Wild comes up with gritty game in a tough spot

The team needed a victory to wipe out the memory of Friday's debacle, and it needed any sort of success in the Columbus arena where it has repeatedly failed.

By Michael Russo, Star Tribune

Last update: December 10, 2007 - 1:24 AM

COLUMBUS, OHIO - Nobody wanted to call it a "must-win," because, after all, it's December.

But after getting spanked the night before in Detroit and with three challenging games on the horizon in California, the Wild knew it had to bounce back Saturday night in an arena that's usually unkind.

So one night after phoning it in against the Red Wings, the Wild put on its hard hats and gutted out a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets inside the daunting, intimidating, downright terrifying ... Nationwide Arena.

"It's been a long time," coach Jacques Lemaire said of the Wild's first victory in the Buckeye State since Jan. 18, 2002. "That's why it's nice. We don't win here too often."

In fact, it was only the Wild's second win -- ever -- in Columbus (ending a nine-game winless streak), and while this game film won't be submitted to the Walker Art Center as a masterpiece, the Wild gladly ran with the two points after being blown out Friday.

"We didn't show any signs of life whatsoever [in Detroit]," captain Mark Parrish said. "We wanted to prove that we're willing to battle to get an ugly, gritty game against a team that's very hard to play against.

"Any time you lose a couple, you want to stop the bleeding as quick as you can. Things can spiral quickly away from you if you don't."

With the Wild actually "competing," sparkplug Aaron Voros fittingly got the game's first goal, then jacked up the Wild by fighting Jared Boll in the second period. Brian Rolston scored the winning goal 2 minutes, 22 seconds into the third period, and Niklas Backstrom, after struggling in his last start Wednesday against Philadelphia, blanked the Blue Jackets during a 15-save, hold-on-for-dear-life final period.

"We wanted to get some pride back," said Backstrom, who made 31 saves in all. "I needed to be there for the team. If they were to score, I told myself they had to make the perfect shot."

Voros, getting first-line duty despite Lemaire saying Friday he wasn't a good fit there, scored his fifth goal for a 1-0 first period by driving the net and banging in Pavol Demitra's goalmouth pass. Nick Schultz and Marian Gaborik made strong passes to move the puck up.

Nikolai Zherdev tied the score 52 seconds into the second period.

But two signs indicated that the Wild's mental fortitude would be stronger than in recent games.

First, after the goal, the Wild, instead of a going into a lull, generated quality scoring chances and would have taken the lead if it weren't for goalie Pascal Leclaire making terrific saves on Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Eric Belanger and Gaborik.

Second, the Wild didn't deflate after referee Stephane Auger's quick whistle to deny the Wild of a Parrish goal.

"He said he was right," Lemaire said. "Well, they're always right, eh? That's why they're referees."

Finally, early in the third, Rolston took Kim Johnsson's pass in the left faceoff circle, turned and quickly shot for his ninth goal and first winner since Oct. 14.

It was Rolston's first and only shot of the game.

"It only takes one," Rolston said, laughing.

From there, the team continued to work, even though it often got scrambly in the Wild's end.

"It was night and day compared to Detroit," Voros said. "Yesterday, it looked like our legs were stuck in quicksand. We were reacting to everything they did instead of taking it to them. Tonight, we forced the issue and forced them into plays they necessarily didn't want to make."

• Wild prospect Chris Hickey, who played at Cretin-Derham Hall, attended Saturday's game. He plays for USHL Tri-Cities, which beat Columbus on Saturday.

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