Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom shines in shutout victory
Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom was perfect stopping all 36 shots which he faced to lead his team to a 1-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, 2 November.
How it happened
San Jose dominated the play through the opening period and were leading in shots by 18-4 margin before the Wild converted a two-man advantage midway through the second period. Martin Havlat made a perfect
pass through the crease to Andrew Brunette at the far side of the net to fire home. The goal was Brunette's third of the season and all that the Wild would need to get the win.
From there Minnesota were in lock-down mode and did well keeping the Sharks big guns off the board and helping Backstrom earn the 20th shutout of his career.
What they're saying
Backstrom who had a tremendous individual performance was not about let himself take all the credit. "All over the ice, we played a smart game. We're playing some good hockey, and we have to keep building
like this."
The Wild managed to capitalize on the slightest opportunity which ended up being the difference in the game. Sharks defenceman Dan Boyle, who was on the ice at the time, commented on the winning goal.
"We gave them too much time. A player's going to find a seam there, and they found it twice. It's something we've got to look at and not give a guy that
much time. But it's really a tough play for everybody."
Sharks captain Joe Thornton, at 31 years of age, is used to seeing games like that on Tuesday night end the way they sometimes do.
"Some nights you throw 35 at the goalie and you get four, some nights you get zero," he said. "It's not frustrating. It's just the way hockey goes."
What it all means
The Sharks top line of Thornton, Marleau, and Heatley, who had been on a recent tear, were silenced on Tuesday night, as the Sharks had won four of their last five games. Their only loss over that spell
was another shutout – at the hands of the Calgary Flames. They're going to be running into another hot goalie in the form of St. Louis Blues goaltender Jaroslav Halak whom they face on Thursday, 4 November. Only the Boston Bruins, led by Tim Thomas, have given
up fewer goals so far this season than the Blues.
The Wild had lost their previous five games against the Sharks and should be delighted to see that streak come to an end. The Wild (5-4-2) now get set to face the Calgary Flames on Friday night.
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