Gone Puck Wild
Fansided

Minnesota Wild Start Western Canadian Road Trip with Win in Vancouver

By Jonathan Brill

ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 20: Devan Dubnyk #40 of the Minnesota Wild defends the net against the Montreal Canadiens during 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: Devan Dubnyk #40 of the Minnesota Wild defends the net against the Montreal Canadiens during 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next

More of the Same in the Second Period

ST PAUL, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 05: Marcus Foligno #17 of the Minnesota Wild celebrates his goal against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Xcel Energy Center on January 5, 2020, in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 05: Marcus Foligno #17 of the Minnesota Wild celebrates his goal against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Xcel Energy Center on January 5, 2020, in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

The Wild started off the period with a 4 on 4.  With an abbreviated power play, the Wild failed to extend their lead.  Directly after the power play, Fiala set up Parise on what looked like a no doubt go-ahead goal to make it 2-0.  However, Parise was unable to gather the puck.  Moments after Quinn Hughes and Jay Beagle entered the Wild zone on a 2-on-1 and Beagle tapped one under Dubnyk’s glove.  With multiples chances to extend the lead to 2-0, the tables were instantly turned and momentum was pushed back to Vancouver.

The Wild went back and forth sharing chances with Vancouver.  Eriksson Ek was gloved down by Markstrom and Dubnyk copied the move on Pettersson.  Zuccarello had a point-blank opportunity in the second period, but he chose to circle the net and look for a pass.  After circling the net Zuccarello tried to dump the puck back down to the corner.  The try was unsuccessful and resulted in a costly turnover.  Directly following the turnover Brodin was called for a tripping minor on Calder Trophy-hopeful Quinn Hughes.

After a successful Wild penalty kill, Brad Hunt skated the puck into the offensive zone for the Wild.  Circling the net, Hunt tossed some sauce to Kunin breaking for the net.  Kunin was able to get a shot off that looked like it was trapped between Markstrom’s legs.  Seconds later Kunin’s hands went toward the sky as the puck slowly trickled between Markstrom’s legs and over the red line.

Brad Hunt was on the ice for a 1:51 shift leading up to Kunin’s goal.  Galchenyuk had himself a great second period.  Hands down his best game as a member of the Wild.  He was calm on pucks and his positioning in the defensive zone caused problems for Vancouver.  The Wild walked into the locker room with a 2-1 lead going into the daunting third period.  Would we see yet another Wild third-period letdown?

Home/Wild News