Perhaps feeling like they returned to the scene of the crime, Minnesota Wild players practiced for more than an hour Friday at the Pepsi Center.
“We have to have a short-term memory,” Wild defeseman Marco Scandella said.
Minnesota is regrouping after blowing a 4-2 third-period lead Thursday night and losing Game 1 of its series against the Avalanche 5-4 in overtime. It was back to work for the Wild on Friday as Avalanche regulars did not skate at the team’s practice facility in Centennial.
“I thought we played a pretty good game. It stinks to give up that goal right at the end (of regulation), but that’s hockey and we have to learn from that and move on,” Minnesota captain Mikko Koivu said. “Just forget that one and get ready for Game 2.”
The Wild certainly wasn’t hanging its collective head. Players seemed upbeat about tying the series 1-1 in Saturday night’s Game 2 in Denver.
“We had good intensity, but we have to find a way to get the win,” Scandella said. “It’s part of being a pro. It’s not the first time in my career that I’ve had a tough loss. You just have to bounce back. It’s exciting. It’s the playoffs, a series, not one game, and you always have a chance to come back.”
Mike Chambers: mchambers@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikechambers
