Josh Harding

The Minnesota Wild signed goaltender Josh Harding to a 3-year $5.7 Million contract extension Tuesday. Harding would have become a unrestricted free agent next month. The 28-year old Harding has been a backup throughout his NHL career behind 34-year old Niklas Backstrom. Backstrom is entering the final year of his contract and will turn 35 in February.

The Minnesota Wild lost 3-2 to the New York Rangers Tuesday night. Kyle Brodziak and Mikko Koivu each scored a goal and Josh Harding had 28 saves for Minnesota. Ruslan Fedotenko scored the game-winning goal in the 3rd period for New York. The Rangers outshot the Wild 32-26.

The Minnesota Wild shutout Vancouver 2-0 Monday night. Josh Harding had 33 saves to earn the shutout in net and Erik Christensen scored a goal in the first period for Minnesota. Kyle Brodziak added an empty net goal for the Wild in the 3rd period. Minnesota outshot Vancouver 34-33.

The Wild lost 6-0 at Detroit to the Red Wings Friday night. Detroit scored twice in the first period, 2 times in the 2nd and once in the 3rd. Josh Harding had 23 saves but 6 goals allowed and Mathew Hackett replaced and had 6 saves.

The Minnesota Wild lost their 7th straight game 4-0 against St. Louis Saturday afternoon. Josh Harding had 30 saves for the Wild. Minnesota was outshot 34-13. The Wild allowed 1 goal in the first period, 2 in the 2nd and 1 more in the 3rd.

The Minnesota Wild suffered a devastating loss at home to Nashville 5-4 Tuesday night. Minnesota took a 4-1 lead early in the 3rd period but Nashville came stormin' back to tie the game at 4 with 3 minutes left and scored the game-winner with :24 seconds remaining. Dany Heatley had 2 goals and 1 assist, Kyle Brodziak and Cal Clutterbuck each scored 1 goal for Minnesota. Josh Harding had 25 saves for the Wild.

The Minnesota Wild lost 3-0 at Vancouver Wednesday night and Minnesota has lost 10 of their last 11. Roberto Luongo had 28 saves to earn the shutout in net for the Canucks. Josh Harding had 32 saves for the Wild. Minnesota was outshot 35-28.

The Minnesota Wild lost 5-2 against Calgary at home Sunday night to drop their 2nd game in a row. Niklas Backstrom was replaced by Josh Harding after allowing 3 first period goals. Harding finished with 25 saves and allowed 2 3rd period goals. Cal Clutterbuck and Nick Johnson each scored a goal for the Wild in the first period.

The Minnesota Wild lost 5-2 at home to Edmonton Friday afternoon at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Minnesota trailed 3-2 after 2 periods but gave up 2 goals in the 3rd. Devin Setoguchi and Pierre-Marc Bouchard each scored a goal for the Wild and Josh Harding had 24 saves.

Minnesota Wild goaltender Josh Harding is the NHL first star this week after leading the Wild to 4 straight wins. The Wild are 3-0 last week with wins at Detroit and against Vancouver and St. Louis. Harding is still considered the 2nd string goaltender with the Wild behind starter Niklas Backstrom.