Wings Fall to Wild in Preseason Opener

A shorthanded Detroit Red Wings team dropped their first exhibition game of the season Tuesday night, picking up a 3-2 loss against the Minnesota Wild.

The Red Wings skated without most of their expected regular season roster, leaving them behind in Traverse City and taking a lineup of prospects and try-outs to St. Paul.

The Wild opened the scoring with two quick goals on netminder Joey MacDonald.

Just 32 seconds in, Marion Gaborik ripped a shot from the left circle between MacDonald’s pads. Only 57 seconds later, Minnesota newcomer Pavol Demitra put in the rebound of a Brian Rolston shot to add to the lead.

The Red Wings bounced back with 3:16 remaining in the first, when Johan Franzen put a shot past goalie Manny Fernandez after a Minnesota defensive mix-up.

Eight minutes into the second period, try-out Boyd Devereaux banged in the rebound of a Krys Kolanos shot to even the game.

To start the third period, Stefan Liv replaced MacDonald in the Detroit crease. He allowed his only goal of the game 5:28 later, when Gaborik put the puck on net on a five-on-three, bouncing it in off of a body in front.

The Red Wings will play more of their regulars on Thursday when they host the Colorado Avalanche in their first home game of the exhibition season. Chris Osgood is expected to start in goal.