Canucks-Wild: Minnesota Back On Top

The Wild seem to have their confidence back. They beat Vancouver handily last night 4-0 and pushed the Canucks out of the last spot.

Although they can secure a spot in the play-offs with one more win, they want more than that. They have a three point led over the Flames with only three games left. The Flames have five.

"We believe we're in good shape, but things happen," Mikko Koivu said.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard scored a power play goal with help from a screen by Aaron Voros. Bouchard’s slapshot went high over Luongo’s stick at 11:37 in the first. 

The Wild then scored at even strength at 17:21 on a Koivu wrister with the assist going to Rolston.

The Wild scored twice more in the second, another even strength goal by Brent Burns and a man advantage goal by Todd Fedoruk.  Fedoruk's goal started out as a breakway by Gaborik, who slowed just long enough for Fedoruk to position himself. Gaborik then made a perfect pass to Fedoruk, who put the puck in over Luongo.

Luongo, who flew into Minnesota after the birth of his daughter, was pulled after Fedoruk’s goal.

Perhaps the most memorable moment in the game was the third period melee that resulted in seven penalties for the Canucks and nine for the Wild.

After the game Bouchard joked that maybe he ought to attend Derek Boogaard’s summer fighting camp. It was Bouchard’s career first major for fighting.

Alex Burrows began the fight by spearing Bouchard near the blue line, resulting in an intent to injure match penalty that may also get him suspended, depending on league review.

Burrows and Bouchard are summertime neighbours in Quebec and have had an on-ice feud for two years running.  Burrows denied spearing Bouchard after the game. Bouchard retaliated with a slash (another major). Both player then dropped their gloves.

Derek Boogaard took on Jeff Cowan and Brent Burns then used Nathan McIver’s head as a punching bag. Todd Fedoruk took McIver down.

"It was like a playoff game. We played as a team and we stuck up for each other," Bouchard said.

The only thing standing between the Wild and the play-offs is one point. The only way the team will miss the play-offs is if they lose all three of their final games while both Nashville and Vancouver win all four of their remaining games.

Game notes: Kurtis Foster is now in a Minneapolis hospital to continue treatment and therapy. There is no timetable for his return...Luongo was pulled for the second time in two games. He’s given up nine goals in 45 minutes…It was the fourth shutout of the season for Backstrom, who posted a franchise record with his 31st win…Bouchard (first goal in 20 games) and Koivu (first in 11) broke scoring droughts.