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Wild host Ducks in early season showdown

Oct 27, 2006 - 2:01 PM Anaheim (7-0-2) at Minnesota (8-1-0) 8:00 pm EDT

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Ticker) - Few people could have imagined the Minnesota Wild and the Anaheim Ducks would both be off to such dominant starts.

The Wild try to stay undefeated at home this season and avenge their only defeat of the campaign Friday when they host the Ducks, who have not lost in regulation this season.

Minnesota won its first six contests, including the first five at home, before suffering a 2-1 loss to Anaheim last Friday. But the Wild have rebounded with back-to-back triumphs over the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings.

Brian Rolston scored twice, Todd White had a goal and two assists and Manny Fernandez made 35 saves as Minnesota won its franchise-record ninth straight home contest with Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Los Angeles.

The Wild are tied with the Dallas Stars for fewest goals allowed (15) and have yielded just five in their last five contests.

Off to the best nine-game start in franchise history, Anaheim is the lone team in the Western Conference without a regulation loss and has won both road games this season.

Ryan Getzlaf and Travis Moen scored twice and Chris Pronger collected three assists as the Ducks won their fourth consecutive game in Wednesday's 6-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

Former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 29 saves to raise his record to 6-0-2 with a 1.81 goals-against average this season.