Recap: Minnesota vs. Columbus
Sports Network | November 15, 2008
St. Paul, MN (Sports Network) - Marek Zidlicky scored the game-winner in the shootout as the Minnesota Wild downed the Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-2, at Xcel Energy Center.
Minnesota's second shooter, Zidlicky skated in on net and fired a wrister over the glove of Steve Mason. After Derick Brassard lost the puck while stickhandling on his shot attempt, Antti Miettinen sealed the win with a wrister between the pads of Mason.
Erik Reitz and Benoit Pouliot each scored in regulation for the Wild, who have won three of their last four. Niklas Backstrom made 24 saves in the win.
Rick Nash and Kristian Huselius each lit the lamp while Mason stopped 28 shots in the loss for the Blue Jackets, who have dropped two of three.
With the score tied in the third period, the Wild took the lead just 1:48 into the frame as Reitz's slap shot from the right point deflected off the skate of a Columbus player and got past Mason for a 2-1 advantage.
However, Nash tied the game at the 7:20 mark of the third as he stripped James Sheppard of the puck in the Minnesota end and then backhanded a shot into the right corner of the net.
The game remained scoreless for the rest of the period and overtime to force the shootout.
Minnesota drew first blood with a power-play goal as Eric Belanger fired a shot from the right circle that Mason stopped, but Pouliot was there to slam home the rebound with 2:24 left in the first.
However, the Blue Jackets tied the game with just 31 ticks left on the first- period clock as Huselius swept the puck into the net from the left side on a broken play.
A scoreless second period saw Backstrom make eight saves while Mason stopped seven shots.
The goal was the first of Reitz's career...Columbus hosts Edmonton on Tuesday...Minnesota plays in Pittsburgh on Tuesday...Minnesota has won four straight and five of six against Columbus...Minnesota went 1-for-3 on the power play while Columbus failed to score on its only man advantage.
