Physical Play Key To Minnesota Wild's Game 3 Win
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The cuts and bruises on Stephane Veilleux's face said it all.
“Yeah, that’s playoffs hockey,” the veteran Wild forward said. “That’s what it’s about -- paying the price for your teammates.”
If ever there was a time to say “you should see the other guy,” it was last night.
The Wild took it to the Blackhawks physically, out-hitting them 34-13. It showed.
“That’s the way we wanna play,” forward Charlie Coyle said. “When we play that way, we got a good result. And that’s what we wanted. (If) we stick with that physical play and stick to our structure and our systems, then we’ll play good.”
“Everybody (brought) their “A game,” Veilleux said. “And I think next game, it’ll be even more important to put another gear to our game, and just play the same way. But even harder. And come out hard and hopefully the result will be on our side.”
The Wild know the Hawks won't just back down. They expect a pushback in Game 4, both figuratively and literally.
“I’m expecting them to play a more physical game, and more grinding game,” Wild coach Mike Yeo said. “Part of the challenge for us next game will be to brace against their pushback. We know that they’re gonna come hard, and (I’m) anxious to see how we respond against that.”
“We’re all gonna be hungry,” Veilleux said. “It’s huge, and I think if we stick to our plan, I like our chances.”
