Wild 2, Chicago 0

The Wild winger wrapped a goal, fight and an ejection into a 19-second span of the third period, enough to excite the fans and dispose of the pesky Blackhawks.

By Michael Russo, Star Tribune

Last update: April 12, 2006 - 12:19 AM

On Fan Appreciation Night, autographed sticks, jerseys and pucks were handed out repeatedly. The Wild even gave away an XM Satellite Radio with a 12-month subscription and a 17-foot Stratos 375 XF boat.

But all the 228th consecutive sellout crowd at Xcel Energy Center really wanted in this home finale was a measly goal.

Finally, midway through the third period, Stephane Veilleux -- make that (as strange as it sounds) red-hot Stephane Veilleux -- provided every ounce of entertainment in a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

In a span of 19 seconds, Veilleux scored his third goal in five games, engaged in the most entertaining scuffle in weeks and raised the roof to a deafening crowd after being booted from the game.

"It was priceless," said winger Marian Gaborik, almost hysterically laughing.

"Fan Appreciation Night -- it doesn't get any better than that," Nick Schultz added.

Fired up after skating into Brian Rolston's pass and beating Nikolai Khabibulin on an awe-inspiring breakaway goal, Veilleux grabbed Radim Vrbata out of a pile after 10 angry bodies came together behind the Wild net on the ensuing shift.

Veilleux, who broke his nose after being elbowed in the first period, became incensed when Vrbata face-washed him. Vrbata wanted no part of the fight, but Veilleux went to town anyway and drew a solo fighting major. The crowd, which had little reason to make a peep most of the night, roared as Veilleux waved his hands while skating to the bench. He then high-fived fans as he walked down the runway.

"Sometimes it's tough to control the emotions," Veilleux said. "I saw the crowd was standing and I just did it."

Wild coach Jacques Lemaire didn't like the showboating.

"You don't do that," Lemaire said. "First of all, he hasn't won the fight. The other guy didn't fight."

Vrbata said: "If he wants to fight like that, great. Good for him. Maybe he should fight some tougher guys."

Veilleux racked up 27 penalty minutes, but the Wild brilliantly killed off his five-minute major as rookie goaltender Josh Harding earned his first shutout in his second NHL start. Pierre-Marc Bouchard added an empty-net goal to help close the Wild's home record at 23-16-2.

"The fans have been so terrific all year, it's just nice to get that last home win," Rolston said.

Harding's reward for the 27-save shutout? A trip back to Houston on Friday so he can prepare for the American Hockey League's Calder Cup playoffs.

"It felt great. What a great feeling!" Harding said. "It's great to leave on a good note from Minnesota. They have the best fans in the world here. This game was for them."

In the first 50 minutes, the Wild couldn't buy a goal from Khabibulin, especially Gaborik, who couldn't add to his 37-goal total despite tremendous chances.

Of all people, Veilleux, always an energy bug but short on goals, found a way to knock down the Bulin Wall.

"It's a game where I have to play physical," Veilleux said. "To score at the same time, it's definitely a bonus."

Intensity, energy and grit, coupled with a goal once in a blue moon, is what the Wild expects from the 24-year-old.

"He is working as hard as before, but now he's sharper, he does more things with the puck and he's confident to make plays," Lemaire said.

Lemaire also was thrilled with the play of his defensemen, especially Schultz, although Lemaire was disturbed to learn the defenseman gave his stick to a young child after the game.

"[Schultz] had a good stick around the net and intercepting passes," Lemaire said. "I told him, 'Go find that kid and get that stick back. Give him another one. Give him two.' "

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