Wild plan Cancer-awareness event

The Minnesota Wild announcedThursday that the team will soon install lavender dasher boards at Xcel Energy Center, as part of its annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night, presented by AT&T, this Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings. The dashers will be installed Friday between 1-3 p.m. The Wild is one of five NHL teams participating in this initiative. Wild forward Cal Clutterbuck knows the value of Saturday's event. "Obviously we all have family members or friends whose lives have been affected by cancer," he noted, "so to be a part of something like this is very important for all of us. It really puts the game of hockey in perspective, that's for sure." Hockey Fights Cancer Night will highlight the special pediatric cancer guests the Wild has hosted in suites and donated seats, and who have taken part in memorable experiences like being a flag-bearer and bench buddies, as well as the month-long partnerships with local cancer organizations like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Fans will see the Wild coaching staff, management and broadcasters wearing lavender ties and HFC pins. Players will have HFC decals on their helmets, while several players will sport lavender tape on their sticks. Wild defenseman Nick Schultz says this is just a small gesture, "It is the least we can do," said Schultz. "Hopefully this event will help the many cancer-related charities raise more money for this great cause. I'm excited to see how our building will look, it will certainly be a unique-looking dasher." FS North will have all of the festivities covered, starting at 6:30 p.m. with Wild Live presented by Century Link. Saturday's game will be the first of back-to-back contests against the Red Wings, as the Wild travel to play in Detroit on Tuesday night.