red, white, and blue.