{coyotes} Kuemper's third shutout leads Wild past Coyotes

Thursday 23 October 2014

{coyotes} Kuemper's third shutout leads Wild past Coyotes

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ST. PAUL, Minn. -- If Minnesota Wild goaltender Darcy Kuemper keeps this up, he might set a few records this season.

Kuemper made 26 saves in leading Minnesota to a 2-0 win against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday at Xcel Energy Center. It was his third shutout in four starts this season and second in as many starts at home.

The Wild survived an energetic first few minutes by the Coyotes, who had the first three shots on goal of the game in the opening 60 seconds. The first period was Arizona's best in terms of quality chances, but Kuemper seemed more comfortable as the game went on.

The Coyotes pulled goaltender Mike Smith for an extra attacker with 1:48 left in regulation, but Kuemper preserved the shutout with a point-blank stop on Mikkel Boedker with just under a minute to play.

Minnesota gave Kuemper all the offensive support he needed by scoring twice in less than three minutes early in the second period.

The Wild went ahead at 2:53 when defenseman Jared Spurgeon ripped a shot from the point that was tipped by Charlie Coyle and went past Smith. It was the second goal of the season for Coyle, who signed a five-year, $16 million contract extension with Minnesota on Wednesday.

It became 2-0 at 5:27 when Wild forward Jason Pominville scored in transition after a nifty setup pass by Spurgeon, who had his 10th career multiple-point game. It was Pominville's second goal of the season.

Those were the only shots to beat Smith, who had allowed 16 goals in his first three appearances. He finished with 27 saves.

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