TAMPA, FLA.— As Wild players ripped off tape, unlaced skates and removed pads Thursday night, forwards Kyle Brodziak and Cal Clutterbuck sat at stalls 20 feet apart still wearing wet gear and staring irritably at the ground.
With the Wild in full control and en route to what looked like a cinch of a third consecutive victory, a pair of mistakes by Brodziak and Clutterbuck on one play midway through the third period led to a Tampa Bay Lightning goal and the Wild's eventual downfall in a 4-3 shootout loss.
"I made a terrible play at the red line. My mistake cost us the game. I take responsibility for this," Clutterbuck said, dejectedly.
"No, I've got a make a better play," Brodziak insisted.
| Movie Finder |
It was a disappointing finish because the Wild had outplayed the Lightning in virtually every facet. But with the Wild ahead 3-1 on goals by Benoit Pouliot, Kim Johnsson and Owen Nolan, the Brodziak/Clutterbuck gaffes led to Steve Downie's goal.
Then after Marek Zidlicky took his second minor penalty of the third period with 1 minute, 18 seconds left, former St. Cloud State Husky Ryan Malone sent the game to overtime with 14.7 seconds left.
"We have to know what we're doing in the last two minutes," said goalie Niklas Backstrom, who had to face a 6-on-3 disadvantage late in Tuesday's victory at Toronto. "We can't take penalties every night. We got away with it last game. Lesson learned today."
In the shootout, the Lightning, which hadn't scored a single goal in four previous shootout losses, got goals from Vincent Lecavalier and Steven Stamkos to cap the Tampa Bay thievery.