Wild's Coyle on linemates: 'We don't talk, no communication'
Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle had no qualms about heaping a portion of the blame of his team's first regulation loss on his third line.
"We need to tighten up defensively," Coyle told Chad Graff of the St. Paul Pioneer Press of linemates Thomas Vanek and Justin Fontaine following the team's 4-1 setback to the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.
"We suck defensively. We don't talk, no communication. That killed our team tonight."
Anaheim scored all three of its 5-on-5 goals with Minnesota's third line on the ice. Defenseman Cam Fowler found the net from the point while Rickard Rakell's deflection of blue-liner Hampus Lindholm's shot gave the Ducks a 2-1 lead late in the first period.
Mike Santorelli provided insurance at Fontaine's expense with 8:58 expired in the third period. Santorelli beat the Wild forward to a loose puck in front following a shot from Shawn Horcoff as Anaheim claimed a 3-1 advantage.
Minnesota, which wrapped up a 1-1-1 road trip, will have a chance to exact a measure of revenge versus the Ducks when the teams meet in St. Paul on Saturday.
(h/t St. Paul Pioneer Press)
