Wild defenseman given first taste of NHL

Justin Falk made his professional debut on Friday, a day after signing a contract with the Wild.

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: October 4, 2008 - 12:19 AM

COLUMBUS, OHIO — What a whirlwind two days for defenseman Justin Falk, the pride of Snowflake, Manitoba.

The Wild's 2007 fourth-round pick signed his first NHL contract, a three-year, $1.575 million deal (plus $200,000 signing bonus) late Thursday. Friday, Falk made his pro debut during the Wild's 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

General Manager Doug Risebrough said Falk, who turns 20 on Nov. 11, has made huge strides the past year. He'll start the season with the Houston Aeros of the AHL.

"It's hard to find big defensemen who have all-around ability," Risebrough said.

After a slow start last season with Spokane of the Western Hockey League, Falk had what Risebrough called "a monster year" in helping lead the Chiefs to a Memorial Cup (Canadian Hockey League championship).

"Confidence is a huge factor, and I came into camp with a lot of it," Falk said. "I benefited from playing those important games, those big games against the best players [in Canada].

"I hope to be a shutdown guy. I try to be physical in our end and gap up and deny their rush. The two-way play will come with more experience and confidence."

Rally comes up short

In what coach Jacques Lemaire called "a strange game," the Wild rallied from a 3-0 deficit and tied the score on goals by Owen Nolan, Marian Gaborik and James Sheppard in a span of 2 minutes, 14 seconds in the second period before losing 5-3.

Gaborik had two points and five of his eight shots in the second period, but he took two minor penalties in the third -- one that resulted in Kris Russell's winning power-play goal.

"Cost us the game," Lemaire said. "You've got to be smart."

Lemaire wasn't only unimpressed with Gaborik.

"We didn't deserve to win nothing the way we played," Lemaire said. "They started, they were all over us. And we weren't skating. This game is a skating game. It's not even positive that we came back."

Etc.

• Defenseman John Scott injured his right ankle in the third period. He said X-rays were normal and it's a bad sprain.

• Lemaire plans to play his "best lineup" tonight in Montreal, including goalie Niklas Backstrom, who started Friday. However, Marek Zidlicky (ankle) is out and Marc-Andre Bergeron (broken nose) is doubtful.

• Earlier in camp, Risebrough said Gaborik wouldn't play back-to-back games. Asked if Gaborik, in a contract dispute with the Wild, would play tonight, Lemaire quipped, "Is it in his contract?" Lemaire said Gaborik would play.

Recent Minnesota Wild stories

Kiprusoff's 38 saves, Iginla's 2 goals give Calgary a 5-2 win over Maple Leafs - October 4, 2008

Kiprusoff's 38 saves, Iginla's 2 goals give Calgary a 5-2 win over Maple Leafs - Jarome Iginla scored two goals and Miikka Kiprusoff made 38 saves and the Calgary Flames earned a 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night. More