wild111609

On the homepage

Crimefighting

Video advances are a big crime-solving aid

Out There

Mental health

A 'national crisis' of student suicide

Health care

Health care bill stuck on Democrats' infighting

Home | Sports | Minnesota Wild

Wild stages big rally before Hurricanes prevail

Karl B Deblaker, Associated Press - Ap

Carolina goalie Michael Leighton turned away an attempt by Wild captain Mikko Koivu during the shootout Sunday.

Minnesota finds a new offensive source but falls in shootout.

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: November 16, 2009 - 9:55 AM

Print this story

CAROLINA 5, WILD 4 (SHOOTOUT) Up next: 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Phoenix • Xcel Energy Center • TV: Ch. 45 (830-AM)

More from Minnesota Wild

RALEIGH, N.C. - You've got to hand it to Carolina's "Caniacs."

Given nothing to cheer about all season, the diehards still arrived early on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for some NHL-style tailgating unique to Carolina Hurricanes fans. One fanatic, probably aware the road-weak Wild was the opponent, even waved a sign: "The winning streak starts today."

As the "Caniac" predicted hours before a 5-4 shootout victory, the Hurricanes were jumping for joy like they had won the 2006 Stanley Cup all over again.

The Hurricanes were one loss away from breaking the Hartford/Carolina 30-year franchise-record winless streak of 14 games. But in an epic battle of last-place teams from each conference, the Wild couldn't complete a comeback from three goals down sparked by two improbable goal scorers.

With the Wild looking helpless, Robbie Earl and John Scott scored their first NHL goals 20 seconds apart in the second period. Earl scored again early in the third, but in the end, the Wild allowed the Hurricanes to taste sweet victory for the first time since Oct. 9.

"Imagine what kind of conversation we'd be having now after a 4-1 lead if we lost that game," Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice said. "That was enormous for our players."

Jussi Jokinen scored the lone shootout goal against his good friend and former Karpat Oulu teammate, Niklas Backstrom. Skating all summer with Backstrom, Jokinen figured Backstrom would assume he'd attempt his signature blocker-side whizzer. But Jokinen instead roofed a backhander for his 25th shootout goal, the most in NHL history.

"We'll have some good talks in the summer for sure," Jokinen said.

Mikko Koivu, Antti Miettinen and Marek Zidlicky all missed in the shootout as the Wild, which gave up three power-play goals, closed its disappointing road trip (1-1-2).

With the afternoon start, the Wild wasn't afforded a morning skate after scrapping practice Saturday to re-energize. Next day game, coach Todd Richards should awake the players around 4 a.m. to get one in.

"You have a first period like this, that's something that just can't happen," Richards said. "We're 20 games in now. A fourth of the season is over with."

The Wild sleepwalked through the first. The players didn't win a battle. Almost every piece of contact ended with the Hurricanes skating away with the puck. The Wild took lazy penalties, went the first seven minutes without a shot and had only one scoring chance -- Koivu hit the post.

"Guys weren't committed ... to doing the things necessary to win -- going into corners and battling for pucks," Richards said.

But with the Wild down 4-1, Earl, playing his second game with the Wild, and Scott, a late fill-in at forward for Benoit Pouliot (hand injury), scored to cut the deficit to one.

"It ignited us," Richards said. "We were more invested as a group. The first period, we were missing a lot of guys."

Early in the third, with Earl promoted to the first line, Joe Corvo banked a puck off goalie Michael Leighton right onto Earl's stick for the tying goal.

"Down by three goals, it's tough to come back," the Wild's Eric Belanger said. "We still got a big point on the road, so there's something positive."

Recent Minnesota Wild stories

'Good probability' Ovechkin will return Tuesday after 6-game absence for Capitals vs Rangers - November 16, 2009

'Good probability' Ovechkin will return Tuesday after 6-game absence for Capitals vs Rangers - Two-time reigning league MVP Alex Ovechkin appears set to return from his injury layoff when the Washington Capitals visit the New York Rangers on Tuesday night. More

Johnson has power-play goal, scores winner in shootout to rally Kings to win over Panthers - November 16, 2009

Johnson has power-play goal, scores winner in shootout to rally Kings to win over Panthers - Defenseman Jack Johnson scored the only goal in the shootout, and the Los Angeles Kings rallied to beat the Florida Panthers 4-3 Monday night. More