Preseason Game One: Minnesota 2, Columbus 1

Preseason hockey is always rough, at least at the very beginning. Like every other sport, coaches are trying to get used to players, players are trying to get used to their teammates, and the officials are trying to remember how to call the game itself. To top that off, at least with regards to the Wild, if you don't have a ticket for the game, you aren't going to see (or hear) anything while it's happening, and need to rely on other media the next day.

Well, one thing that it seems everyone can agree on is that, while the Wild won the game 2-1, it wasn't pretty. Penalties called left and right, including, according to some scribes, some questionable calls (and one very questionable call that could result in Danny Irmen being sent back to Houston soon), and a lot of time spent by both teams on the power play or penalty kill. Of course, special teams can often be what wins hockey games, and the lone Blue Jackets goal came on the power play.

The other thing everyone seems to be in agreement on? Benoit Pouliot. From what we've read thus far, the kid just plain out-skated everybody last night at the Xcel, put some terrific moves out on the ice, and played a very solid game. It sure won't hurt his chances of locking down that 4th line center spot (which might lead to a quick promotion to 3rd line, behind Koivu and Sheppard) to have a solid game. And, by all accounts, his 3rd period game-winner was a beautiful backhand, and it helped to remind the fans that they weren't just watching a march to the penalty box.

Tomorrow, the Wild head to Chicago to face the Blackhawks. We'll probably be back after the weekend to see what we can find on that game. We're also watching to see which big names get sent down from the NHL club, just in case there are any surprises (and to see if Irmen really did shoot himself in the foot with that boarding call).