Brodziak Scores Twice, Wild Beat Sharks

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Kyle Brodziak scored twice and Brent Burns had the winner in the Minnesota Wild's 5-3 comeback victory over the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night.

The Wild trailed 3-2 and appeared to be headed toward another home loss after failing to score on a 4-minute power play to start the third period.

But Chuck Kobasew, Burns and Brodziak scored in a 5-minute span and the Wild overwhelmed the suddenly reeling Sharks in the final period.

Joe Thornton, Devin Setoguchi and Patrick Marleau scored for San Jose.

The Sharks appeared to be rolling after winning four straight before the holiday break. But a 4-0 loss to the Kings on Monday and the third-period meltdown Wednesday have killed that momentum.

The Wild had a three-game winning streak before the break, but dropped their first two since.

By beating the Sharks, the Wild won for just the third time in their last nine home games.

Burns scored the winner when his wrist shot sailed through goalie Antero Niittymaki's legs. Brodziak scored a minute later when Niittymaki lost track of Martin Havlat's shot and left the net wide open.

The Wild scored early in the first on an ugly power play. After Minnesota failed to get a shot during the first 1:55 of the man-advantage, Brodziak scored after Pierre-Marc Bouchard prevented Douglas Murray from clearing the zone.

Thornton's 5-on-3 goal tied it 5 minutes later and Setoguchi gave the Sharks the lead early in the second when the puck bounced off his arm and in.

The Sharks played without center Joe Pavelski and defensemen Torrey Mitchell. Both stayed back in San Jose because of lower-body injuries.

The Sharks rushed the net late in the third period, but Niklas Backstrom denied them every time. The Finn finished with 29 saves.

NOTES: Wild defenseman Marek Zidlicky left the game after being checked awkwardly into the boards by Jamie McGinn. ... The Sharks called up winger Brandon Mashinter from Worcester of the AHL to play in his first NHL game. Center Tommy Wingels was called up to play in his third. Winger John McCarthy was placed on injured reserve (upper body). ... With eight healthy defensemen, the Wild reassigned Jared Spurgeon to Houston of the AHL. ... Wild prospect Jason Zucker left Tuesday night's United States-Slovakia world junior game after getting elbowed in the head.

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