Koivu cashes in after Veilleux's big check

The elusive Wild forward scored the decisive goal, but his unsung teammate created the opportunity by forcing a turnover.

By Michael Russo, Star Tribune

Last update: October 24, 2007 - 1:02 AM

You won't find Stephane Veilleux's name listed inside today's boxscore.

Technically, Mikko Koivu's tremendous individual effort to give the Wild two points Sunday night and the Colorado Avalanche zero was unassisted.

But make no mistake, Koivu's goal, which gave the Wild a 3-2 victory during a rare home game sandwiched between long road trips, was as assisted as winners get.

It was Veilleux's hard check on defenseman Brett Clark that forced a turnover and seconds later aided in Koivu's winner with 3 minutes, 4 seconds left, a goal that lifted the Western Conference-leading Wild to its best start in franchise history (eight consecutive games with a point, 7-0-1).

"That's what I have to do, eh?" said the always unsung Veilleux. "Every time I can finish a guy on the forecheck and create a loose puck in the offensive zone, it can result in that type of play."

It was a dramatic finish for the Wild, which watched a 2-0 lead courtesy of Mark Parrish and Brian Rolston power-play goals disappear in a two-minute stretch of the second period.

But as has been the norm, the Wild played a strong third period, despite losing left winger Pavol Demitra because of a strained right adductor. He's day-to-day and will be re-evaluated today.

In eight games, the Wild has outscored opponents 7-1 in the third.

"Just before the third, I told the guys, 'Hey, third period is ours. We've been playing well. Let's keep doing it. Let's go and get the game,'" coach Jacques Lemaire said.

With both teams seemingly playing for overtime, the Wild finally broke through late. Moments after defenseman Kim Johnsson rimmed the puck around the boards, Veilleux hammered Clark into the glass. Along the right-wing wall, the puck deflected off Koivu's head and onto his stick.

As Koivu motored out of the corner, Clark, still shaking off the Veilleux hit, was adjusting his helmet. Koivu sped free of Paul Stastny, and instead of skating around the net, Koivu stepped in front and shot since Clark wasn't around.

"I thought I had it covered," goalie Peter Budaj said. He didn't.

"I had the opportunity to take it to the net and just wanted to try it," Koivu said of his third goal in five games.

Rolston said: "Taking the puck and just driving the net, that's why Mikko's as good as he is. He's been plenty terrific for us."

After the Wild survived four Colorado power plays in the first period thanks to Niklas Backstrom's goaltending, the Wild's power play connected twice in the second with former Gopher Jordan Leopold in the box.

While giving the Wild a 1-0 lead, Parrish looked like a center posting up on the basketball court. He lost defenseman Kurt Sauer and got the puck from Marian Gaborik while alone in front of Budaj. With his back to the net, Parrish slid the puck to the right and whipped a backhanded goal.

"Great play by Gabby and Demitra," Parrish said. "They attracted everyone to the corner, so I knew I had plenty of time."

Then, on a 5-on-3, Demitra tried to set up two back-door chances. Finally, Rolston did what he does best, unloading a whizzing slapshot through Parrish's screen for a 2-0 lead.

"I told Roli, 'You better have scored that,'" Parrish said. "I knew I had Budaj because I could hear him squealing behind me. I knew I had his eyes."

Michael Russo • mrusso@startribune.com

Recent Minnesota Wild stories

Prospects are earning praise with edgy play - October 24, 2007

Prospects are earning praise with edgy play - DALLAS - Like many coaches, Kevin Constantine barely remembers goals. Sacrifice for the team, however, is something the Houston Aeros coach will recognize all day long. More