Instant Replay: Wild 2, Flyers 0

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BOX SCORE

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- On a day that went from nice and balmy, by Minnysnowda standards, to a raging snow storm, things were pretty dull inside Xcel Energy Center.

Both the Flyers and Wild didn’t seem to have their “A” game. Or “B” game for that matter.

There were long stretches in which not much happened.

For instance, the Flyers had 10 shots through 40 minutes but none of them were really quality in nature that would have required goalie Josh Harding to make a difficult save.

The game meandered along until ... the Wild scored twice in less than a minute early in the third period to put it away, 2-0.

This was the second of a six-game, 12-day road trip for the Flyers.

Mikko Koivu’s incredible behind-the-back blind pass into the slot to Jason Pominville at 3:52 broke a scoreless tie.

Both Flyers defensemen Braydon Coburn and Kimmo Timonen looked badly out of place on the goal.

Then Ray Emery gave a juicy rebound off Jared Spurgeon’s shot and Charlie Coyle was right there to make it 2-0. Boring game over.

Up next
The Flyers chartered out after the game directly to Detroit for their game on Wednesday night.

Injuries
Vinny Lecavalier missed the game with back spasms (see story). He is day to day. General manager Paul Holmgren said he was “hopeful” Lecavalier plays Wednesday in Detroit.

Nothing
Eight minutes into the game, there was just a combined five shots with the Flyers having just one. The arena was deadly quiet.

Big hit
Wild center Coyle delivered it on Andrej Meszaros early, hurdling him awkwardly into the side boards. Meszaros had his right shoulder worked on at the bench but returned.

Score first
This was the first time in eight games the Wild scored first.

World Juniors
Flyers prospects Scott Laughton and Taylor Leier were both named to Team Canada’s World Junior camp roster.

Saves
Emery had a couple of quality saves through two periods, including denying Erik Haulu from point blank range in the slot in the first period. He also had a couple saves on Zach Parise, including stopping him on a two-on-one rush in the second period.

Penalties
The Flyers got hit with yet another delay of game penalty. This one by Claude Giroux in the second period. In eight games since Nov. 19, the Flyers have been hit with delay of game penalties six times.

Special teams
Through two periods, there were just two power plays -- both by the Wild. And no shots. Nothing happened. The Flyers and Wild both were 0 for 2 on the power play.

Blown chance
Behind 2-0 near the midway mark of the third period, the Flyers got their first power play of the night and faced a must-score situation. Harding made a terrific stop on Jakub Voracek. It was their best shot on the power play.

Playoff spot
With the Rangers and Devils both losing, the Flyers could have tied the Rangers in points with 28. The Rangers have the third playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division.

Fights
Jay Rosehill earned a slight decision over Mike Rupp in their second-period fight (see video).

Scratches
Defensemen Hal Gill and Erik Gustafsson were healthy scratches.

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