After a 3 game slide in Canada, the Wild find their game while (not surprisingly) playing at the Xcel Energy Center. Its no secret that the Wild seem to play much better at home, and Sunday night they showed the depth and potency of an injured offense. With Koivu still out due to the injury sustained last week against Vancouver, Dimitra still nursing an injured groin, and Walz on a leave of absence, the Wild were left with 3 centers, and they really stepped up their game. James Sheppard tallied 2 points with 2 assists, and Foy and Voros marked 1 goal each, making this line of young prospects the most productive line of the game.   Foy received the game puck, after scoring his first goal in the NHL since the 2005 - 2006 season. Harding who started made 27 saves, and played solid between the pipes.

Hopefully the Wild can start a streak continuing against Vancouver at Xcel this Wednesday.

As things escilated out of control last Friday against Vancouver, it would seem the guys over at NHL headquarters in Toronto missed something. Like the fact that Ohlund’s two-handed cheap shot on Koivu broke his tibula. Koivu is currently listed for evaluation next Monday, at which time we will receive any updated information, while Ohlund gets away with only a 4 game suspension. How can something so obviously deliberate, and meant to injure, be equal to only a four game suspension?

Of coarse Boogaard had his say about the cheap shot:
“Their so-called agitators were taking liberties,” he said. “As soon as I stepped on the ice, they just sort of spread out and scattered to their holes almost. They don’t want to come near me or talk to me. But they think they can slash and stick and punch our skill guys. I’m not going to stand for it.”

The Wild’s next test will come this Sunday when they take on the Colorado Avalanche, at home. The Wild has statistically played much better at the Xcel Energy Center.

• More about the NHL’s less than severe punishment policy.
• Video Clip of Ohlund’s Cheap shot on Mikko Koivu.