Missed Opportunity for Wild as Hurricanes Storm Back
Seeking a third straight victory, the Minnesota Wild twice held one-goal leads and managed to tie the game at 3-3. However, the Carolina Hurricanes responded every time to reclaim control and eventually won 4-3.
Game Highlights
- Matt Boldy scored two goals, breaking his scoring drought.
- Brock Faber netted his second goal of the season for the Wild.
- Despite Minnesota's strong special teams performance, Carolina prevailed by rallying late.
Team and Coach Comments
“Unfortunately, we didn’t find a way to win the hockey game, but it was a hard-fought battle by both teams,” said Wild coach John Hynes. “They had pushes and surges, and we had pushes and surges. But, unfortunately, we weren’t the team to win it tonight.”
Filip Gustavsson, in his 12th start for Minnesota, struggled early as Carolina converted four goals on their first eight shots. He then stabilized and finished with 23 saves.
“This is a really good team we’re playing against, and we’re matching up against them pretty good today,” Gustavsson said. He added that his recovery was more about the flow of the game than specific adjustments.
Team Performance and Stats
- The Wild slipped to a 5-7-3 record with this loss.
- They are now 0-6-1 when trailing after the first period.
- Minnesota had the first power play but failed to register a shot on goal during it.
This game showcased Minnesota’s resilience but highlighted missed chances that allowed the Hurricanes to dominate late.