Quite a scene at the Xcel prior to puck drop last night, as the fans were glued to every TV available to the masses on the concourse, watching what has been dubbed the "Minneapolis Miracle" unfold before their very eyes.

The players on the ice knew something big had happened, but just what was not known to them until it was shown on the scoreboard inside the arena.

it was quite a scene and the jubilation is everywhere throughout the State of Hockey.

The Wild had a chance to make the day complete if they could have pulled off the victory over Vancouver. The Vikings had won and the Timberwolves took care of business, but unfortunately the Wild would surrender a late third period goal to none other than Thomas Vanek, that tied the game. Then in OT Brandon Sutter playing in his first game since late November, would end it with a wrist shot that beat Dubnyk stick side for the winner.

The Wild finished the week 2-0-2 and gained 6 of 8 points in the standings along the way.

the NHL season is long, and these players are human. Playing two back to backs this week and getting points in all four games is very good.

We often expect the same high level of play from each player every night and as much as we know that is unrealistic, it never stops us from complaining when the players and team have one of "those" games.

Last night was a tricky spot for the Wild as they were coming off an emotional win over Division rival Winnipeg, a team that had beaten them three times already this season. Playing back to back nights with the bye week looming, and hosting the struggling Canucks.

You can say all you want, but that was a trap game from the drop of the puck. The fact that the Wild took an early lead, actually may not have been a detriment to the team and actually fed into a false sense that it was going to be an easy two points.

Of course it did not take long to see that that was not the case and the game plodded along without much intensity over the first two periods. The Wild had just 13 shots on goal through the first two periods while Vancouver mustered just 16 of their own.

Daniel Winnik snapped a wrist shot past Jacob Markstrom with just under eight minutes to play and it appeared as though the Wild might pull off the victory. But the Canucks took it to the Wild the rest of the way even after Vanek got the equalizer, it appeared the Wild were just holding on hoping to get at least a point.

They did that but squandered the all important second point and the W in the process.

With the point the Wild have drawn within 2 points of St. Louis with the same number of games played. The Central Division is tight with nine points separating top and bottom. Nashville has three and four games in hand on most of the Division teams and currently sit 3 points back of Winnipeg, so the gap could open a bit. The fact remains that this division will be in constant change from one night to next.

The bye week is here now for the Wild, but when it is over the boys need to be ready to play. A Hockey Day in Minnesota celebration will wrap up with the Wild hosting League leading Tampa.

Follow me on Twitter @dwallace17

Join the Discussion: » 1 Comments » Post New Comment

» Walker Up, Goligoski On LTIR

» Wild Look To Tighten Up The D Zone

» New Season Of Hope For Wild

» Kirill Gets The "A"

» Zuccarello Extended For 2 Years