Minnesota Wild Win an Important Game against Montreal Canadiens

ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 20: Brad Hunt #77 of the Minnesota Wild celebrates scoring a power play goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of the game at Xcel Energy Center on October 20, 2019 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Wild defeated the Canadiens 4-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 20: Brad Hunt #77 of the Minnesota Wild celebrates scoring a power play goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of the game at Xcel Energy Center on October 20, 2019 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Wild defeated the Canadiens 4-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
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Period One

SAINT PAUL, MN – OCTOBER 20: (L-R) Jared Spurgeon #46, Jason Zucker #16 and Mikko Koivu #9 of the Minnesota Wild celebrate after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on October 20, 2019, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAINT PAUL, MN – OCTOBER 20: (L-R) Jared Spurgeon #46, Jason Zucker #16 and Mikko Koivu #9 of the Minnesota Wild celebrate after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on October 20, 2019, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)

The best period of hockey the Minnesota Wild have played this season. Great forechecking. Solid puck movement. Kevin Fiala’s best period of hockey all season. Good, solid play in their defensive zone.*

Ryan Hartman was the living embodiment of the style of play this period.

Started with a tough blocked shot against Shea Weber.

Shea Weber did this to Joel Eriksson Ek Thursday.

Ryan Hartman would then catch a stick in his mouth resulting in a double minor power play for the Minnesota Wild.

Jason Zucker, following up his “controversial” quote post-game Thursday, did this

https://twitter.com/HeresYourReplay/status/1186030950368600065

Jordan Greenway-Eric Staal-Kevin Fiala each had strong periods despite being kept off the score sheet. Forced the Canadiens to take a penalty.*

Carson Soucy put a strong slapshot on the net that produced a huge rebound that Gabriel Dumont (Minnesota Wild debut) just missed on it. The puck was on edge, if it’s flat it’s a 2-0 game.

Power Play specialist Brad Hunt also played perfect defense on a Nick Suzuki breakaway.

To end the period, the Minnesota Wild would get another man advantage, but the best opportunity was on a spectacular no-look cross-ice pass from Mikko Koivu to Jared Spurgeon that Keith Kinkaid (has two K’s, not a K and a C by the way) stonewalled.

That period was fun! Let’s continue it in the second.*

*reminder Montreal played Saturday*