The State Of Hockey has Caught Wild Fever [AUDIO]

ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Wild are in Chicago tonight (Friday) for game 1 of their second round playoff series with the Blackhawks. Tonight's game starts at 8:30 p.m. Game 2 is on Sunday at 2:00 p.m., also in Chicago.

The Wild's first home game in the series is on Tuesday night. Spokesman Wayne Peterson says they're planning a big pre-game party at Xcel Energy Center.

Peterson says tickets for Game 3 on Tuesday at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul go on sale tomorrow (Saturday) morning.

This is the first time the Wild have advanced to the second round of the playoffs since 2003. The Blackhawks eliminated the Wild in five games in the first round of the playoffs last year.

Peterson says merchandise sales have been brisk.

Interest in Wild hockey has been huge. Their game seven win over the Colorado Avalanche was the highest rated telecast ever in Fox Sports North history. The previous record rating for the TV network was a Twins versus Chicago White Sox game in August of 2010.

Wild Hockey can also be heard on our sister station AM 1390 The FAN.