Three of Minnesota’s pro sports teams hosted games Sunday. And after the Vikings and Timberwolves both lost close games, the Wild completed an unwelcome hat trick by losing to the New Jersey Devils 2-1 at Xcel Energy Center.
The game was scoreless into the third period, with all three goals coming in the early part of that frame.
Zach Parise scored for Minnesota but it was sandwiched between goals by the Devils’ Adam Henrique and John Merrill.
#MNWild's Zach Parise gets first goal against former team in loss | Tonight's @GrandCasinoMN #storyofthegame: https://t.co/YOIlWMqpAd
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) January 11, 2016
Parise played more than 500 games for the Devils before joining the Wild. He has now scored against all 30 NHL teams, Wild.com notes.
John Merrill’s game winner was the first goal scored by the defenseman in more than a year.
Shots on goal were relatively scarce in this contest. Devan Dubnyk – starting in goal for the Wild for the first time since Dec. 22 – made 15 saves. His New Jersey counterpart, Corey Schneider, made 17.
The Wild host the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.
