Minnesota Wild vs San Jose Sharks: Game Recap

For San Jose perspective, please visit our friends at Fear The Fin.

To top it off, Max Jablonski, younger brother of injured high school player Jack Jablonski, was the honorary flag bearer. Max wore his brother's sweater on the ice, rather than the traditional Wild sweater the kids wear. The entire scene was very heart warming.

Shortly thereafter, during the first TV timeout, the PA announced Cullen's 1000th game, and the crowd rose to its feet to let him know the efforts were appreciated. The next timeout brought the fans' chance to welcome Burns home. The welcome was warm, but timid. A bit disappointing, to be honest.

The second period seemingly flew by, with an up tempo game from both sides. The refs continued to be very quick on the whistle with pucks around the goaltenders, which actually cost the Wild a goal. The really strange part was that he didn't blow the whistle, which led to Wellman jumping in late, scoring, it being called dead, and all hell breaking loose. Refs need to decide if the puck is dead or not and let the players know. Just a thought.

All in all it was a pretty good effort, until the last ten minutes of the third. For a team that needed a win... a win's a win. The happy story lines win out tonight, with the loss of Bouchard and the discipline of Setoguchi taking a back seat for one night.

They needed this one.