In Game 1, the 3rd-seeded ’14-’15 Wild scored three goals in the second period as they held a 4-2 lead going into the third. However, the 6th-seeded ’12-’13 Wild staged a comeback in the third. They scored four goals in the third period as the ’14-’15 Wild scored just one as the game ended regulation tied 5-5. Each team then posted 11 shots on goal in the overtime, but neither could find a way to score. So, the game went into a second overtime where Mikko Koivu potted the game-winner just three minutes and change into the period for the ’12-’13 Wild. The ’12-’13 Wild wouldn’t need overtime to win Game 2, despite being outshot 50-32. Devin Setoguchi scored twice and defenseman Jonas Brodin and forwards Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Matt Cullen all notched multi-point games in the win. The ’14-’15 Wild got on the board in the series with a 3-2 win in Game 3 as Zach Parise scored two goals, including a PP marker in the second period.

After a goal from each team in the third period of Game 4, the game went into overtime tied 1-1, but Jason Pominville scored just 18 seconds in to tie the series up 2-2 for the ’14-’15 Wild. Then, in Game 6, a PP goal from Parise in the third period gave the ’12-’13 Wild a 2-1 lead, which would be the final. With their backs up against the wall now, the ’14-’15 Wild scored three goals in the third period to lead them to a 5-2 win. Koivu, defenseman Mathew Dumba and forwards Nino Niederreiter, Kyle Brodziak and Chris Stewart all posted two points in the win. Then, in Game 7, the ’14-’15 Wild held a 2-0 lead after the first period thanks a goal each from Brodziak and Jason Zucker. Zucker then notched a goal on the PP early in the third to give them a 3-0 lead. Parise scored on the PP halfway through the period to get the ’12-’13 Wild on the board. Then, Koivu scored with just a little more than one minute left in regulation to make it a one-goal game. However, under a minute left, the ’12-’13 Wild took a penalty and, with their goaltender pulled, allowed an empty-netter to seal their defeat in Game 7 and in the series.

GAME 1:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’12-’13 MIN – 6   ’14-’15 MIN – 5   (OT)   (1-0 ’12-’13 MIN)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: C – Mikko Koivu (’12-’13 MIN) – 2 G   2 A   4 P   +3   6 S

2nd Star: LW – Zach Parise (’12-’13 MIN) – 1 G   2 A   3 P   +3   4 S

3rd Star: D – Jonas Brodin (’12-’13 MIN) – 1 G   1 A   2 P   +5   3 S

GAME 2:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’12-’13 MIN – 5   ’14-’15 MIN – 3   (2-0 ’12-’13 MIN)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: G – Niklas Backstrom (’12-’13 MIN) – W   3.00 GAA   .940 SV% (47 SV’s)

2nd Star: RW – Devin Setoguchi (’12-’13 MIN) – 2 G   0 A   2 P   +1   8 S

3rd Star: RW – Pierre-Marc Bouchard (’12-’13 MIN) – 1 G   1 A   2 P   +2   2 S

GAME 3:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’14-’15 MIN – 3   ’12-’13 MIN – 2   (2-1 ’12-’13 MIN)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: LW – Zach Parise (’14-’15 MIN) – 2 G   0 A   2 P   +2   8 S

2nd Star: G – Devan Dubnyk (’14-’15 MIN) – W   2.00 GAA   .951 SV% (39 SV’s)

3rd Star: C – Mikko Koivu (’14-’15 MIN) – 1 G   0 A   1 P   +2   8 S

GAME 4:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’14-’15 MIN – 2   ’12-’13 MIN – 1   (OT)   (2-2)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: G – Devan Dubnyk (’14-’15 MIN) – W   1.00 GAA   .976 SV% (40 SV’s)

2nd Star: G – Niklas Backstrom (’12-’13 MIN) – OTL   2.00 GAA   .953 SV% (41 SV’s)

3rd Star: RW – Jason Pominville (’14-’15 MIN) – 1 G   1 A   2 P   +2   6 S

GAME 5:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’12-’13 MIN – 2   ’14-’15 MIN – 1   (3-2 ’12-’13 MIN)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: G – Niklas Backstrom (’12-’13 MIN) – W   1.00 GAA   .975 SV% (39 SV’s)

2nd Star: G – Devan Dubnyk (’14-’15 MIN) – L   2.00 GAA   .939 SV% (31 SV’s)

3rd Star: RW – Devin Setoguchi (’12-’13 MIN) – 1 G   0 A   1 P   +1   4 S

GAME 6:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’14-’15 MIN – 5   ’12-’13 MIN – 2   (3-3)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: RW – Nino Niederreiter (’14-’15 MIN) – 2 G   0 A   2 P   Even   4 S

2nd Star: D – Matt Dumba (’14-’15 MIN) – 1 G   1 A   2 P   +1   2 S

3rd Star: C – Kyle Brodziak (’14-’15 MIN) – 0 G   2 A   2 P   +2   1 S

GAME 7:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’14-’15 MIN – 4   ’12-’13 MIN – 2   (4-3 ’14-’15 MIN)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: LW – Jason Zucker (’14-’15 MIN) – 2 G   1 A   3 P   +3   3 S

2nd Star: C – Kyle Brodziak (’14-’15 MIN) – 1 G   1 A   2 P   +3   5 S

3rd Star: G – Niklas Backstrom (’12-’13 MIN) – L   3.00 GAA   .935 SV% (43 SV’s)

That wraps up the First Round of the 2015 Minnesota Wild Qualifying Tournament! The Semifinal Round takes place tomorrow!