'1 win at a time': Marc-André Fleury, Wild teammates bask in goalie's NHL milestone

The crowd chants for Marc-André Fleury started in the second period and filled the arena again in the waning minutes, as the Minnesota Wild goalie closed in on a long-sought milestone.

Once the horn sounded on Fleury's 552nd win in the NHL on Monday night, putting him in sole possession of second place on the career list, Wild players rushed to the crease for a group hug that was overdue for everyone on this struggling club.

"Look at how the team rushed out after the game to congratulate him," head coach John Hynes said, reflecting on the impact Fleury has made on every organization he's been with.

The 39-year-old Fleury, from Sorel, Que., has put himself in elite company among the hundreds of goaltenders to ever put on the pads throughout the history of the league, now owning more victories than Patrick Roy (551) and trailing only Martin Brodeur (691) of Montreal.

 "I hope he stays there forever," teammate Marcus Foligno said.

Regardless of where he has ranked in the record book, though, celebrating Fleury is a natural activity for fans, teammates and anyone associated with the sport.

"He's a better guy than a goalie, and that says a lot when you have the second-best goalie in the world," said Mats Zuccarello, who scored 2:11 into the game in the 5-0 victory over the New York Islanders.

Give him his flowers.