ST. PAUL, Minn. — Brent Burns scored three goals and the Minnesota Wildbeat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 on Sunday in the preseason finale for bothteams.

The Wild will host Chicago in the regular-season opener on Thursday and bothclubs appeared ready to face off in a game that counts.

There were several skirmishes, and Minnesota’s Derek Boogaard fought DavidKoci early in the second period. Martin Lapointe and the Wild’s Dominic Mooredropped their gloves late in the third.

Mikko Koivu scored in the first period, and Pavol Demitra added anempty-netter to seal the win for the Wild. Patrick Sharp and Lapointe scored forChicago.

Earlier in the week, the Blackhawks (3-4-1) shored up their defense bysigning veterans Karel Pilar and Brent Sopel. That means that Cam Barker, thethird overall selection in the 2004 draft, will likely be sent to Rockford ofthe AHL before the opener.

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