(Tampa, FL) — The Minnesota Wild faded in the third period of their 7-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. The Wild were within one entering the final frame before surrendering three goals during the third. Joel Eriksson Ek, Marco Rossi, and Jake Middleton each had a goal in the losing effort. The Wild have dropped five of six and remain in seventh place in the Central Division with 41 points and an 18-21-and-5 record. Minnesota visits Florida tonight.
Also, the Wild announced yesterday that Jared Spurgeon will miss the rest of the season with a hip injury. He’s expected to undergo a procedure on his left hip next month, followed up by back surgery. The team captain has been in and out of the lineup this season due to various injuries, having played in just 16 games. However, the 34-year-old finished in the top 15 of Norris voting the past two seasons, which is an award given out to the league’s best defenseman.
The team moved Spurgeon’s 7.5-million-dollar contract to long term injured reserve, and will have additional cap space to potentially make a trade to help shore up the blue line.
