GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NHL: MINNESOTA (5-0) at LOS ANGELES (1-5)

NHL: MINNESOTA at LOS ANGELES

<div class="pre">NHL MINNESOTA 3
LOS ANGELES 3 1:33 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: MINNESOTA at LOS ANGELES

<div class="pre">NHL MINNESOTA 3
LOS ANGELES 3 0:22 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: MINNESOTA at LOS ANGELES

<div class="pre">NHL MINNESOTA 3
LOS ANGELES 3 0:03 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: MINNESOTA at LOS ANGELES

<div class="pre">NHL END OF THE 3RD GOING INTO OT

1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 1 1 1 3
LOS ANGELES 1 1 1 3 GOING INTO OT

GOAL SCORING:

1ST PRD: MIN - PAVOL DEMITRA 2 (MARIAN GABORIK, WES WALZ) 7:25
LOS - SCOTT THORNTON 1 (BRIAN WILLSIE) 19:33
2ND PRD: MIN - MIKKO KOIVU 2 (PIERRE-MARC BOUCHARD, BRIAN ROLSTON)
0:43
LOS - (PP) KYLE CALDER 2 (BRAD STUART, ALEXANDER FROLOV)
7:42
3RD PRD: LOS - (SH) ANZE KOPITAR 3 (UNASSISTED) 6:26
MIN - BRIAN ROLSTON 2 (MIKKO KOIVU, BRENT BURNS) 8:00

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
MIN 4 17 7 28
LOS 8 7 11 26

GOALIES: MIN - NIKLAS BACKSTROM
LOS - JEAN-SEBASTIEN AUBIN</div>

 

NHL: MINNESOTA at LOS ANGELES

<div class="pre">NHL MINNESOTA 3
LOS ANGELES 3 4:46 LEFT, OT</div>

 

NHL: MINNESOTA at LOS ANGELES

<div class="pre">NHL MINNESOTA 3
LOS ANGELES 3 3:51 LEFT, OT</div>

 

NHL: MINNESOTA at LOS ANGELES

<div class="pre">NHL MINNESOTA 3
LOS ANGELES 3 3:19 LEFT, OT</div>

 

NHL: MINNESOTA at LOS ANGELES

<div class="pre">NHL MINNESOTA 3
LOS ANGELES 3 2:18 LEFT, OT</div>

 

NHL: MINNESOTA at LOS ANGELES

<div class="pre">NHL MINNESOTA 3
LOS ANGELES 3 1:05 LEFT, OT</div>

 

NHL: MINNESOTA at LOS ANGELES

<div class="pre">NHL MINNESOTA 3
LOS ANGELES 3 0:25 LEFT, OT</div>

 

NHL: MINNESOTA at LOS ANGELES

<div class="pre">NHL END OF OT 1ST 2ND 3RD OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 1 1 1 0 3
LOS ANGELES 1 1 1 0 3 END OF OT

GOAL SCORING:

1ST PRD: MIN - PAVOL DEMITRA 2 (MARIAN GABORIK, WES WALZ) 7:25
LOS - SCOTT THORNTON 1 (BRIAN WILLSIE) 19:33
2ND PRD: MIN - MIKKO KOIVU 2 (PIERRE-MARC BOUCHARD, BRIAN ROLSTON)
0:43
LOS - (PP) KYLE CALDER 2 (BRAD STUART, ALEXANDER FROLOV)
7:42
3RD PRD: LOS - (SH) ANZE KOPITAR 3 (UNASSISTED) 6:26
MIN - BRIAN ROLSTON 2 (MIKKO KOIVU, BRENT BURNS) 8:00
OT: NONE

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MIN 4 17 7 3 31
LOS 8 7 11 3 29

GOALIES: MIN - NIKLAS BACKSTROM
LOS - JEAN-SEBASTIEN AUBIN</div>

 

NHL: MINNESOTA at LOS ANGELES

<div class="pre">NHL FINAL IN SHOOTOUT 1ST 2ND 3RD OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 1 1 1 0 (1) 3
LOS ANGELES 1 1 1 0 (3) 4 FINAL IN SHOOTOUT

GOAL SCORING:

