Paul Statsny’s goal with 13.4 seconds left in regulation to force overtime was a backbreaker. His overtime game-winner was obviously a finishing move that rivaled finishing moves on Mortal Kombat.
However you look at it, the Wild’s 5-4 loss in Game 1 of their best-of-seven playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche was a complete collapse, but Statsny’s goals wouldn’t have mattered without the incredible hustle play made late in the third period by defenseman Erik Johnson.
Yes. Johnson is a Minnesotan. The former Academy of Holy Angels star, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 draft, became less of a hockey player and more of a speed skater as he raced down the ice to swat a puck away from an empty-net. Had the puck gone in, it would have clinched a victory for the Wild.
“At first, I was like — there’s no way this is going to go in after he flipped it (down ice),” Johnson said after the game, according to the Denver Post. “And then I see it take a turn, and I’m going – I got to get on my horse here. Originally, I didn’t think I was going to get there. It kind of slowed down, and I got there right at the last second.”
The effort didn’t come without controversy. Johnson’s momentum carried him into the goal, knocking it off its moorings. Wild forward Matt Cooke jumped on the puck and would have had another open-net opportunity, but the officials blew the play dead as soon as the net became dislodged.
Here’s the video from Yahoo Sports.
