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Avalanche Overcome Wild at Xcel Energy Center in Close Encounter

The Colorado Avalanche, with a record of 3-2, edged out the Minnesota Wild, who now stand at 2-3 after the latest game. The final score read 3-2 in favor of the visitors.


Dec 14, 2023; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Alex Goligoski (33) in the third period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

In a closely contested match at the Xcel Energy Center, the Minnesota Wild were narrowly defeated by the Colorado Avalanche. Despite a valiant effort on home ice, where they managed to garner two points against their opponent's three, the Wild fell short. The game saw both teams scoring evenly across periods with one exception; while Colorado scored once in each period, Minnesota concentrated their efforts into a single period where they netted both their goals.


The Wild demonstrated resilience and determination throughout the match. They matched up to Colorado's physicality with ten hits and showcased defensive skills by blocking eighteen shots aimed at their goal. On offense, they took twenty-one shots on goal and converted two of these attempts into scores for an overall shooting percentage of roughly ten percent.


Minnesota's powerplay unit found success once during five opportunities as they capitalized on one chance to add to their tally. Their penalty kill was also noteworthy; despite conceding six powerplays to Colorado and facing ten shots while shorthanded, they allowed only one goal during these times.


Goaltending was crucial for both sides in this tight matchup. The Wild's goalie saved twenty-two out of twenty-five shots faced for an eighty-eight percent save rate but ultimately could not fend off all attempts by a persistent Avalanche offense that boasted twelve percent shooting accuracy.


As fans look ahead after this hard-fought battle on home ice that drew nearly nineteen thousand attendees into Xcel Energy Center’s stands, attention turns toward future games where Minnesota will seek redemption and improvement from this performance.


Looking forward to what lies ahead for the Minnesota Wild: fans can mark their calendars for November 26th when they face off against Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. This upcoming game is scheduled for 1 PM Eastern Time and will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN+ as well as regionally on BSDET channel 663 and BSN channel 668 or BSWIX channel 669-1 for those following from afar.

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