SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE

Marco Scandella has indeed been recalled by the Wild;

Trying to find out if Jared Spurgeon (foot) has been placed on injured reserve, meaning at the very minimum, he cannot play vs. Columbus at home on Tuesday, OR if Matt Dumba is being returned to Red Deer. He is not skating today but still here.

But Scandella has to be squeezed onto the roster by one of those moves. Matt Cullen is on the ice.

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The Houston Aeros won its third consecutive game tonight with a 5-2 pounding of Grand Rapids on the road. It was their second straight night winning in that building.

Charlie Coyle scored twice, Johan Larsson, Nick Palmieri and David McIntyre once, Chay Genoway and Justin Fontaine had two assists apiece and Darcy Kuemper made 33 saves. Jason Zucker had an assist and now deservedly heads to Providence for the AHL All-Star Game.

The one player nowhere to be found in tonight's Houston lineup? Defenseman Marco Scandella.

My gut says he was scratched because he is on his way to join the Wild here in St. Louis.

First, he returned in Friday's 1-0 win from a five-week groin injury and by all accounts played well with a plus-1 and three shots.

Second, the entire Minnesota Wild front office is somehow missing in action tonight when it comes to responding to my incessant queries.

The Wild's at 23 players, so the only way to fit Scandella onto the roster is to: 1) Place Jared Spurgeon (foot) on injured reserve retroactive to last Tuesday (that would mean he would have to miss Tuesday's game against Columbus as well); 2) return Matt Dumba to Western Hockey League Red Deer, which after being scratched in four consecutive games to start the season, is clearly going to happen at some point; 3) Place Matt Cullen on injured reserve, which is unlikely because he would have to miss a week, coach Mike Yeo says he simply got practice off Saturday and expects him to play against St. Louis and because the Wild didn't call up a forward.

Regardless, my money is on Scandella suddenly making an appearance here in St. Louis on Sunday morning.

Who's he play for if he arrives? My guess is Nate Prosser. It's obviously not for Ryan Suter, Tom Gilbert or Jonas Brodin. Clayton Stoner was one of the Wild's best defensemen the first 3 games and after Saturday's practice, Yeo said he feels Justin Falk has played some good hockey and he hasn't been happy with Prosser's past two games.

We shall see.

The Blues won 4-3 at Dallas this evening. Niklas Backstrom vs. Brian Elliott in St. Louis' sixth game in nine nights.

Talk to you Sunday.