Wild Fall to Penguins 3-2 in OT: Game Recap

Last season, the Wild were 1-1 against the Metropolitan Division champions. Tonight, despite missing their stars, the Penguins squeezed out a win as the Wild fall to Penguins in the extra frame.

First Period Thoughts:

As with earlier this week, the Wild came out rolling against a Pittsburgh squad that was without Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. The opening lineup of Thomas Vanek– Mikko Koivu– Justin Fontaine was buzzing through most of the first period. Penguins goalkeeper Jeff Zatkoff Managed to keep all five shots by the Wild at bay, despite several glaring turnovers by the Penguins.

After Mathew Dumba took a tripping penalty, the Wild were assessed a bench penalty for too many men on the ice (served by Erik Haula.) This led to a 5 on 3 for the Pens. The Wild penalty kill looked good, with Marco Scandella creating a two-on-one shorthanded bid; however, veteran Penguin blueliner Paul Martin broke up the rush and found Marcel Goc. Goc set up Beau Bennett who passed to forward Brandon Sutter after faking a shot that hooked Darcy Kuemper. Sutter then blasted a wrister in to a wide open goalmouth, putting the Pens up 1-0 12:35 in to the first. Kuemper otherwise looked good through the first.

First period shots: Wild 5, Penguins 9

Second Period Thoughts:

It didn’t take long for the Wild to answer with a power play goal of their own. After Pens defenseman Simon Despres took a tripping penalty just 17 seconds in to the second frame, Thomas Vanek potted his first goal as a member of the Minnesota Wild, re-directing Mikko Koivu‘s shot from the faceoff dot past Jeff Zatkoff, tying the game 1-1 at 00:33.

The second period ended rather quietly, with the exception of Jason Zucker fighting the much larger Despres after

Sep 25, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise (11) scores past Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Jeff Zatkoff (37) during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

the referee’s missed a few obvious infractions by the Pens. I get sticking up for yourself, but fighting isn’t really in Zucker’s wheelhouse.

Shots through two periods: Wild 12, Penguins 15

Third Period Thoughts:

After a quiet opening to the third, in which Christian Folin took a Minor penalty that the Wild killed off with ease, the Zach Parise– Mikael Granlund– Jason Pominville line found its first goal of the year. Granlund sped in to the offensive zone and camped out behind the net, fed Parise at the goalmouth for a tap-in goal, putting the wild up 2-1 at 7:12 of the 3rd frame.

With veteran keeper Ilya Bryzgalov in to relieve Kuemper for the third frame, the Penguins capitalized on an opportunity to tie the game. Just 17 seconds after the Wild took the lead, Penguins rookie Oskar Sundqvist wristed home a juicy rebound from Bryzgalov. 2-2 Penguins at 07:26 of the 3rd.

Despite an attempt by both teams to end the game in the 3rd, the game was destined for extra frames. But hey, free hockey right?

Shots through regulation: Wild 18, Penguins 22

Overtime:

The Penguins dominated overtime, with not much positive light to shed. While the Wild failed to register a shot on goal in the extra frame, the Penguins converted on their 5th shot on goal. 2:23 in, Sutter tallied his second goal of the night, a Backhander from the point that beat Bryzgalov. Game over. Wild fall to Penguins 3-2 and are now 0-1-1 in pre-season action. Bryzgalov, still on his Pro Tryout has looked shaky through two games and roughly 60 minutes of play. Last night, he was 10/12 for a save percentage of 0.833. More on that this afternoon.

Game over. Wild fall to Penguins 3-2

My Wild Three Stars:

1st Star: Darcy Kuemper: Kuemps looked good, and not just because of his new mask. He went 14/15 for a stellar 0.933 save percentage. His one goal allowed was hardly his fault. This is pre-season hockey against a Penguins team without Crosby. Despite this, we should be happy for the young minder who looks promising.

2nd Star: Zach Parise: Parise, who earned the NHL’s 3rd star of the game, registered 1 goal on 1 shot and was a plus 1 in 19:13 of ice time. I really like the Parise Granlund Pominville line and I’m excited for more as they make their way to the X for saturday.

3rd Star: Matt Dumba: With all the praise and attention seeming to be aimed at Folin, Dumba played well tonight. Despite taking a penalty that ultimately set up the Penguins first goal, he led the Wild in time on ice with 24:49, assisted on Vanek’s power play goal, and blocked one shot.

Who was your Wild star? Let us know who and why in the comments below!

Home/Wild News