Matt Cullen makes shootout decider as Minnesota Wild overtake St. Louis Blues 3-2 -NHL Match Update
Minnesota captain, Mikko Koivu, certainly had an outstanding performance to keep his team alive in the contest but it was Matt Cullen who made the game-winning shot during the shootout to allow the Wild to win and overtake the St. Louis Blues, 3-2, Saturday
night, November 19, 2011 at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States.
"He's a pretty good player," Wild head coach, Mike Yeo, said of Koivu’s performance during the match. "I thought he was outstanding. I thought he was really, really good last game too. As things went along, he was demanding the puck and making plays and
driving his feet. Real tough to defend and he did a heck of a job carrying it into today's game."
The Wild improved to the top position in the Western Conference with their 12-5-3 record and 27 points to back it up for the most in the league tied with the Chicago Blackhawks. Their upcoming games will certainly prove crucial in order to maintain the position
as the Blackhawks also look to take control.
David Backes scored the opening goal of the night a little over midway through the first period. Surprisingly, the initial 20 minutes passed by without a single penalty, until the second period came around.
Cal Clutterbuck was sent to the benches 1:49 into the second period for charging, which put Minnesota on a vulnerable position, but it did not affect Mikko Koivu, who was determined to score and did shorthanded nearly a minute later.
T.J. Oshie gave St. Louis the lead once again 6:07 into the third and final period of regulation for his sixth of the season but Koivu answered back at the 18:22 mark, just when it looked as Minnesota had given up, to force a overtime extension.
Koivu potted the first shootout goal, followed by Oshie, but Cullen’s tie-breaker proved to be the last successful attempt as Minnesota took the match.
"He gives us a chance to win every game because of the way he plays the game, and it's great to see him get rewarded", Yeo added.
Minnesota looks to stay hot for their fifth straight win when they face off against the Nashville Predators at home on Wednesday while St. Louis has the nest at home against the Los Angeles Kings.
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