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Parise feels ‘reassured’ after testing his back in World Cup exhibitions

Minnesota Wild v Anaheim Ducks

ANAHEIM, CA - DECEMBER 11: Zach Parise #11 of the Minnesota Wild skates against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on December 11, 2013 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

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Good news for the Minnesota Wild -- the back injury that caused Zach Parise to sit out the playoffs is showing no signs of flaring up during the World Cup.

“I knew that I was OK, but I was still a little nervous for the first game,” Parise told the Star Tribune. “But after taking some hits and getting into some contact and not having any problem at all, it reassured me that everything is OK.”

The 32-year-old even managed to open the scoring in Team USA’s exhibition win over Team Canada Friday in Columbus, shaking off defenseman Jake Muzzin to tip home a point shot.

“I know it’s exhibition, but still mentally in my own mind, it was big to get one after what I went through,” he told the newspaper.

Parise opted to rehabilitate his back injury (a herniated disc) without surgery.