MLB Front Page
NBA Front Page
NHL Front Page
NFL Front Page
The Minnesota Wild outplayed the Colorado Avalanche to win 3-2 in a shootout Saturday at the Pepsi Center in the second game of a home-and-home series.
Mikko Koivu and Andrew Ebbett scored for the Wild (10-12-3) in the shootout and Josh Harding stopped Marek Svatos and Wojtek Wolski for the win.
The Wild outshot the Avalanche 36-22 and controlled play for most of the game. The Wild was clearly the better team for the second consecutive game against the Division-leading Avalanche (14-8-5).
The Wild’s comeback began when Eric Belanger intercepted a pass at center ice and beat Craig Anderson with a slap shot while on a 2-on-1 rush just 57 seconds into the second period.
Guillaume Latendresse scored his first goal as a member of the Wild to tie the game with a one-timer in the slot off a rebound from a bad-angle shot by Owen Nolan at the 11:14 mark of the third period. Kyle Brodziak pick up the second assist on the goal.
The Avalanche jumped out to a 2-0 lead after one period with goals by former St. Cloud State Husky Matt Hendrick and rookie Matt Duchene.
Duchene’s power play goal was argued after the Wild felt Avalanche forward David Jones tripped Harding as he went to the front of the net. Replays showed, however, that it was Kim Johnsson’s stick that tripped Harding. The question is, did Jones interfere with Johnsson to force him so close to Harding?
Both teams had one goal disallowed, the Avalanche for a puck knocked in with a high stick and the Wild with a puck knocked in with a glove hand.
No. 3 Star: Guillaume Latrendesse. The Wild wing tied the game midway through the third period that forced the extra session.
No. 2 Star: Eric Belanger. The Wild center started the comeback with an interception and blast past the Avalanche goaltender.
No. 1 Star: Josh Harding. The Wild goaltender earned his first win of the season with 20 saves that included a shorthanded breakaway glove save. He also stopped both shootout shooters.
