If you can beat the Flames, you can definitely beat the Edmonton Oilers and the Minnesota Wild did just that, beating the Oilers 5-2 last Monday at the Xcel.  With three top players out . . . 2 due to crazy injuries, the other a crazy head?!? – Wes Walz where are you? . . .a divisional point is a big deal right now.  

The three Wild stars weren't particularly missed as Mark Parrish stepped up and scored two of the four power play goals of the evening. The Minnesota Wild came out fast and never looked back. It was also nice to see Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster get an assist and score his first goal of the season. He fired off a long slap shot on a power play. I don’t think Oilers goalie Dwayne Roloson even saw it coming.

Other highlights include seeing Petteri Nummelin play up front. I know he is a defenseman by trade, but he looked comfortable playing in the wings and I don’t think we have seen the last of him yet.

"There's a lot of situations you don't really know where to go; you just go everywhere and try to work hard, skate everywhere," he said. "I probably skated too much at times. But I'm just happy to get into the lineup."

Asked if he would play any position to get on the ice, he quickly answered:

"Not goalie. Other than that, I don't care."

Good thing you are willing (and able!) to play up front Nummy, because I think coach Lemaire has a plan for you!

Let’s go Wild!