Game 54: Red Wings 5, Minnesota 3

Detroit, MI (2/18/70)- Wayne Connelly scored a hat trick, including two goals in 11 seconds, but the Red Wings needed a late third period goal from Nick Libett to break a 3-3 tie on their way to a 5-3 victory over the reeling Minnesota North Stars at Olympia Stadium Wednesday night.

The Red Wings outshot the North Stars, 46-19, but the game was tied 3-3 when Libett converted a pass from Alex Delvecchio at 15:24 of the third period.

The victory was the Red Wings' fifth in a row.

Connelly scored at 2:47 and 2;58 of the second period. He completed the hat trick with an empty net goal with 47 seconds remaining.

The Red Wings held a 3-0 lead eight minutes into the second period but Minnesota rallied.

Ray Cullen and J.P. Parise scored 2:24 apart to make the score 3-2. At 9:10 of the third period, Bob Barlow's slap shot beat Roy Edwards to complete the comeback.


Minnesota's J.P. Parise (left) is congratulated after his goal in the North Stars' losing effort Wednesday night


But Libett spoiled Minnesota's fun with his goal on a nifty feed across the crease from Delvecchio.

The North Stars remain winless since January 14 (0-12-4).

"Sometimes hockey is like that," Red Wings coach Sid Abel said about the shot discrepancy and the close score. "Give Minnesota credit. They caught us standing around for a bit."

Connelly's hat trick gives him 20 goals on the season. Libett's goal was his 20th as well.

MIN 0-2-1 = 3
DET 1-2-2 = 5

1st Period
DET- MacGregor (Mahovlich, Unger) 19:29

2nd Period
DET- Connelly (Karlander, Stemkowski) 2:47
DET- Connelly (Bergman, Brewer) 2:58
MIN- Cullen (Barlow, Goldsworthy) PPG 8:25
MIN- Parise (Collins) 10:49

3rd Period
MIN- Barlow (Cullen, Nanne) 9:10
DET- Libett (Delvecchio, Popiel) 15:24
DET- Connelly (Karlander, Brewer) ENG 19:13

Shots on Goal
MIN 2-8-9 = 19
DET 13-17-16 = 46

Goalies
Maniago (MIN); Edwards (DET)

Power Plays
MIN 1-for-5; DET 0-for-3

Penalty Minutes
MIN 8; DET 12

Fights
None