The Minnesota Wild fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2, in overtime on Thursday night during the team’s second exhibition game.
Brandon Sutter’s backhanded goal at the 2:23 mark of overtime was the difference maker. It was his second goal of the game.
Despite the loss, it was a pretty good showing for the Wild’s stars – many of whom saw their first ice time on Thursday night.
After Sutter beat Darcy Kuemper to put the Penguins up 1-0 in the first, Thomas Vanek pulled the Wild even when he scored off a tip-in right in front of the net. Vanek was assisted by Mikko Koivu and Matt Dumba.
The play showcased exactly what the Wild were hoping to see when they acquired Vanek. He set up in front of the net and Koivu found him. Vanek tipped the puck right past Penguins goaltender Jeff Zatkoff and into the top right corner of the net.
Minnesota took the lead in the third. Zach Parise scored on a wrist shot to give the Wild a brief 2-1 lead, but it only lasted for a few seconds as Oskar Sundqvist beat Ilya Bryzgalov to tie the game at two.
It stayed that way through the rest of the third, setting the stage for Sutter’s game winner in overtime.
Kuemper played the first two periods as Wild coach Mike Yeo had planned. He stopped 15 of the 16 shots he faced, while Bryzgalov surrendered a pair of goals on 12 shots.
The Wild continue preseason on Saturday when they host Winnipeg on Saturday night at the Xcel Energy Center.
