DALLAS — In an exciting overtime finish, Brock Faber netted a wraparound goal just 35 seconds into the extra period, leading the Minnesota Wild to a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over the Dallas Stars on Friday night. The Wild overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period to secure the win, showcasing their resilience on the road.
The Wild’s rally began with Jonas Brodin and Marcus Foligno lighting the lamp just 57 seconds apart in the third period, which leveled the score. With this victory, Minnesota bolstered its position as the top team in the league with 29 points obtained on the road, boasting a record of 13 wins, 3 losses, and 3 overtime losses. Filip Gustavsson was instrumental in the win, making 27 saves throughout the contest.
The Stars initially took control of the game with Evgenii Dadonov and Wyatt Johnston each contributing a goal and an assist. Their efforts provided Dallas with a commanding 2-0 advantage heading into the final period. Jake Oettinger, a goaltender from Minnesota, recorded 15 saves for the Stars, who are currently struggling at home, having gone 0-2-1 over their last three games on home ice.
Faber’s decisive goal came after he received a pass from Matt Boldy at center ice during the first shift of overtime. He maneuvered behind the net, where Oettinger appeared to lose track of the puck, ultimately allowing Faber to score as he did not defend the left post.
In a notable absence, the Wild competed without their key forward Kirill Kaprizov, who ranks among the league’s top scorers with 23 goals and 50 points, sidelined due to a lower body injury. The Stars faced their own challenges as Mason Marchment exited late in the first period after taking a puck to the face, leaving Dallas one player short for the remainder of the match.
Additionally, Minnesota was missing forward Joel Eriksson Ek, who has not played for 11 consecutive games due to a lower body issue, and defenseman Jacob Middleton, out for his seventh straight game because of an upper body injury.
Key takeaways from the game include how the Wild, after a lengthy 2½-hour flight, gained energy and momentum in the third period. In contrast, the Stars struggled on the power play, failing to convert on three opportunities and now holding the league’s lowest home power play percentage at 9.8% (6 for 61).
A crucial moment in the match came when Foligno’s shot deflected off the post, allowing Minnesota to equalize at 11:32 in the third period. In terms of statistics, despite being outshot 22-9 during the first two periods, the Wild outshot the Stars 8-7 in the third and registered the only shot during overtime.
Looking ahead, the Wild will host the Ottawa Senators on Sunday, while the Stars are set to visit the Chicago Blackhawks.
