Missed Opportunity for Wild as Hurricanes Storm Back
The Minnesota Wild sought a third straight victory and twice took one-goal leads before the Carolina Hurricanes fought back to secure a 4-3 win. Despite showing resilience, the Wild couldn’t find a finishing touch in a hard-fought contest.
Game Summary
Matt Boldy broke a scoring drought with two goals, while Brock Faber added his second of the season. Minnesota’s special teams maintained a strong recent run, yet Carolina answered every push to reclaim control.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t find a way to win the hockey game, but it was a hard-fought battle by both teams,” said Wild coach John Hynes. “They had pushes and surges, and we had pushes and surges. But, unfortunately, we weren’t the team to win it tonight.”
Goaltending and Team Effort
Filip Gustavsson made his 12th start of the season and allowed four goals on Carolina’s first eight shots before settling in with 23 saves. Despite a rough start, he highlighted the competitiveness of the matchup.
“This is a really good team we’re playing against, and we’re matching up against them pretty good today,” Gustavsson said.
Statistical Overview
- Final Score: Hurricanes 4, Wild 3
- Boldy: 2 goals
- Faber: 1 goal
- Gustavsson: 23 saves
- Wild record: 5–7–3 overall; 0–6–1 when trailing after the first period
Power Play Struggles
Minnesota earned the game’s first power play but failed to register a shot on goal, missing a key early opportunity.
Author’s Summary: The Wild’s early momentum faded as Carolina’s persistence and sharp finishing turned a balanced battle into a narrow road defeat for Minnesota.