Wild can't catch Columbus

ST. PAUL (AP) -- Coaching his first NHL game since the 1997-98 season, Doug MacLean looked calm behind the Columbus Blue Jackets' bench.

Looks can be deceiving.

"I was the least composed guy on the team tonight," MacLean said after watching his team beat the Minnesota Wild 2-1 on Wednesday night.

Geoff Sanderson scored his 21st goal, and Grant Marshall broke a 21-game scoreless streak for Columbus, which won only its fourth road game of the season and second in the last 10 games overall.

"We battled hard for Doug," Marshall said. "I think it was a good win all around."

MacLean, the team president and general manager, took over coaching duties Tuesday after firing Dave King. MacLean went 83-71-33 as coach of the Florida Panthers from 1995-98, leading them to the Stanley Cup finals in 1996.

"A lot of the events that happened yesterday and today left everybody a little speechless," goalie Marc Denis said. "There wasn't much left to be said but to get out there and get back on the horse."

The Wild are pushing for their first playoff appearance while the Blue Jackets, who entered the NHL with Minnesota in 2000, are struggling with inconsistency. But on Wednesday, it was the Blue Jackets who were more aggressive throughout the game.

"I'm really proud of them tonight the way they came out and played a high-pressure game," MacLean said.

Wild coach Jacques Lemaire wished he could have said the same thing.

"We should have played with a little more energy," Lemaire said.

After a sluggish first period, the Blue Jackets thoroughly dominated the Wild in the second period, outshooting them 19-5. Minnesota was held without a shot for 24:41 spanning from the first period to the second. Jeremy Stevenson's shot with 3:41 left in the second drew sarcastic cheers from the fans.

Columbus 0 1 1 -- 2

Minnesota 0 0 1 -- 1

First Period--None. Penalties--Dowd, Min (high-sticking), 3:33; Sillinger, Clm (ob.-holding), 4:13; Shelley, Clm (roughing), 9:57; Kuba, Min (holding), 17:56.

Second Period--1, Columbus, Sanderson 21 (Vyborny, Nash), 8:06. Penalties--Nash, Clm (tripping), 1:57; Zyuzin, Min (tripping), 5:56; Westcott, Clm (hooking), 17:45

Third Period--2, Columbus, G.Marshall 4 (Whitney, Wright), 7:22. 3, Minnesota, Bouchard 3 (Dupuis, Kuba), 11:32. Penalty--Ronning, Min (ob.-hooking), 2:26.

Shots on goal--Columbus 3-18-5--26. Minnesota 5-5-9--19.

Power-play Opportunities--Columbus 0 of 4; Minnesota 0 of 4.

Goalies--Columbus, Denis 15-21-4 (19 shots-18 saves). Minnesota, Roloson 10-7-6 (26-24).

A--18,568 (18,064).

Referees--Don Van Massenhoven, Don Koharski. Linesmen--Mike Cvik, Randy Mitton