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Wild's Kobasew breaks out in big way against Avs

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The Wild forward gave a first-rate performance, connecting for a hat trick while subbing on the first line.

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: November 28, 2009 - 9:32 AM

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WILD 5, COLORADO 3

Up next: vs. Colorado • 8 p.m. Saturday • Pepsi Center • TV: FSN (830-AM)

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The old adage in pro sports is you don't lose your spot because of an injury, but it doesn't say anything about illness.

When Antti Miettinen returns from a bout with the flu, he might have a hard time unhinging Chuck Kobasew from the Wild's top line after Kobasew caused hats to litter the ice during Friday's 5-3 victory over Colorado.

When GM Chuck Fletcher traded for Kobasew last month, it's safe to say he didn't take into account Kobasew's knack for munching on the rival Avalanche. Kobasew's hat trick was actually the second of his career against Colorado.

After a tough start this season in Boston, Kobasew, a three-time 20-goal scorer, said: "It's nice to get the hat trick, but also to contribute. It's been a while since I've been able to contribute offensively."

Kobasew became only the fifth Wild player to record a hat trick. The Wild has had 14, but Marian Gaborik had nine and the last one (a five-goal game against the Rangers), on Dec. 20, 2007.

Mikko Koivu assisted on three goals, including Andrew Brunette's winner on a third-period power play after Kobasew drew a slashing minor. Koivu skated out from behind the net, stretched and prettily backhanded a cross-crease pass to Brunette's back door.

"Good players are going to make good plays, and good plays usually end up in the back of your net," Avs goalie Craig Anderson said.

During a highly entertaining game, the Wild worked hard, played physically and actually overcame an uncharacteristically sloppy game from goalie Niklas Backstrom.

Backstrom made some outstanding saves, and 31 in all, but everything was an adventure. He dropped pucks, had trouble controlling rebounds and continually lost his net.

"It was tough," Backstrom said. "It's a skilled team. You look at the forwards. They're good behind the net and seem to create a lot of traffic. It's a big challenge for you."

Maybe Backstrom had too much Thanksgiving turkey and gravy. Or, as coach Todd Richards said, maybe it was the matinee. Usually players take naps in the afternoon, so Richards said, "You're not used to thinking and doing things at 1 o'clock in the afternoon."

After Kyle Quincey's early goal, Owen Nolan, the former Quebec/Colorado first overall pick, tied it off a Greg Zanon rebound.

Then, after Kobasew nailed Quincey with a big hit, Kobasew drove the net and roofed Derek Boogaard's backhanded pass. When Boogaard's first point since Dec. 19, 2008, was announced, the crowd erupted with "Boooooooogs!"

Paul Stastny tied it on a power play, but Kobasew got the lead back by completing a tic-tac-toe from Koivu and Brunette on a power play.

"They control the play so well, you just have to find those pockets," Kobasew said.

After Chris Stewart tied it at 3-3, the Avs nearly took the lead late in the second when TJ Galiardi threw the puck into the crease. The puck rolled on edge along the goal line, but Galiardi knocked it backward instead of forward, allowing Backstrom to smother it.

"We don't beat down enough on that puck," Avalanche coach Joe Sacco said.

It was a huge turning point because Brunette scored his team-leading ninth goal, and sixth on the power play, in the third. Kobasew iced the game with an empty-netter after a great rim-out by Zanon and pass from Koivu.

"I had two or three really good ones in the third period that I didn't get," Kobasew said. "I don't know, when you try to get that third one, maybe you grip it a little tight."

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