1ST PRD: MIN - PAVOL DEMITRA 2 (MARIAN GABORIK, WES WALZ) 7:25
LOS - SCOTT THORNTON 1 (BRIAN WILLSIE) 19:33
2ND PRD: MIN - MIKKO KOIVU 2 (PIERRE-MARC BOUCHARD, BRIAN ROLSTON)
0:43
LOS - (PP) KYLE CALDER 2 (BRAD STUART, ALEXANDER FROLOV)
7:42
3RD PRD: LOS - (SH) ANZE KOPITAR 3 (UNASSISTED) 6:26
MIN - BRIAN ROLSTON 2 (MIKKO KOIVU, BRENT BURNS) 8:00
OT: NONE
SO: L.A - DUSTIN BROWN (GOAL), MIKE CAMMALLERI (GOAL),
ANZE KOPITAR (GOAL)
MIN - PETTERI NUMMELIN (GOAL), PAVOL DEMITRA (MISSED)


POWER-PLAY CONVERSIONS: MIN - 0 OF 3, LOS - 1 OF 8.

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MIN 4 17 7 3 31
LOS 8 7 11 3 29

GOALIES: MIN - NIKLAS BACKSTROM
LOS - JEAN-SEBASTIEN AUBIN

OFFICIALS: REF - DAN MAROUELLI, STEPHANE AUGER
LIN - ANDY MCELMAN, VAUGHAN RODY

ATT: 14,239</div>

 

NHL: MINNESOTA at LOS ANGELES

<div class="pre">------------------------------------------------
Minnesota 1 1 1 0 (1) --3
Los Angeles 1 1 1 0 (3) --4
------------------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Minnesota, Pavol Demitra 2 (Marian Gaborik,
Wes Walz),7:25. 2, Los Angeles, Scott Thornton 1 (Brian Willsie),
19:33. Penalties: P O'Sullivan, Los (holding), 11:54; Bench, Min (too
many men served by M Parrish), 13:16; B Burns, Min (double minor high
sticking), 15:03.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Minnesota, Mikko Koivu 2 (Pierre-Marc
Bouchard, Brian Rolston),0:43. 4, Los Angeles, Kyle Calder 2 (power
play) (Brad Stuart, Alexander Frolov)7:42. Penalties: B Burns, Min
(holding), 6:38; J Sheppard, Min (hooking), 8:39; R Blake, Los
(holding), 15:12; B Burns, Min (closing hand on puck), 18:36.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 5, Los Angeles, Anze Kopitar 3 (shorthanded)
(Unassisted), 6:26. 6, Minnesota, Brian Rolston 2 (Mikko Koivu, Brent
Burns),8:00. Penalties: K Calder, Los (tripping), 4:31; B
Radivojevic, Min (tripping), 11:51; P O'Sullivan, Los (slashing),
13:35; M Koivu, Min (slashing), 13:35.

OVERTIME -- Scoring: None. Penalties: E Belanger, Min (tripping), 1:09; B Burns,
Min (slashing), 3:01.

SHOOTOUT -- Los Angeles, Dustin Brown (goal), Mike
Cammalleri (goal), Anze Kopitar (goal). Minnesota, Petteri Nummelin
(goal), Pavol Demitra (missed).

Shots on goal:
--------------------------------------------
Minnesota 4 17 7 3 --31
Los Angeles 8 7 11 3 --29
--------------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Minnesota - 0 of 3, Los Angeles - 1 of 8.
Goalies : Minnesota, Niklas Backstrom (29 shots, 26 saves; record:
4-0-1). Los Angeles, Jean-Sebastien Aubin (31 shots, 28 saves; record:
1-0-0). A: 14,239. Referees: Dan Marouelli, Stephane Auger. Linesmen:
Andy Mcelman, Vaughan Rody.</div>

 

NHL: MINNESOTA at LOS ANGELES

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NHL
MINNESOTA 3
LOS ANGELES 4</div>

 

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Wild had been extremelystingy over their first five games this season. That fact didnot faze the Los Angeles Kings.


Anze Kopitar capped a three-goal output in regulation andMichael Cammalleri netted the deciding goal in the shootout asthe Kings halted a five-game losing streak with a 4-3 triumphover the Wild on Tuesday.


Scott Thornton and Kyle Calder also tallied for Los Angeles,which had not won since a season-opening 4-1 victory over theAnaheim Ducks in London, England on September 29.


Mikko Koivu and Brian Rolston each had a goal and an assist forthe Wild, who fell to 5-0-1 this campaign.


