Wild Place Nick Foligno On Injured Reserve; Recall Top Prospect Rieger Lorenz

The Minnesota Wild suffered another defeat last night, this time to the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 3-2.

They entered the game without Brock Faber, Filip Gustavsson, and Nick Foligno, and, due to a late scratch, Olli Maatta.

Now, Foligno has been placed on the injured reserve with an upper-body injury, indicating he will be out at least a week. Coach John Hynes already confirmed that Foligno would not play on Saturday against the Florida Panthers.

In response to Foligno's injury, the Wild recalled veteran forward Tyler Pitlick, who served as the Wild's 13th forward last night. The Wild have since assigned him to the Iowa Wild of the AHL and recalled top prospect Rieger Lorenz.

Lorenz was a standout performer in the pre-season, scoring a goal and recording an assist in two games. In the AHL this season, the 22-year-old leads the team with two goals and is tied for the lead with three points. 

Nico Sturm, who entered the lineup for the injured Foligno, played 10:56 and recorded one shot. According to NaturalStatTrick.com, Sturm posted a Corsi For percentage of 40.0 percent and an expected goals percentage of 55.12 percent. The Wild were outscored 1-0 with Sturm on the ice.

While it's very possible that Lorenz also serves as the 13th forward and doesn't see any NHL action, the Wild could look to inject some additional youth into the lineup with the addition of Lorenz. The Wild play three games in four nights starting Saturday and could rotate some players. 

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