Danny Fritsche scored on the first shift of the game to give the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead 15 seconds into the game, with assists from Alexandre Picard and goaltender Dan LaCosta. Midway through the opening period the line of Fritsche-Picard-Adam Pineault struck for two more goals. Picard netted a power-play goal at 11:15 and Pineault an even strength tally at 14:27. The line of Fritsche-Picard-Pineault ended the game with 4-5-9 and a combined +7 plus-minus rating.

Patrick O'Sullivan got Minnesota on the board late in the first period and AJ Thelen pulled the Wild to within one midway through the second period.

Fritsche netted his second of the night, a power-play goal assisted by goaltender Jeff Harvey, late in the second period to put the Blue Jackets up 4-2. Harvey took over for LaCosta midway through the game as the two split time evenly. LaCosta stopped 12-of-14 shots with one assist, while Harvey stopped all 12 shots fired in his direction.

Gilbert Brule scored late in the third period to give the Columbus rookies a 5-2 lead, before Kyle Musselman scored a minute later for the final margin. Jared Boll assisted on both third period goals.

Kris Russell and Adam McQuaid, a pair of 2005 draftees, stood out along the blueline for the Columbus rookie squad.

The Blue Jackets rookies return to action on Wednesday evening when they face the Tampa Bay Lightning rookies.