Brian Murphy: Brock Faber's coming-out party sets Wild's goals
There are about 30 miles between Maple Grove and the Xcel Energy Center, prime real estate for more trench diggers and orange barrels to wreck more rush hours constructing the Faber Express.
So many of Brock Faber’s friends and relatives traveled to the Wild’s season opener Thursday night he had to stare at the ceiling to recount exactly who hit the rookie defenseman up for tickets.
There was auntie and uncle, mom, dad, sister, girlfriend and many more in an entourage that deserves its own commuter lane from the sprawling northwest suburb to downtown St. Paul.
In just his third regular-season game, Faber rewarded his loved ones with a fistful of tickets and the first goal in his budding NHL career. His slithering wrist shot through traffic eight minutes into the game eluded Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and found the far corner.
The pivotal tally immediately took the edge off a knee-knocking opening five minutes for Minnesota and paved the way for a 2-0 victory over the defending Eastern Conference champions.
“Really cool moment for me and for my family … really cool,” said Faber, who played in the Frozen Four for the Gophers before signing with the Wild for their abbreviated playoff run.
If he thinks Thursday’s ticket requests were heavy, wait until Minnesota plays its next home game Oct. 19.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Faber chuckled. “Obviously there are so many people and friends asking. My whole family, every extended cousin lives here, so I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m too nice. I can’t say no.”
No Wild player skated more minutes on opening night than Faber, with captain Jared Spurgeon sidelined with an upper body injury. His 21:33 included almost three minutes killing penalties, including a critical phase as the 6-on-5 Panthers pressured and buzzed the net trying to spoil Filip Gustavsson’s shutout.
Faber jumped into the play offensively, controlled the puck confidently and acted as if he’s been battling NHL forwards all of his 21 years.
“He’s not fazed in whatever level he’s played,” said Wild coach Dean Evason. “He’s been able to do that because he’s so level-headed and calm in all departments. He looks like a seasoned pro.”
Faber’s coming-out party bracketed Joel Eriksson Ek’s second-period power play goal. Ek, freshly recovered from the late-season broken leg that shattered Minnesota’s latest playoff hopes, flexed his muscles around the net with a second-effort put back that underscored his under-the-radar prowess.
Faber carries the potential of a steady two-way defenseman and bears the burden of answering for the salary-cap induced trade of forward Kevin Fiala to the Los Angeles Kings. Now, with Matt Dumba departed, there is an opening for an impact player on the blue line with partner Jonas Brodin.
Why not Faber?
And why not Gustavsson, the second-year regular who tightened his grip on the No. 1 job ahead of veteran Marc-Andre Fleury?
Christening that newly signed contract and back in the crease he defended for five of Minnesota’s six postseason games against Dallas. A 41-save shutout is a monster opening statement.
Gustavsson was magnificent and especially sharp during a harried first period when the Wild were stuck in preseason gear and the Panthers picked up where they left off during their improbable run to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Florida swarmed the flat-footed home squad, pouncing on loose pucks and pushing the play in a real threat to spoil the show before the pyrotechnic smoke had cleared. It had a 10-2 shots advantage when Faber struck first.
“It’s not going to be like that every night, that’s for sure,” Gustavsson said. “It’s very close to that the puck goes by me. But sometimes you’re lucky, and you create your own luck.”
The Wild could use a little luck as they continue paying down the $15 million early withdrawal fee on Ryan Suter and Zach Parise.
So it was a promising start before another 82-game grind to get to judgment day.
We have reached the point in the Wild’s two-plus decades, one lonely banner evolution where home openers are box-checking affairs for season-ticket holders and diehards itching for a fix.
Casual observers will scroll past the daily headlines, glance up when McDavid, Crosby or Bedard populate the Wild box scores and hang a do not disturb sign on their senses for the next six months.
Because the one true reckoning for a team that has lost eight straight playoff series since 2015 comes in the postseason and whether the Wild can remain relevant for more than a week.
Dallas and Colorado are the class of the Central Division, but the path into the postseason and the divisional playoffs is paved with minor speed bumps.
The Wild are an experienced middle-class contender not unlike contemporaries Nashville, St. Louis and Winnipeg, with Chicago and their shiny new 18-year-old superstar poised to ascend from the depths of recent despair.
Advancement seems there for the taking. It’s the least they could do after teasing this forsaken market April after unfulfilling April.
