Wild topped by Blue Jackets 4-2 in preseason

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COLUMBUS. Ohio -- The Columbus Blue Jackets doubled up the Wild 4-2 in a preseason affair in Columbus last night.

Guillaume Latendresse and Mikko Koivu scored for Minnesota, which is 3-and-3 in exhibition play. Josh Harding allowed all four goals on 26 shots in the loss. Head coach Mike Yeo was displeased with his team's play in the second period. Minnesota closes out preseason play at home tonight against the Oilers at 7:00 p.m. The Wild opens the regular season a week from tomorrow.

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Minnesota general manager Chuck Fletcher claimed right winger Nick Johnson off of waives from Pittsburgh in a roster move yesterday. The 25-year-old Johnson played in four games for the Penguins last season, while accounting for 39 points in 48 games at the Pens AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He was Pittsburgh's third round draft choice in the 2004 NHL entry draft.

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The Houston Aeros start preseason play tonight in Oklahoma City against the Barons. The Aeros finished two wins shy of the team's third championship last season. John Torchetti is the at the helm for his first AHL contest since 2003 after Mike Yeo moved up to become the head coach of Houston's NHL parent club Minnesota. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. tonight.

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Warroad's T.J. Oshie and Spring Lake Park's David Backes each scored a goal at the Blues beat the Avalanche 3-1 in an exhibition game in St. Louis last night. Backes played college hockey at Minnesota State-Mankato, while Oshie played at North Dakota. St. Louis improved to 5-and-2 in exhibition play with the victory. The Blues play their final preseason game tomorrow afternoon at home against the Stars.

Tags: minnesota sports, proam, hockey, wild