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Wild open five-game road trip against Sharks

Nov 7, 2006 - 3:14 PM Minnesota (10-3-0) at San Jose (10-5-0) 10:30 pm EST

SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) - The Minnesota Wild begin their five-game road trip Tuesday in shark-infested waters.

The Wild try to avoid consecutive losses for the first time this season when they skate with the San Jose Sharks, whose offense needs a bit of a wakeup call.

Minnesota is coming off a 4-3 defeat against Nashville on Saturday despite a goal and an assist from both Pavol Demitra and defenseman Petteri Nummelin. Mark Parrish also tallied for the Wild, who have lost two of their last three games after winning nine of 10 to start the season.

Manny Fernandez made 17 saves and Mikko Koivu added two assists for Minnesota.

San Jose posted a 3-2 triumph against Pittsburgh on Saturday as Mike Grier and defensemen Kyle McLaren and Matt Carle scored. Vesa Toskala turned aside 25 shots to improve to 7-1-0 on the young season.

Joe Thornton assisted on all three goals for the Sharks, who have scored just 18 goals in their last 18 games after tallying 28 times in their first seven contests.

The Wild won three of the four meetings between the teams last season.