After failing to cash in on a pair of power-play opportunitiesin overtime, the Kings were unstoppable in the shootout, scoringon all three of their attempts against an almost invincibleNiklas Backstrom, who had allowed two goals or fewer in hisprevious 16 regular-season contests.


Dustin Brown beat the 2007 goals-against average and savepercentage leader high to the glove side with a wrist shot onLos Angeles' first opportunity, and Cammalleri also put awrister past the Finnish netminder in the second round. Kopitarsealed the win when he slid the puck around the fallenBackstrom with one hand.


Entering with a shutout streak of 102 minutes, 52 seconds, theWild grabbed the lead at 7:25 of the first period. MarianGaborik unleashed a wrist shot from the high slot that wasstopped by Jean-Sebastien Aubin, but Pavol Demitra was on thedoorstep to slip the rebound past the goaltender for a 1-0 edge.

Minnesota proved fallible late in the session as Los Angelesended the shutout stretch at 122:24. From below the leftfaceoff circle, Brian Willsie made a backhand pass to Thornton,who beat Backstrom to the glove side from the circle with 27seconds remaining to knot the game.


Thornton's goal was just the second at even strength yielded byMinnesota in six games this season.


The Wild regained the lead just 43 seconds into the secondfollowing a turnover behind the net by Kings defenseman TomPreissing. Rolston slid a one-handed pass to Pierre-MarcBouchard, who set up Koivu in the slot for his second tally ofthe season.


But Los Angeles forged another tie at 7:42, as Calder deflectedblue-liner Brad Stuart's one-timer from above the left circlepast Backstrom for a power-play goal.


Minnesota had a great chance to snap the deadlock with 3:36left, but Eric Belanger fired the puck right into the glove ofAubin with a wide-opne left side of the net at which to shoot.

The Kings accomplished a feat five other teams were unable tothis season 6 1/2 minutes into the third. After a turnover byDemitra during a power play for Minnesota, Kopitar fired awrister from the left faceoff dot between the pads of Backstromfor a shorthanded goal, marking the first time the Wildsurrendered more than two tallies in a game this season.

However, it did not end the Wild's pursuit for another victory,as Rolston blasted a shot from high in the right circle thatfound its way between Aubin's body and left arm eight minutesinto the third, forging a 3-3 tie.


Backstrom, who dropped to 14-0-2 in his last 16 decisions, made26 saves for the Wild. Aubin, who was playing in his 200thcareer NHL game, stopped 28 shots for Los Angeles.

 

NHL: MINNESOTA at LOS ANGELES

<div class="pre">------------------------------------------------
Minnesota 1 1 1 0 (1) --3
Los Angeles 1 1 1 0 (3) --4
------------------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Minnesota, Pavol Demitra 2 (Marian Gaborik,
Wes Walz),7:25. 2, Los Angeles, Scott Thornton 1 (Brian Willsie),
19:33. Penalties: P O'Sullivan, Los (holding), 11:54; Bench, Min (too
many men served by M Parrish), 13:16; B Burns, Min (double minor high
sticking), 15:03.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Minnesota, Mikko Koivu 2 (Pierre-Marc
Bouchard, Brian Rolston),0:43. 4, Los Angeles, Kyle Calder 2 (power
play) (Brad Stuart, Alexander Frolov)7:42. Penalties: B Burns, Min
(holding), 6:38; J Sheppard, Min (hooking), 8:39; R Blake, Los
(holding), 15:12; B Burns, Min (closing hand on puck), 18:36.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 5, Los Angeles, Anze Kopitar 3 (shorthanded)
(Unassisted), 6:26. 6, Minnesota, Brian Rolston 2 (Mikko Koivu, Brent
Burns),8:00. Penalties: K Calder, Los (tripping), 4:31; B
Radivojevic, Min (tripping), 11:51; P O'Sullivan, Los (slashing),
13:35; M Koivu, Min (slashing), 13:35.

OVERTIME -- Scoring: None. Penalties: E Belanger, Min (tripping), 1:09; B Burns,
Min (slashing), 3:01.

SHOOTOUT -- Los Angeles, Dustin Brown (goal), Mike
Cammalleri (goal), Anze Kopitar (goal). Minnesota, Petteri Nummelin
(goal), Pavol Demitra (missed).

