Wild's Brunette sits, sees his ironman streak end

Andrew Brunette did not dress against the Red Wings, ending his consecutive-games streak at 509.

By BRIAN STENSAAS, Star Tribune

Last update: February 22, 2009 - 9:00 AM

The streak is over.

Wild forward Andrew Brunette, who left Thursday's game with what the team called a "lower body" injury, did not dress for Saturday's game with Detroit.

It ends his consecutive-games streak at 509, the longest among active players. Saturday marked the first NHL game missed by Brunette since Dec. 31, 2001.

Brunette did not participate in the team's practice Friday, the first sign the streak was in jeopardy.

Brunette did take part in the Wild's morning skate Saturday. Wild coach Jacques Lemaire, however, said he looked just "so-so."

Still, at that point it looked as though Brunette might give it a shot against the Red Wings.

"He's a very determined player," Lemaire said. "He wants to stay in the lineup as much as he can. He's going to try everything possible to be a part of the game."

Brunette also left a game last month because of a leg injury, but returned to play two days later.

This time, he was not so fortunate. However, his willingness to at least take the ice earlier in the day was not lost on younger players.

"That gives the kids a good picture [of] the type of player they could be in the future," Lemaire said. "He's always been like that."

With Brunette out, Craig Weller played for the first time since sustaining a concussion Jan. 15.

A chance to shine

With Chris Osgood struggling, the Red Wings took a chance and called up Jimmy Howard from AHL Grand Rapids to start against the Wild on Saturday. He was expected to be sent back to the Griffins today.

Howard, 24, was 15-13-4 with a 2.46 goals against average and three shutouts with Grand Rapids this season. Saturday was his seventh NHL start, his first this season.

It's been a banner year for young goaltenders in the league, particularly rookies Steve Mason of Columbus (first in the NHL with seven shutouts) and Nashville's Pekka Rinne (four shutouts).

Howard hopes his time to step up is soon.

"I've played against [Mason and Rinne] in the AHL and had good battles," Howard said. "There's no reason I can't go out there and play like that."

Wings coach Mike Babcock said only the best of the best shine early, but Howard has earned is chance largely because of his demeanor in Grand Rapids.

"A big part of the reason you're playing well [in the minors] is you're calm," Babcock said. "Now you gotta be calm here. When you're calm, the puck hits ya and sticks to ya. And when you're not, the puck hits ya and goes out under a stick."

Showing his hand

Lemaire is usually one to keep a tight lid on who his starting goalie is on game days.

Not Saturday.

Eight hours before the puck dropped, Lemaire -- without prompting -- revealed to a throng of reporters that Niklas Backstrom would start against the Red Wings.

"We gotta get points; find a way to get points," Lemaire said. "We have to play our best goalie. That gives us the best chance possible to get some points."

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