Michael Russo's short takes: Jan. 6

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: January 5, 2008 - 2:35 PM

Taking the Wild outdoors?

The New Year's Day snowy outdoors game between Pittsburgh and Buffalo was a smashing success, and it's something the Wild hopes to bring to Minnesota.

"There is a place, but it's not up yet," General Manager Doug Risebrough said, referring to the Gophers' new football stadium due in 2009.

Coach Jacques Lemaire loved watching from the comfy confines of his couch, especially when he saw how bundled up the coaches were.

"You can't warm up except if you run up and down the bench," Lemaire said.

Rookie Blues defenseman Erik Johnson, who hails from Bloomington, said, "When I was 7 years old until about 15, that's about all everyone does in Minnesota in the winter."

Red line error

Wild forward Pavol Demitra said the NHL erred when it removed the red line in terms of two-line passes.

"Now everybody stays behind the red line," Demitra said. "Nobody tries to play hockey anymore. They tried it in Europe and it didn't work there, so we bring it here? How many breakaways you see a game? Everybody just backs up."

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