Wild Captain Koivu Stepping Up When It Matters
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- There's something to be said for coming up clutch, rising to the occasion when your team needs you most. Especially when you're the captain.
Mikko Koivu has now done that three times this series. With the eventual game-winner in game three, the game-tying goal Friday night late in the third and then the game-winner in overtime.
"It's always great when your captain rises to the occasion, especially with a tying goal, and then winning goal. Thought it said a lot," said Wild head coach John Torchetti. "Backs against the wall, that's what captains do. And that's how captains become great captains."
"Mikko was huge in that game. That's what you need out of your captain, to come up big in situations like that, so it was great to see," said Jordan Schroeder, Wild forward.
"When the game's on the line, I think every player wants to be there. And scoring goals and things like that," Koivu said.
Simply put, the Wild needs a lot out of its captain. And he's been delivering.
"I push my leaders harder than anyone. I've told him that since the first day I got here. I expect our leaders to be the measuring stick of our team," said Torchetti. "That's the bottom line. The team feeds off of the leaders in good times and bad times."
"For myself, it's all about doing things the right way day in and day out," Koivu said. "And I believe if you're able to do that, then you're able to play good as well."
