Minnesota Wild lose NHL opener to Hurricanes
RECAP: Penalties and defensive lapses allowed Carolina to score four goals in less than 19 minutes to seize a 4-2 lead through two periods, then the Hurricanes held off the Wild in the third period to win 4-3 in the NHL season opener today in Helsinki.
Guillaume Latendresse put Minnesota in front 3:33 into the first period, but Brandon Sutter scored on a power play before Anton Babchuk's goal put Carolina ahead 2-1.
Matt Cullen's power-play goal tied the score for the Wild, but later his slashing penalty gave Carolina a five-on-three advantage and Jussi Jokinen scored to give the Hurricanes the lead. Sutter added his second goal at 18:03 of the second.
A power-play goal by Brent Burns pulled the Wild within one goal, with 3:20 left in the third period.
MEANING: Considered a Minnesota home game even though the game was played in Helsinki, this was a chance for the Wild to show improvement from last season's 13th-place finish in the West. The Wild had hoped to start fast this season, after losing nine of their first 13 games last season. They will get another shot at Carolina in a rematch Friday.
ETC.: Wild defenseman Marek Zidlicky sat out with a pulled groin, and forward Casey Wellman was the team's healthy scratch.
UP NEXT: vs. Hurricanes in Helsinki, 11 a.m. today, Versus TV and WCCO-AM 830.
-- Bruce Brothers