Shots on goal:
--------------------------------------------
Minnesota 4 17 7 3 --31
Los Angeles 8 7 11 3 --29
--------------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Minnesota - 0 of 3, Los Angeles - 1 of 8.
Goalies : Minnesota, Niklas Backstrom (29 shots, 26 saves; record:
4-0-1). Los Angeles, Jean-Sebastien Aubin (31 shots, 28 saves; record:
1-0-0). A: 14,239. Referees: Dan Marouelli, Stephane Auger. Linesmen:
Andy Mcelman, Vaughan Rody.</div>

 

NHL: MINNESOTA at LOS ANGELES

<div class="pre">-----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA 1 1 1 0 (1) --3
LOS ANGELES 1 1 1 0 (3) --4
-----------------------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Minnesota, Pavol Demitra 2 (Marian Gaborik,
Wes Walz),7:25. 2, Los Angeles, Scott Thornton 1 (Brian Willsie),
19:33. Penalties: P O'Sullivan, Los (holding), 11:54; Bench, Min (too
many men served by M Parrish), 13:16; B Burns, Min (double minor high
sticking), 15:03.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Minnesota, Mikko Koivu 2 (Pierre-Marc
Bouchard, Brian Rolston),0:43. 4, Los Angeles, Kyle Calder 2 (power
play) (Brad Stuart, Alexander Frolov)7:42. Penalties: B Burns, Min
(holding), 6:38; J Sheppard, Min (hooking), 8:39; R Blake, Los
(holding), 15:12; B Burns, Min (closing hand on puck), 18:36.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 5, Los Angeles, Anze Kopitar 3 (shorthanded)
(Unassisted), 6:26. 6, Minnesota, Brian Rolston 2 (Mikko Koivu, Brent
Burns),8:00. Penalties: K Calder, Los (tripping), 4:31; B
Radivojevic, Min (tripping), 11:51; P O'Sullivan, Los (slashing),
13:35; M Koivu, Min (slashing), 13:35.

OVERTIME -- Scoring: None. Penalties: E Belanger, Min (tripping), 1:09; B Burns,
Min (slashing), 3:01.

SHOOTOUT -- Los Angeles, Dustin Brown (goal), Mike
Cammalleri (goal), Anze Kopitar (goal). Minnesota, Petteri Nummelin
(goal), Pavol Demitra (missed).

Shots on goal:
---------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA 4 17 7 3 --31
LOS ANGELES 8 7 11 3 --29
---------------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: MIN - 0 of 3, LOS - 1 of 8. Goalies :
Minnesota, Niklas Backstrom (29 shots, 26 saves; record: 4-0-1). Los
Angeles, Jean-Sebastien Aubin (31 shots, 28 saves; record: 1-0-0). A:
14,239. Referees: Dan Marouelli, Stephane Auger. Linesmen: Andy
Mcelman, Vaughan Rody.

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATISTICS

MINNESOTA LOS ANGELES
G A +/- Shots G A +/- Shots
M Gaborik 0 1 -1 7 A Kopitar 1 0 +1 4
B Rolston 1 1 +1 3 P O'Sullivan 0 0 -1 3
S Veilleux 0 0 -1 1 M Cammalleri 0 0 even 2
M Parrish 0 0 even 1 L Visnovsky 0 0 -2 1
D Boogaard 0 0 even 0 K Calder 1 0 -2 4
E Belanger 0 0 +1 4 B Willsie 0 1 +1 1
K Foster 0 0 even 2 D Brown 0 0 +1 1
P Nummelin 0 0 +2 1 A Frolov 0 1 -3 3
W Walz 0 1 -1 0 M Handzus 0 0 -2 1
P Demitra 1 0 -1 2 S Thornton 1 0 +1 1
M Skoula 0 0 -1 1 J Johnson 0 0 even 0
K Johnsson 0 0 +1 0 R Blake 0 0 -2 3
N Schultz 0 0 +1 0 R Ivanans 0 0 even 0
J Sheppard 0 0 even 0 T Preissing 0 0 +1 1
B Burns 0 1 even 4 J Modry 0 0 +1 0
M Koivu 1 1 +2 2 B Stuart 0 1 even 2
B Radivojevic 0 0 even 3 D Armstrong 0 0 even 2
P Bouchard 0 1 +2 0 J Zeiler 0 0 even 0
K Carney HEALTHY L Nagy HEALTHY
M Foy HEALTHY K Dallman HEALTHY
D Moore ABDOMINAL</div>

 

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Wild had been extremelystingy over their first five games this season. That fact didnot faze the Los Angeles Kings.


