National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Minnesota 3, San Jose 1
When: 6:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 8, 2013
Where: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Referees: Chris Rooney, Kelly Sutherland
Linesmen: Brad Lazarowich, Jay Sharrers
Attendance: 18411


Wild 3, Sharks 1: Zach Parise scored a pair of goals and Josh Harding made 37 saves as Minnesota posted its third straight home victory.

Captain Mikko Koivu also tallied for the Wild, who registered only 13 shots in extending their home winning streak against San Jose to six games. The victory was the 13th of the season at home for Minnesota, tying it with Boston for the league lead.

Patrick Marleau scored the lone goal for the Sharks, who completed a 1-3-0 road trip with their third consecutive loss. Antti Niemi turned aside 10 shots as San Jose outshot Minnesota 27-8 over the final two periods.

After a scoreless first session, Minnesota gave Harding all the offensive support he needed just over eight minutes into the second.

Defenseman Marco Scandella unleashed a shot from the left point that was blocked in front. Parise grabbed the puck and backhanded it past Niemi at 3:55 as the goaltender was tied up with Jason Pominville.

The Wild made it 2-0 at 8:11 as Koivu accepted a drop pass from defenseman Jared Spurgeon at the right point and cut to the top of the slot before beating Niemi high to the stick side.

Marleau spoiled Harding's bid for his league-best fourth shutout with 1:41 remaining in the third, collecting the rebound of defenseman Matt Irwin's shot from the left point and tucking it around the netminder and inside the left post. Parise ended San Jose's comeback hopes by firing the puck into an empty net with six seconds to play.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The two-goal performance was Parise's third of the season and first since Nov. 5 against Calgary. ... San Jose captain Joe Thornton was kept off the scoresheet, ending his eight-game point streak. ... Pominville picked up an assist but saw his goal-scoring drought reach nine contests. He now shares the team lead with Parise, who reached the 14-goal plateau with his pair.

Top Game Performances
 
San Jose   Minnesota
Patrick Marleau 1 Points Zach Parise 2
Patrick Marleau 1 Goals Zach Parise 2
Logan Couture 1 Assists Marco Scandella 2
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Antti Niemi .833 Save Percentage Josh Harding .974
Antti Niemi 10 Saves Josh Harding 37
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
San Jose 38 1 0-4 2-2 4 29
Minnesota 13 3 0-2 4-4 8 35
Upcoming Games
  • Minnesota will play their next game on the road against Anaheim. The Wild have a W/L % of .647 after a win and .467 after a loss.
  • San Jose will play their next game at home against NY Islanders. The Sharks have a W/L % of .750 after a win and .400 after a loss.