Nolan burns Isles late in Wild defeat

November 21, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Owen Nolan’s late goal in regulation burned the Islanders as the Wild cameback to defeat them 3-2 last night at Excel Energy Center in St. Paul. The wily vet accounted for two of Minnesota’s three goals in what amounted to a disappointment for the visitors, who fell to 2-1-2 on their seven-game road trip.

“We’ve had a lot of good hockey,” coach Scott Gordon pointed out. “This was our first loss, and from my side of it it very well could’ve been a win.”

His club blew a one-goal lead after two. In particular, their power play let them down failing to convert on six chances including a couple of key ones in the third with the game up for grabs. Instead, it was the Wild who buried such an opportunity when captain Mikko Koivu tapped in a Marek Zidlicky feed to tie the game with 13:02 remaining. Andrew Brunette got the other helper.

A game they had led 2-1 thanks to second period markers from unlikely source Jon Sim and Josh Bailey still was there for the taking. Especially when a couple of undisciplined Minny penalties gave them a chance to redeem themselves. But the Islanders failed to capitalize on both and ultimately, would pay the price.

“I thought that we had some great chances that we just didn’t cash in on,” Gordon added. “If we cash in on them, point-blank opportunities, we’re not even talking about giving up a bad goal in the third.”

With under two minutes to go, the seesaw contest seemed destined for overtime. Where many Islander games have gone this season. Instead, disaster struck when Nolan got behind the D and took an Eric Belanger left point feed and beat Martin Biron point blank for the deciding tally with only 67 seconds left. It was his second of the game after opening the scoring by surprising Biron from a sharp angle back in the first. On the play, Blake Comeau failed to clear the zone thanks to some nifty work from James Sheppard, who combined with Belanger to setup Nolan on the doorstep.

“It gives the young guys a great opportunity to step in and show what they’ve got. They have to bring the energy, and I thought they did a good job with that,” the pumped up elder statesman said of his big night.

“It just caught me by surprise,” Biron acknowledged after making 26 stops in his first start in a week. “It hit the inside of my paddle, and after that I had no idea where it went.”

“This game is the way it is sometimes. You let some opportunities slip, and you lose these types of games.”

So, the Isles’ streak of gaining at least a point in their last five (3-0-2) came to an end. Now, they’ll look to bounce back later tonight when they visit St. Louis. Figure Dwayne Roloson to be back in and oppose Chris Mason. Defenseman Brendan Witt didn’t play last night with Gordon opting to keep Andrew MacDonald in. Perhaps the vet returns tonight.

One other note from last night. There was a fun scrap between Nate Thompson and Nathan Smith that took place early on with each getting some good shots in. Thompson got off to a good start but Smith came on late. Tim Jackman also had a fight with Shane Hnidy.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Mikko Koivu, Min (tying PPG, 4 SOG in 22:04)

2nd Star-Jon Sim, NYI (goal/assist, 2 SOG, +2 in 10:34)

1st Star-Owen Nolan, Min (2 goals incl. GW with 1:07 left in regulation, 3 SOG, +1 in 17:29)