Nothing like a preseason shootout.
The Wild captured a 4-3 shootout win over the Winnipeg Jets Saturday night in front of the hometown fans -- though many were wearing Jets sweaters.
In the second preseason installment of this new rivalry, the X was filled with Jets fans who were plenty vocal.
"They were pretty loud," Zach Parise said. "There were a lot of fans."
Parise played in his first preseason game alongside top liners Mikko Koivu and Jason Pominville. Jonas Brodin and Ryan Suter played in their first game as well. There was some understandable first-game rust from the top grouping, who said it took a period or two to get back into game shape and used to the speed.
Parise tossed a nifty saucer pass to Suter for the game's tying goal that eventually sent it to overtime at 3-3.
Charlie Coyle scored the team's second goal and was the best player on the ice. He was all over the ice Saturday night and potted his goal on an open net off a loose puck.
"He was a horse," coach Mike Yeo said.
Equally important to his all-around game is his performance on the draw as he auditions for the second line center spot with Mikael Granlund. In the first two preseason games, Coyle won less than 40 percent of the faceoffs he took. But Saturday night, he won 80 percent of the 15 faceoffs he took. If he can even win 50 percent of them, he looks primed to take the second line center job or at least spend time there this season.
That said, Granlund had another nice game. Coming off a disappointing season last season, he's had a consistent camp and hasn't made it an easy decision for the Wild brass. As much as we've talked about position battles this season, it's worth noting, as Yeo did tonight, that the opening night roster is far from reflective of who will play every night for 82 games. Guys like Justin Fontaine and Erik Haula (and maybe even Nino Niederreiter), who played well again Saturday, are not just auditioning for a roster spot Oct. 3, but also to be in line for call-ups once the season gets going.
Anywho, I'm off tonight -- just wanted to swing by and see the game -- so I'm checking out early. Bruce Brothers will have more from the game and a story on Jared Spurgeon in tomorrow's paper. I'll be at (early) practice Sunday morning. Follow on Twitter for updates there.
The post Rapid reaction from the Wild's 4-3 preseason shootout win appeared first on Wild Now.
