NHL Update – Minnesota Wild lose to Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 after shootout
The NHL Pre-season’s 60th game saw Minnesota Wild up against Columbus Blue Jackets. This was both teams’ 5th game of the preseason and was played at Nationwide Arena, home of CBJ.
The first period of the match saw both teams coming up with regular goal attempts. Neither of them was able to form a tight defense. The period’s first part was largely dominated by Columbus Blue Jackets, who managed to pile up as many as 4 shots within
a minute. From then onwards, they decided to concentrate more on the defense while Minnesota Wild looked to grab any counter attack opportunity.
Both teams looked content on not giving the other any chance to score and this resulted in the period being less exciting for some fans. Although, both teams put their feet on gas also but still the period ended goalless. Minnesota Wild made 11 goal attempts
while Columbus Blue Jackets had 7 attempts. As they came out for second period, the more than eleven thousand fans present in the arena urged them to score.
This was exactly what Minnesota Wild did as with the first play of the period they finally scored. The goal was a result of an excellent shot by Matt Cullen from 15 feet. Immediately afterwards, Minnesota pushed for another goal but weren’t able to pass
through the Columbus Blue Jackets’ defense this time. Still, with constant long range shots and good passing they managed to score yet again through Eric Naystorm. Their second goal came when the puck dropped in front of Naystorm’s stick after a long range
shot by John Madden. This put them in a comfortable position with a 2-0 score in favor of the away team.
Meanwhile, Columbus Blue Jackets succeeded in scoring their first goal during the final moments of second period. They scored through Nikita Filatov’s 22 feet snap off shot and made the score 2-1. Both teams managed 11 goal attempts each at the end of second
period. With the Jackets trailing by just one goal, the final period promised to be an exciting one. The home team came on the field with high spirits and attacking looks. They kept constant pressure on Minnesota Wild’s defense and managed to score again in
the eleventh minute.
This time, the goal came as a result of the 51-feet superb shot by Nick Holden which tied the score at 2-2. But after this none of the teams was able to score again. This led the match into overtime but again both teams couldn’t attack the opposing goal
with much force. This then resulted in the overtime also ending goalless. Both teams managed three goal attempts each out of which none went to the back of the net.
The game then went into a shoot out where K. Huselius missed the shot for the Minnesota Wilds and resultantly, they lost the match. Later, Wild’s captain, Mikko Koivu expressed disappointment on losing the game despite being in a good position.
Tags: