SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) -- Jim Dowd had a goal and two assists and Scott Pellerin added a goal and an assist, leading the expansion Minnesota Wild to a 3-1 exhibition triumph over the San Jose Sharks.

Dowd, who has played for four teams since winning a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, might find a spot as Minnesota's second-line center when the Wild plays its season opener on October 6 at Anaheim.

Tonight, he teamed with ex-Devils Brad Bombardir and Pellerin to put Minnesota in front with 14 seconds left in the first period.

With Mike Ricci off for roughing, Dowd dropped a pass into the right faceoff circle and Sergei Krivokrasov fired a shot over goaltender Steve Shields' right shoulder for his second exhibition goal at 4:01 of the second period.

The 31-year-old Dowd gave the Wild a 3-0 cushion when he one-timed a feed from Antti Laaksonen over Shields' shoulder for his first preseason tally.

Brad Stuart ruined Manny Fernandez's shutout bid with 2:44 remaining in the second period. Fernandez, who is battling Jamie McLennan for the Wild's starting job, turned aside 37 shots.

Shields allowed three goals on 17 shots before giving way to Evgeni Nabokov, who made five saves.

San Jose outshot Minnesota, 38-22, but did not score on five power-play chances. The Wild were 1-for-5 with the man advantage.