One highlight of the game was the play of forward Kyle Wanvig. Wanvig was strong on the puck Tuesday, drawing two penalties on Canucks players while holding the puck behind the net in the offensive zone. His ability to work with the puck is improving and should become a great asset when Mikko Koivu returns to the lineup to center his line.
Minnesota now goes on the road for the front end of a home-and-home series with Columbus. They will be back at the X Saturday night.
ROBITAILLE TAKING UNTIMELY PENALTIES
Minnesota went on the power play midway through the second period, but just 8 seconds in, the man advantage was negated when Randy Robitaille was whistled for hooking off the faceoff. This was not the first such infraction for Robitaille, who was brought in off waivers from Nashville. Robitaille was brought in to be a specialist on the power play, but all he has done so far is negate Wild power plays. In nine games he has one goal, four assists, and 16 penalty minutes. With Derek Boogaard continuing to improve, along with Kyle Wanvig, Robitaille needs to elevate his level of play, or he could find himself on waivers if the Wild ever finds itself with a fully healthy roster.
BOOGAARD IMPROVING
Derek Boogaard continues to elevate his game. In eight short weeks Boogaard has gone from a goon with little shot of making the roster to a legitimate skater who can carry the puck in the offensive zone and create scoring chances. Boogaard’s strong work ethic and nonstop motor are quickly making him a cult favorite among Wild fans. If he continues to progress as quickly as he has so far this season, he could see some time on the power play.
VEILLEUX STRUGGLING
One player NOT enjoying much success this season is Stephane Veilleux. In ten games, Veilleux has yet to record a point, and is a –7. Aside from Andrei Nazarov who has only played two games so far this season, Veilleux is the only Wild forward without a point.
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Injuries take toll on home team
The Minnesota Wild fell to the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday night by a score of 3-1. Minnesota hung tough with the Canucks in the first period, finishing the frame tied at 1-1. Minnesota’s goal came on a laser shot by Alexander Daigle from the right faceoff circle. The power play goal was assisted by Andrei Zyuzin and Pierre-Marc Bouchard.
Vancouver was too much for the depleted Wild to handle though. Without the likes of Marian Gaborik, Pascal Dupuis, Filip Kuba and Alex Henry in the lineup, the team just couldn’t hang with a very deep and talented Canucks squad. Seldom used players such as Andrei Nazarov, Daniel Tjarnqvist and Scott Ferguson saw extensive ice time and showed their rust, drawing several penalties and generally lowering the Wild’s standard of play. Down by two goals in the third, Minnesota spent much of the period killing penalties instead of trying to get back into the game. It was too much to overcome.
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