Wild's road skid hits seven in St. Louis

October 23, 10:21 PMMinnesota Wild ExaminerCharlie Beattie

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Niklas Backstrom gathers himself after David Perron's (57) shorthanded goal (AP Photo)

The good news is that the 2009-10 Minnesota Wild are officially in the team record books. Of course, that's the bad news as well. Minnesota extended their road losing streak to 7 games on Friday night, tying a team record set in November and December of 2006.

David Perron had a goal and an assist for St. Louis, who beat the Wild 3-1 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

The Wild were undone critical mistakes once again, the first of which came just 56 seconds into the game. Niklas Backstrom fumbled an early wrist shot from Perron, and the Blues’ Jay McClement tucked in the rebound from the center of the crease before Backstrom could cover it with his catching glove.

St. Louis carried the play in the first frame, outshooting the Wild 15-4. Backstrom, who stopped 23 of 25 shots overall, kept Minnesota in the game early on.

The Wild came out with much more energy early in the second, and had several quality chances early. Chris Mason made several excellent saves, most notably robbing Brent Burns with his glove on a point blank chance on Minnesota’s first power play. Moments later, Perron caught Nick Schultz pinching at the St. Louis blue line, took the puck the length of the ice and fired a slap shot over Backstrom’s right shoulder to give the Blues a 2-0 lead.

The Wild finally broke through on a net-mouth scramble late in the second, as Chuck Kobasew dribbled in a rebound of an Eric Belanger shot with 1:18 remaining.

Brad Boyes completed the scoring with and empty-net goal with 15 seconds remaining in the third.

The Wild’s injury woes continued early in the game as defenseman Kim Johnsson left the game after a collision with St. Louis’ David Backes in the corner. John Scott, who had originally dressed as a fourth-line winger, played the rest of the game on defense.

The Wild will return home for a game against Carolina Saturday night at 7:00.