ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Maroon and gold night wasn't just for Mariucci Arena, where the University of Minnesota men's hockey team hosted Michigan in an attempt to take control of the Big Ten conference.
The Gophers -- at least former ones -- were having a big night for the Minnesota Wild.
The Wild's eighth win in nine games was powered by four goals from three former University of Minnesota players. Thomas Vanek scored twice, Jordan Schroeder added another in the first period and Erik Haula scored in the third in the Wild's 6-3 win against the Carolina Hurricanes.
"It doesn't matter who scored but that's one way of looking at it," said Haula, who scored his fifth goal of the season and first in 10 games.
The former Gophers scored more in St. Paul than the current Gophers did across town in Minneapolis. The University of Minnesota team won 2-0 against Michigan to sweep the weekend series.
Vanek scored 1 minute, 15 seconds into the game on a wide-open net after goaltender Anton Khudobin and the Carolina defense skated over to focus on Mikael Granlund. Granlund slid the puck across the ice for an easy goal by Vanek. Vanek added his 12th of the season, his first back in Minnesota, about 7 minutes later.
The Wild have scored first in 10 of their last 13 games, winning each game.
Vanek was drafted fifth overall out of Minnesota by the Buffalo Sabres in 2003. He had his first two-goal game as a member of the Wild and three points in a game for the second time this season. Vanek also assisted on Nate Prosser's game-winning goal.
"I think it (is) just a tribute to the way Van played tonight," Prosser said. "He stepped up huge. When guys are down and injured, we need him scoring and that's what he's doing."
Schroeder, a first-round draft pick by Vancouver at No. 22 in 2009, scored for the second time in four games, his first goals for the Wild after signing in the offseason.
"I actually talked to our goalie coach (Bob Mason) before the game," Schroeder said. "He said anywhere blocker and just rip it."
Haula, a third-round draft pick by the Wild in 2009, received a fortunate bounce to score his goal. Haula went hard to the net where a Kyle Brodziak goal deflected off Haula's skate and over Khudobin for a momentum-grabbing goal early in the third.
"It was nice to get a bounce," Haula said. "I feel like they've kind of hit me in the ankles lately, but now it's nice to get one. It feels good. Winning always feels better. It was important to get this win before this big road trip."
Minnesota leaves Sunday for a three-game trip through western Canada beginning with Monday's game in Vancouver.
For one night, everything went right for the Gophers and former Gophers, on two teams trying to put themselves back in postseason contention.
"They need to win; we need to win," Vanek said. "Good day for all of us."
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