Russo StarTribune.com chat today at noon; Wild prospects fall

Good morning. I will be hosting a live chat today on startribune.com at noon CT, so please stop back with Wild and NHL questions.

As for the Wild prospects currently playing in Traverse City, the Wild won't be repeating as tournament champions. The prospects are currently 1-2 in the tournament, falling 3-1 yesterday.

Here is the news release from the Wild:

Despite the team generating countless offensive opportunities and goalie Matt
Hackett blocking 26 shots, the Minnesota Wild was unable to top the Columbus
Blue Jackets, falling 3-1 in its third game of the Traverse City Prospects
Tournament tonight.

While the team created plenty of offensive chances, Assistant General Manager
Brent Flahr said players tried to over-pass the puck on many occasions rather
than shooting it, making them unable to finish their plays. "We had some
offensive chances but tried to get a little too cute at times," he said.

Turnovers proved to be a large factor in the Wild's defeat as well, as two Blue
Jackets' goals came on intercepted passes. "It's something to learn from," Flahr
said. "Hopefully we'll find a way to come back tomorrow and win the game."

Mike Thomas notched the first goal of the night for Columbus with under a minute
remaining in the first period. But the Wild scored three minutes into the second
stanza on what Flahr called a "textbook goal," evening the tally at 1-1.

"It's something a lot of coaches practice," Flahr said. "It was a good play and
it got us back in the game. Unfortunately, we couldn't keep going."
A turnover on the offensive blue line created a breakaway, and Michael Chaput
reclaimed the lead for Columbus on a clean goal with 2:17 remaining in the
second.

Three minutes into the third, the Wild gave up another turnover, this time
inside the defensive zone. Tyler Johnson was able to capitalize and solidify the
3-1 finish.

Flahr said the game provided an opportunity for growth among Wild prospects. "It
was disappointing, but I think the guys can learn from it and hopefully we'll be
ready to play tomorrow."

The Wild face Dallas Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in the tournament's fifth-place game.