Losing streak proves to be coach Yeo's downfall with Wild
EDINA, Minn. (AP) A dramatic midseason slump for the third straight year and a poor outing Saturday to extend Minnesota's home winless streak led Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher to fire coach Mike Yeo.
The previous two seasons, Minnesota struggled in December before recovering to make the playoffs.
Faced with another extended losing streak and playoff chances slipping away, Fletcher replaced Yeo in the interim with John Torchetti, who has been coaching the club's American Hockey League affiliate in Iowa.
Fletcher spoke with reporters on Sunday. He thanked Yeo for stabilizing a franchise that had missed the playoffs four years in a row before adding stars Zach Parise and Ryan Suter in 2012. In Yeo's five seasons as coach, the Wild had a 173-132-44 record and reached the playoffs the past three seasons.
