Here’s a story that’ll make you rethink what it means to leave it all on the ice: Filip Gustavsson’s gut-wrenching, literally stomach-churning performance that powered the Minnesota Wild’s 5-2 upset over the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche. But here’s where it gets controversial—was this a heroic display of grit, or a risky move that could’ve cost his team the game? Let’s dive in.
In a matchup that had all eyes on the Avalanche’s firepower, it was Gustavsson who stole the show—and not just for his 44 saves. With just a minute left on the clock, the Wild’s goaltender was forced to leave the ice after vomiting in his crease, battling an illness that struck late in the game. Talk about giving it your all. Teammates and coaches alike were in awe. “He’s a beast,” Quinn Hughes remarked, while coach John Hynes called it a “gutty performance.” But this isn’t the first time Gustavsson has faced adversity. After a disappointing Olympic run with Team Sweden, where he was benched in favor of Jacob Markstrom, this game felt like a redemption arc. And redemption it was—his performance was exactly what the Wild needed to shut down a high-octane team like the Avalanche.
The Avalanche came out swinging, firing nine of the first 10 shots and 11 of the first 13 in the third period. Yet, Gustavsson stood tall, keeping his team afloat. “He made saves that kept us calm,” Joel Eriksson Ek noted. And calm they stayed, with Eriksson Ek scoring twice on the power play, Matt Boldy adding two empty-netters (one shorthanded), and Mats Zuccarello chipping in a goal. The Wild’s six-game winning streak and 9-1-1 stretch have them breathing down Colorado’s neck in the Central Division, though the Avalanche hold a two-game advantage.
But here’s the part most people miss: The turning point wasn’t just Gustavsson’s heroics—it was a strategic 5-on-3 power play late in the second period. With Colorado taking six of the first seven penalties, the Wild capitalized on a 1:54 two-man advantage. Eriksson Ek’s centering pass/shot deflected off Mackenzie Blackwood’s pad, giving Minnesota a 2-1 lead. Hynes’ timeout during the play wasn’t just to rest his top unit but to remind them of their 5-on-3 setups, which they hadn’t practiced since the Olympic break. “We got a lot to the net,” Boldy explained. “It was just a matter of time before one went in.”
And let’s not forget the Hughes factor. Quinn Hughes, fresh off a gold medal with Team USA, extended his assist streak to 11 games—tying Mark Howe for the second-longest point streak by a defenseman in their first season with a franchise. His assist on Eriksson Ek’s second goal showcased why he’s been a game-changer since joining the Wild in mid-December. The team has scored a league-high 110 goals and earned 41 points in that span. “He wants the puck so much,” Boldy said. “That’s what makes him great.”
Now, the controversial question: Should Gustavsson have stayed in the game despite his illness? Or was it a risk worth taking? And how much of the Wild’s success is due to Hughes’ arrival? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark differing opinions. One thing’s for sure: the Wild are proving they’re a force to be reckoned with, and their journey to the top is anything but ordinary.
