Red Wings Fall to Wild in Preseason Home Opener

The Detroit Red Wings played their first home game of the 2007 exhibition season Thursday night, dropping a 3-2 decision to the visiting Minnesota Wild.

Dominik Hasek started the game in the Detroit net, surrendering power play goals to Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Brent Burns on 13 shots against before Jimmy Howard took over in the Detroit crease.

Mark Hartigan got the Red Wings on the board, banging in the rebound after a shot from Matt Ellis rang off the post.

Minnesota picked up another power play goal when Brian Rolston was left all alone to pick up a pass at the back door, whipping a shot past Howard.

Mattias Ritola added Detroit’s second goal, puting a quick shot from the left circle off of a Minnesota defender and over the shoulder of Harding.

Harding finished the night with 28 saves on 30 shots. Howard made seven saves on the eight shots he faced.

The Red Wings will hit the ice again tomorrow when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins before visiting Pittsburgh on Saturday.