WRIGLEYVILLE — Minnesota Wild fans in Chicago have a safe haven in Redmond's Ale House.
The bar, 3358 N. Sheffield Ave., is "Wild friendly," according to owner Thomas Piazza. Every time the Wild have scored a goal in this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs, bar employees fire a confetti cannon and play the team's official fight song.
Of course, local Wild backers haven't had much to celebrate so far in their club's Western Conference semifinal series against the Blackhawks, in which Chicago has won the first two games, outscoring Minnesota 9-3.
Game 3 is Tuesday at 8 p.m. in St. Paul as the Blackhawks seek their second straight league championship.
"It's going to be a fast series, I can tell you that much," said Piazza, a Sauganash native and Bucktown resident.
Piazza, a Luther North High School and Loyola University Chicago graduate, bought Redmond's 12 years ago when it already was a "Minnesota bar." During the NFL season, it's a Vikings hangout and it's evolved into a Wild fans favorite.
Piazza said about 20 to 25 Wild supporters have shown up for each Minnesota playoff game.
"Minnesota [fans] are my friends to the north," Piazza said. "They love their teams as much as we love ours."
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
