Shields has room for improvement.

Byline: Rick Hurd

SAN JOSE_Uuggghh-leeee! That, in a word, would best describe Steve Shields' initial foray into the Sharks net this season.

Scott Pellerin's routine slap shot from the top of the left circle buzzed past Shields with 13.7 seconds left in the first period Wednesday, giving the Minnesota Wild its first lead in its 3-1 exhibition win at San Jose Arena.

Sergei Krivokrasov's routine-looking shot eluded Shields, banging off the post and into the net at 4:01 of the second period. Jim Dowd's slapper went untouched a mere 62 seconds later.

Oh, and there went Shields on several occasions, wandering out of the net and looking …