Wild development camp, Day 6: Granlund scores twice -- once in shootout

The Wild's prospects camp is over after a second scrimmage at the X. The 42 players in camp will scatter across the country now.

But a number of them will reunite soon. Some will play for the Wild team in Traverse City (Mich.) Prospects Tournament, Sept. 10-14, against young players representing seven other teams. Some will be at coach Mike Yeo's first training camp which starts Sept. 16. Players report the day before.

"I liked the scrimmages; I thought some players really stepped it up," said new Houston Aeros coach John Torchetti, who ran the on-ice drills during the week. Torchetti also coached the White team in the camp's first scrimmage on Saturday and the Green team in Sunday's scrimmage.

"[The players] showed really great poise and overall the talent that is going to be coming through the system is really good," said Torchetti, whose Aeros are the Wild's AHL affiliate.

"I have been fortunate to been in Chicago and seen the talent. Here it is even more. And that is a great benfit to the organization for years to come. Some of these guys -- a couple might have a chance [to make the Wild] this year. They will probably be going back [to Houston] but it will definitely be a lot of fun coaching them."

Torchetti record as the bench coach in scrimmages this weekend was 0-1-1. The two camp teams tied 5-5 on Saturday. Then the Green team won the ensuing shootout in which everybody takes a turn.

On Sunday, the White team won the scrimmage 3-2, but lost 5-3 in the shootout. So, according to the scoreboard, the winner of this made-for-prospects hybrid event was the Green team 7-6.

"They are going to be very excited about the future here after watching this weekend," Torchetti said. "Well, for me, [I was trying] to evaluate players and see their work ethic. And then on the ice, the mannerisms and just the hockey sense. I always judge hockey sense and skating."

Torchetti said he was impressed with all the players, but a few stood out. "You know who they are," he said. "The guys who were expected to be highly skilled players definitely showed that in games."

He said the players learned a little about him, too, this weekend, which was good. "It makes the transition a whole lot easier," said Torchetti, who also will be at Traverse City.

GRANLUND PRAISED

The one player most in the spotlight this weekend was Mikael Granlund, the Wild's first round draft pick in 2010. He impressed Torchetti.

"He certainly has that presence. Even on the bench [on Sunday], when we were down by two, [the players] weren't even worried by it. They knew we had a chance. We were going to get a power play and then we were going to get our shootout, so just be patient. And that is what [Granlund] definitely brings. He slows the game down to a different level."

On Sunday, Granlund, the 5-10 center from Finland, had a goal and an assist in regulation, and also scored a goal in the shootout on two chances.

RECAP OF SECOND SCRIMMAGE

GOALS IN REGULATION

Green 0 2--2

First half

No scoring

Second half

White: D Joel Broda clanks a shot from top of slot off crossbar for first goal of game, 3:01 ... White up 1-0

White: Kyle Thomas scores on penalty shot. Also had two other penalty shots, one in first half, one later in second that he couldn't score on, 4:05 ... White up 2-0

White: Charlie Coyle scores on penalty shot, 7:20 ... White up 3-1

Green: Zack Phillips scores his third regulation goal in two days on pass from Granlund, 8:55. ... White up 3-2, which is final score of scrimmage

SHOOTOUT GOALS

Green team

Scoring goals (5): Johan Larsson, J.T. Brown, Carter Sandlak, Mike Kramer, Mikael Granland (given second chance)

Not playing: forwards Cody Almond, Brett Bulmer and Tyler Gravoc, and defensemen Tyler Cuma and Jared Spurgeon because of assorted minor injuries.

White team

Scoring goals (3): Sam Lofquist, Colton Jobke and Chad Rau. ... Forwards were 1 for 10 on penalty shots.

Not scoring: Nathan Burns, Jonas Brodin, Kris Fredheim, Chay Genoway, Derik Johnson, Justin Fontaine, Mario Lucia, Kyle Thomas, Jason Zucker, Charlie Coyle, Joel Broda, David McIntyre, Dylan Willick.

Not playing: forward Carson McMillan and defenseman Sean Lorenz, both injured.

Green team

Matt Hackett, 0 goals, 7 saves in first half

Stephen Michaelek, 3 goals, 9 saves in second half ... stopped 13 of 16 players in shootout

White team

Darcy Kuemper, 0 goals given up, 14 saves in first half

LINES

Green team: Mikael Granlund-Zack Phillips-Johan Larsson; Jack Connolly-J.T. Brown-Kris Foucault; Mike Kramer-Carter Sandlak-Taylor Peters.

White team: Charlie Coyle-Jason Zucker-Justin Fontaine; Chad Rau-Joel Broda-Nathan Burns; David McIntyre-Mario Lucia-Dylan Willick. ... Kyle Thomas played on several lines.

THREE STARS

1. Mikael Granlund, taken ninth overall by Wild in 2010 draft. The 5-10 Finn scored a goal in regulation and set up another, but his Green team lost 3-2 to the White team. Then in the shootout, he was given a second turn because the Green team have one player fewer. He missed on his first penalty shot but scored on his second. So the Green team won the shootout 5-3 and, on the day, finished ahead 7-6 on the Xcel scoreboard.

3. Darcy Kuemper, White goalie in first half. He made 14 saves to keep the Green team, which was often dominating play in the first half, scoreless.

PLAY OF GAME