There was extra time, and the Minnesota Wild beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday in their second warmup game.
Here are ten things we learned from the loss:
1. When they scored 66 seconds into the game, the Blackhawks got off to a fast start. But after that, the Wild had most of the control of the game. It was likely to happen since they weren’t even close to having a full lineup, and Minnesota wasn’t even close to having their full lineup.
2. It was scary at the end of the second period when Sam Savoie crashed hard into the boards and had to be carried off the ice on a cushion. It was also hard to hear him scream in pain. It looked like he just lost an edge while chasing a 50/50 puck with Alex Goligoski. I’m not sure if he stepped on Goligoski’s stick or not.
Anyway, Savoie gave the crowd a thumbs up as he left, but head coach Luke Richardson looked scared and needed to take a few deep breathes. Hard scene.
3. The Blackhawks’ Arvid Soderblom started in goal and played the whole game. Overtime winner Connor Dewar scored after he saved 29 of 31 shots in regulation, giving him a .935 save percentage. He had faced 16 shots in the first period. Soderblom played great all night.
4. What I saw offensively from Kevin Korchinski made me feel good. He was rough, didn’t mind getting into the game, and showed off his skills.
The defense will still be a work in progress. On Minnesota’s second goal, he was beat to the puck and wasn’t very strong with his stick, though it should be noted that he was coming off a long shift and Anders Bjork had turned the puck over 20 seconds before that. You can live with Korchinski’s weak defense because he is so good at offense, but it will be hard for him to get used to it.
5. MacKenzie Entwistle is one of the few players who is still in the running for a spot on the team. At 1:06 into the game, he scored the first goal by shooting past Filip Gustavsson. It was a good start for him. Boris Katchouk, his linemate, also had two helpers, one of which was on Tyler Johnson’s goal with 1:03 left in regulation that tied the game.
6. Colton Dach was one of the guys that stood out the most. Four of his shots were on goal, and he had two hits in 15:14 of ice time. That was the most in the game. He got a roughing call in the second period, but it was just a coincidence because he stood up for a teammate in a scrum.
7. Cole Guttman had a great season before he had surgery on his shoulder that ended the season. First game of the season, he looked healthy, and at one point he hit the post twice in the same shift. When it comes to his chances and skills, Guttman also thinks he will make the Opening Night squad.
He told her, “I’m sure.” “I think I have what it takes.” I’m sure of my skills and feel like I can bring a lot to this team. Just show what I can do at this point.”
8. At 21:52, Taylor Raddysh had the most ice time of any forward on the team and had five shots on goal. As he tries to follow up his 20-goal season with another one, this is a big year for him because he is under contract.
9. Natural Stat Trick says that the Wild had 11 shots on goal and 7 chances to score when the line of Anders Bjork, Reese Johnson, and Brett Seney was on the ice together at even strength. They mostly played against Adam Beckman, Vinni Lettieri, and Sammy Walker of Minnesota’s line.
10. Connor Bedard didn’t play in this game, but it looks like he will in Detroit on Sunday. I think he’ll also play at the United Center on Tuesday and Thursday. Get your tickets right now.