Defenseman Nick Schultz and former center Wes Walz, two of the best players in Wild history, today unveiled the best games in Wild history as chosen by Wild fans. Appearing at the FAN Central building at the Minnesota State Fair today, the duo revealed the ten games, and either Schultz, Walz or both played in every one of them.
In a surprise to no one in attendance, the Wild’s 3-2 Game Seven overtime victory over the Colorado Avalanche in the 2003 Western Conference quarterfinals. Coming in at number two was the Wild’s 6-0 blitzing of the Dallas Stars in their first-ever return to Minnesota after leaving the state seven years earlier.
Games three through 10 are as follows:
3. Wild 6, Blackhawks 5 – January 9, 2010
Trailing 5-1 against the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Wild rattled off four third period goals, including Guillaume Latendresse’s tally with less than two minutes remaining. After a scoreless overtime, Owen Nolan scored in the 11th round of a shootout, followed by a Josh Harding save.
4. Wild 3, Avalanche 2 – April 21, 2003
Richard Park and Marian Gaborik both scored third period goals, only to see the Avalanche tie it in the waning minutes. Enter Park, who darted up the right wing and found a couple inches of open space between Patrick Roy’s pads for the overtime winner.
5. Wild 4, Canucks 2 – May 8, 2003
The Wild’s magical season appeared doomed when the Canucks built a 2-0 lead in Game Seven of the Western Conference semifinals. But Pascal Dupuis’ batted puck into the goal started a Wild rally in which Walz tied the game, and Darby Hendrickson slapped home the game-winnner.
6. Wild 6, Rangers 3 – December 20, 2007
It was Gaborik’s night, when almost everything he touched turned into a goal. Almost is the key word, because after he electrified the crowd with five goals, he nearly picked up a sixth, but was stopped on a breakaway.
7. Wild 3, Flames 1 – April 3, 2008
Two goals by Gaborik, and another by Todd “Fridge” Fedoruk capped off the Wild’s home portion of the 2007-2008 season, giving the crowd a Division title on Fan Celebration Night.
8. Wild 3, Flyers 3 – October 11, 2000
The only non-win on this list gets a pass because of the way the Wild performed in the first-ever game at Xcel Energy Center. As if it was planned, Richfield’s Hendrickson scored the first-ever goal at the new arena, and the Wild fought to a tie against one of the most storied franchises in the NHL.
9. Wild 5, Canucks 1 – May 7, 2003
Faced with yet another elimination game in the 2003 playoffs, the Wild stormed past the Canucks to force a Game Seven the next night.
10. Wild 6, Lightning 5 – October 18, 2000
Minnesota hockey fans waited a long time to celebrate a win after the North Stars departed. A thrilling 6-5 win over the Lightning quenched that thirst.
Duration : 0:6:21
20 comments on “Top 10 Games In Minnesota Wild History”
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I was at 3 and 6… …
I was at 3 and 6…sickest games ever!
It doesn’t get any …
It doesn’t get any better than this.
I LOVE WILD HOCKEY …
I LOVE WILD HOCKEY !! (:
@sportsfreak78 …
@sportsfreak78 serves him right for just going for money.
@sportsfreak78 …
@sportsfreak78 hahaa i love it. how much was it?
@iLoveBrucas13 The …
@iLoveBrucas13 The wild’s GM, Chuck Fletcher had the opportunity to match NY’s offer for Gaborik. Gaborik said if the wild would pay him as much as NY was going to, Gaborik would stay with the wild. Fletcher turned him down.
I gotta a question. …
I gotta a question.. lol.. does anyone know when gabrioks contract is almost up with new york rangers and if he wants to come back to minnesota?
@sportsfreak78 whos …
@sportsfreak78 whos fletcher?? and stay where?
one thing about …
one thing about Gabby is that he only played when he wanted to to he was selfish and rarely tried i was glad to see him go he was not worth the money
Imagine if the Wild …
Imagine if the Wild made the stanley cup finals in 03. I would LOVE to see that series against the devils, or the senators if they won. Screw the senators actually. Im a leafs fan. but GO wild !
best player in wild …
best player in wild history hands down marian gaborik.
Gaborik’s agent …
Gaborik’s agent called Fletcher and said if they would match NY’s offer Gaborik would stay. Fletcher said no.
I wanna witness …
I wanna witness Wild playoff overtime wins again.
Wild fan for life.
Wild fan for life.
watching this video …
watching this video makes me hate risebrough even more! how could u not re-sign Gabby u can just see the impact he made in this video! i agree with huzaifah123, gaborik was our franchise guy! as great as Koivu he is not Marian Gaborik!
@dc619 same …
@dc619 same feelings here… LOL
Philadelphia’s …
Philadelphia’s Peter White scored the first NHL goal in the building.
@huzaifah123 We did …
@huzaifah123 We did offer him a lot of money but he wanted a change in scenery. I hope now that when Okopso’s contract ends this year that he wants to come home
Always good to see …
Always good to see Vancouver lose….
Should have never …
Should have never let go of Gaborik<-Franchise Player