Hot memories of Ottawa for Wild

The Minnesota Wild doesn't travel to Ottawa very often, but their most recent trip prior to today's visit was a memorable one -- for all the wrong reasons.

On Dec. 17, 2009, the day before their game, a blow torch left in a bag ignited and destroyed 95 percent of the Wild's gear.

Thanks to hard work from a pair of equipment managers, they were able to get back to Minnesota, round up enough gear and get back to Ottawa in time for the morning skate, which at least allowed the players a bit of practice time a chance to get used to their equipment.

"It's not the way you want to prepare for a game, but the trainers did an unbelievable job to even make this game possible," goalie Niklas Backstrom said following the loss. He was wearing replacement gear after most of his original equipment was burned in the fire.

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