Gone Puck Wild
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Minnesota Wild: Hat Trick Secures Wild’s First Win of Preseason

By Cody Defoe

ST. PAUL, MN - MARCH 13: Nino Niederreiter #22 of the Minnesota Wild checks a member of the Colorado Avalanche during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on March 13, 2018 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - MARCH 13: Nino Niederreiter #22 of the Minnesota Wild checks a member of the Colorado Avalanche during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on March 13, 2018 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Wild
ST. PAUL, MN – MARCH 13: Minnesota Wild Left Wing Jason Zucker (16) skates with the puck during a NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche on March 13, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. The Avalanche defeated the Wild 5-1.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Minnesota Wild finally put a mark in the win column, with a 7-0 beat down of the Colorado Avalanche. We’ve got our top performers for the game.

There was no worry of a late game collapse in this one, as the Minnesota Wild scored the first goal and the flood gates opened from there.

By the time the final buzzer sounded to put the Colorado players out of their misery, there was a simple message to infer from this game: The Minnesota Wild are finding their stride.

Every line for the Wild scored at least one goal in this game, only 2 of the 12 forwards failed to record a point, and the 3 Defense currently guaranteed their roster spots all looked fantastic.

Now, to be fair, the lineup sent against us by Colorado was one with only about 3-4 skaters who are likely to be in the opening night roster on October 4th. I personally think we owe the Colorado coaches and management a thank you for this.

The Wild had looked lethargic in the preseason to this point. The fans were getting antsy and pessimistic watching the team throw games away late in the 3rd. Seeing what amounts to about 75% of the opening night roster blow up the scoreboard should ease some of those nerves.

It definitely eased the nerves of the players on the ice. Minnesota came into this game expecting to be dominant, and wanting to see a crisp and clean 60 minute effort from all 19 players on the ice.

They were absolutely dominant through all 3 periods. The team were a little sloppy in the first with missed passes, turnovers, and shots missing the goal through the first 10 minutes or so.

Colorado’s only sustained offensive attack came at the end of the 1st, following a Wild penalty. In the 2nd, the mistakes were cleaned up and the scorers went to work.

This should be a great boost for team morale, and lead to more sustained offense for the remainder of the preseason schedule. I’m personally excited to see us do it again against these same Avs in a couple weeks.

After every Minnesota Wild game I’m going to give my Top 3 Wild Performers of the game, and an honorary mention to the top performer of our opponent. I greatly appreciate any feedback you have on these recaps, and anything you’d like to see from them in the future.

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