Anze Kopitar capped a three-goal output in regulation andMichael Cammalleri netted the deciding goal in the shootout asthe Kings halted a five-game losing streak with a 4-3 triumphover the Wild on Tuesday.


Scott Thornton and Kyle Calder also tallied for Los Angeles,which had not won since a season-opening 4-1 victory over theAnaheim Ducks in London, England on September 29.


"It was a satisfying win," Cammalleri said. "We really neededthat game, and to do it against them was awesome because of howwell they've been playing. It's kind of a cliche in sports, butwhen you take the first-place team and put it against astruggling team, often the struggling team wins. You're alwaysdangerous when you're desperate."


Mikko Koivu and Brian Rolston each had a goal and an assist forthe Wild, who fell to 5-0-1 this campaign. The setbackprevented Minnesota from matching its franchise-best start of6-0-0 last season.


After failing to cash in on a pair of power-play opportunitiesin overtime, the Kings were unstoppable in the shootout, scoringon all three of their attempts against an almost invincibleNiklas Backstrom, who had allowed two goals or fewer in hisprevious 16 regular-season contests.


Dustin Brown beat the 2007 goals-against average and savepercentage leader high to the glove side with a wrist shot onLos Angeles' first opportunity, and Cammalleri also put awrister past the Finnish netminder in the second round. Kopitarsealed the win when he slid the puck around the fallenBackstrom with one hand.


"It was a good move," admitted Backstrom, who slipped to 25-1-3lifetime when leading at any point in a game. "I think I waspretty close to getting it, but it was a great move."

"It felt good to break through like this, against the top teamin the league," Kopitar said. "We played hard as a team anddidn't give up."


Making his first appearance of the season, Jean-Sebastien Aubinmade a big glove save on Pavol Demitra on Minnesota's secondattempt to set the stage for Kopitar.


"I just saw him go really wide and I made sure I wasn't going togive first," Aubin said. "I was in the right place and wasable to make the save. We had some great shooters who took careof the rest."


Entering with a shutout streak of 102 minutes, 52 seconds, theWild grabbed the lead at 7:25 of the first period. MarianGaborik unleashed a wrist shot from the high slot that wasstopped by Aubin, but Demitra was on the doorstep to slip therebound past the goaltender for a 1-0 edge.


Minnesota proved fallible late in the session as Los Angelesended the shutout stretch at 122:24. From below the leftfaceoff circle, Brian Willsie made a backhand pass to Thornton,who beat Backstrom to the glove side from the circle with 27seconds remaining to knot the game.


Thornton's goal was just the second at even strength yielded byMinnesota in six games this season.


The Wild regained the lead just 43 seconds into the secondfollowing a turnover behind the net by Kings defenseman TomPreissing. Rolston slid a one-handed pass to Pierre-MarcBouchard, who set up Koivu in the slot for his second tally ofthe season.


But Los Angeles forged another tie at 7:42, as Calder deflectedblue-liner Brad Stuart's one-timer from above the left circlepast Backstrom for a power-play goal.


"We did some simple things right in the scheme of the game,"said Cammalleri, who was held without a goal for just the secondtime in seven games this season. "We were extremelydisciplined and worked short and hard (shifts). That was one ofthe keys for us."


Minnesota had a great chance to snap the deadlock with 3:36left, but Eric Belanger fired the puck right into the glove ofAubin with a wide-open left side of the net at which to shoot.

The Kings accomplished a feat five other teams were unable tothis season 6 1/2 minutes into the third. After a turnover byDemitra during a power play for Minnesota, Kopitar fired awrister from the left faceoff dot between the pads of Backstromfor a shorthanded goal, marking the first time the Wildsurrendered more than two tallies in a game this season.

However, it did not end the Wild's pursuit for another victory,as Rolston blasted a shot from high in the right circle thatfound its way between Aubin's body and left arm eight minutesinto the third, forging a 3-3 tie.


"We got a big point," Belanger said. "We took a lot ofpenalties, but we battled and we deserved the point we gottonight. They played hard also. It was a good game."

Backstrom, who dropped to 14-0-2 in his last 16 decisions, made26 saves for the Wild. Aubin, who was playing in his 200thcareer NHL game, stopped 28 shots for Los Angeles.