Minnesota Wild Prospects Fall To Dallas In Shootout

Apr 9, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (25) against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Wild prospects team lost to the Dallas Stars Prospects by a 2-1 final in a shootout. On Monday the squad lost again, this time to the New York rangers by a 5-2 final. These mark the third and fourth losses for the Wild in the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City Michigan.  Wild goal tender Johan Gustafsson faced 42 Dallas shots turning aside 41 through regulation and overtime.  One unique feature of OT in this tournament is a three on three overtime period following a 4 on 4 session.  The Wild struck first in the game on a goal by Raphael Bussieres in the second period.  Gustafsson kept the Stars off the board until 7 minutes had elapsed in the third.  The score would remain knotted at a goal apiece through the rest of the third period, 4 on 4 and 3 on 3 overtime periods.  Alex Chiasson scored the game winner in the shootout for Dallas.  The Wild were out shot 42 to 28 for the game and finished the night with a loss to go to o and 3 in the win/loss column for the tournament.  After a day off on Sunday, the Wild jumped out to a 2-0 lead against the Rangers then gave up 5 unanswered goal to finish the Prospects Tournament with a 0-3-1 record.   Alexandre Belanger got the start in the fourth game for the Wild and allowed 4 goals on 19 shots. The final goal scored by the Rangers was an empty netter with less than a minute left on the clock in the third period.  Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr, quoted on Wild.con, said, ““We wanted to give our young goalie a chance to get into the game as well,” Flahr said of Belanger getting the start. “He really didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just an opportunity to see some of these tryouts and place a lot of different guys in different situations.”  Flahr, speaking about Mathew Dumba said, “Dumba really stood out in every game he’s played in,” Flahr said. “His mobility, poise and his ability to move the puck, to deke and shoot, it is what it is. He clearly came here with a mindset and wanted to make a positive impression. He did that.” For 15 of the prospects skating for the Wild in the tournament the focus now turns to the NHL and the Minnesota Wild’s training camp that opens later this week. Some of the players with a shot at making the Wild team out of training camp include, Mathew Dumba, Brett Bulmer, Raphael Bussieres, and Erik Haula.  For a full list of the prospects invited to training camp click HERE. Gone Puck Wild.com will be with you each step of the way as the Wild training camp gets under way and the roster goes from 51 to the opening night roster of 23.  There are several prospects who have a shot at making the opening night roster and several others who will start the season skating with the Wild’s AHL affiliate the Iowa Wild.  This should be an interesting camp with lots of competition for the few open slots on the roster.  Until nest time this is Scott Drain shouting, “Let’s Go Wild!!”