Wild Fall to Golden Knights Despite Kaprizov’s Two Goals
Wallstedt Makes home Debut, But Wild Fall to Golden Knights
St. Paul,MN – Jesper wallstedt made his highly anticipated NHL home debut for the Minnesota wild on Tuesday night,but the rookie goaltender couldn’t secure the win as the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Wild 3-2.
Wallstedt,who backed up veteran Marc-Andre Fleury in Saturday’s win over the Philadelphia flyers,faced 24 shots in his first game at the Xcel Energy Center. Last season, Wallstedt’s NHL debut and subsequent appearances all came on the road.
“I was in the rink for a game less than 24 hours after I knew I was getting called up,” Wallstedt said. “So, it was quick, but fun being back and playing. But obviously I would have wanted the win.”
The Wild struck early, capitalizing just 1:30 into the first period. Kirill Kaprizov one-timed a no-look backhand pass from Mats Zuccarello, who skillfully pried the puck away from the Golden Knights along the boards.
Vegas responded on their only power play opportunity of the game. Victor Olofsson’s shot sailed past Wallstedt at 9:31, with Mark Stone providing a screen in front of the net.
The Golden Knights took the lead 6:04 into the second period after capitalizing on a Brock Faber turnover. A 4-on-3 rush culminated in Shea Theodore burying the puck behind Wallstedt.
Kaprizov, however, kept the wild in the game. With 3:04 remaining in the second period, he tallied his second goal of the night. After catching a deflected puck,Kaprizov dropped it to the ice and fired a shot past goaltender Ilya Samsonov.The puck lodged in the net, leading to a delayed reaction from the crowd.
“I just saw it was in,” Kaprizov said. “But fans no jumping and I’m like, ‘Here we go.’”
Despite Kaprizov’s heroics, the Wild couldn’t find the equalizer in the third period, falling to the Golden Knights 3-2.
Wallstedt’s Home Debut Ends in Defeat for Wild
St. Paul, MN – Rookie netminder Jesper Wallstedt’s highly anticipated home debut with the Minnesota Wild ended in a 3-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night.
Despite facing only 24 shots in his first game at Xcel Energy Center, Wallstedt couldn’t secure the win for the Wild.
“I was in the rink for a game less than 24 hours after I knew I was getting called up,” Wallstedt said. “So, it was fast, but fun being back and playing.But obviously I would have wanted the win.”
Kirill Kaprizov opened the scoring for the Wild just 1:30 into the first period, capitalizing on a slick no-look backhand pass from Mats Zuccarello.
Vegas evened the score on their only power play opportunity of the game when victor Olofsson’s shot beat Wallstedt at 9:31,with Mark Stone providing a screen in front.
The Golden Knights took the lead midway through the second period after a Brock Faber turnover led to a 4-on-3 rush, culminating in Shea Theodore’s goal.
Kaprizov brought the Wild back within one with his second goal of the night, firing a shot past ilya Samsonov with 3:04 remaining in the second period.
“I just saw it was in,” Kaprizov said.“But fans no jumping and I’m like, ‘Here we go.’”
Despite Kaprizov’s efforts, the Wild couldn’t find the equalizer in the third, falling to the Golden Knights 3-2.