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DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Wild know they don't have the best talent in the world. But they also know they're in first place. The surprise of the NHL after finishing last in their division each of their first two seasons, the Wild moved atop the Western Conference standings with a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Facing a roster full of future Hall of Famers, the Wild got goals from Wes Walz, Richard Park and Rickard Wallin and matched Dallas for the best record in the West while leapfrogging Vancouver in the Northwest Division. "We never really had a goal of that to start the season," Walz said. "All we wanted to do was to be as competitive as we can be. We try our best not to beat ourselves." Dwayne Roloson made 36 saves to stretch his personal unbeaten streak to seven games and help snap Detroit's five-game unbeaten run (4-0-1). Minnesota improved to 2-6-1-1 all-time against the defending Stanley Cup champions. "We know we don't have the most talented team in the league," Walz said. "If other teams don't match our work ethic, we have a pretty good chance to win." Acquired from Phoenix for Joe Juneau two years ago, Wallin scored the decisive goal with 8:27 left in the second period, chipping the puck over Curtis Joseph following some confusion and a bad bounce behind the net. Making his NHL debut, Walling scored his first goal on his first shot. "It was coming around the net," said Joseph, who made 20 saves. "I was going to stop it for (Chris) Chelios, but it hit a seam and bounced out beside the net." Brendan Shanahan got Detroit within a goal on the power play 3:09 into the third period, but Minnesota's defensive style frustrated the Red Wings, who scored fewer than three goals for just the second time in nine games. "Frustrating is a good word," Joseph said. "They controlled the neutral zone and tried to capitalize on their chances. They capitalized on their chances tonight." Boyd Devereaux scored his first goal of the season for the Wings, who held a 38-23 advantage in shots and took advantage of their only power play. Their were only three power plays during the game. "Some nights you play well and lose. Some nights you don't play so well and still win," Red Wings coach Dave Lewis said. "From the way it looked from the bench, I thought we deserved a better fate tonight." Devereaux opened the scoring with 7:43 left in the first period before the Wild reeled off three straight goals. Walz scored on a 4-on-4, one-timing Nick Schultz's diagonal pass as he glided toward the left goalpost, tying the game with 5:46 left in the first period. Park and Wallin then scored 2:05 apart in the second period. Park gave Minnesota the lead for good at 9:28, when he knocked a rebound into a vacant net after Joseph lost his balance making a kick save. Walz also had an assist for the Wild, who aren't getting ahead of themselves, even after beating an NHL powerhouse. "A win is a win," said Roloson, who improved to 4-0-3 in his last seven starts. "As a team, we believe we can beat anybody. That's how we play." |
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