GRIFFINS HAND IOWA 4-1 DEFEAT
Feb 26, 2016Iowa Continues Seven-Game Road Swing Saturday in Grand Rapids at 6 PM CT
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Iowa Wild (18-31-3-4, 43 points) were defeated by the Grand Rapids Griffins (31-20-1-1, 64 points) 4-1 in front of 8,280 fans at Van Andel Arena on Friday night. The Griffins used a balanced scoring attack and goalie Jared Coreau (25-10-2) made 35 saves, helping Grand Rapids improve to 5-1-0-0 this season. Forward Tyler Graovac scored his club’s lone goal, as the Wild saw its four-game points streak come to a halt. Iowa goalie Leland Irving (9-16-4) made 37 saves in defeat. Iowa remains in Grand Rapids for a 6 PM CT faceoff with the Griffins on Saturday.
The Griffins jumped out to a short-lived first-period lead, striking for the game’s first goal at 3:20. Forward Louis-Marc Aubry carried the puck down the right wing side of the Iowa zone and slipped a pass cross-ice to Jakub Kindl. The Griffins defenseman snuck a shot past goalie Leland Irving for his third goal of the year. Captain Jeff Hoggan added an assist as Grand Rapids claimed a 1-0 lead. Iowa countered quickly, tying the game 1-1 merely 18-seconds later off a tipped shot in front of the Griffins net. Forward Brett Sutter passed the puck to the blueline for defenseman Tyson Strachan, who rifled a shot towards the Grand Rapids net. Iowa center Tyler Graovac, tipped the puck past goalie Jared Coreau for the 1-1 score, his fourth goal of the season. The Griffins connected on the first power play of the game at 15:55. Right wing Mark Zengerle spun and snuck a backhand pass across the crease to a streaking Ryan Sproul. The defenseman planted a one-timer past Irving for his seventh goal of the season. Forward Anthony Mantha picked up a second assist on the power-play goal that gave Grand Rapids a 2-1 lead after twenty minutes of action.
The Griffins moved the puck well in the Iowa zone with Eric Tangradi finishing off a play at 9:37 of the second period. Defensemen Robbie Russo and Xavier Ouellet worked the puck down low for Tangradi’s 18th tally of the season and a 3-1 lead. The Griffins snuck in their fourth goal off a scrum in front of the Iowa net. Center Joakim Andersson found the loose puck and jammed the rebound past Irving for a 4-1 lead at 19:07. Forward Mitch Callahan and Russo each had the assist on the play, Andersson’s first tally of the year.
The Wild continues a seven-game road trip on Friday, Feb. 27. The team makes stops in Grand Rapids (2), Texas (2), Manitoba (2), and Milwaukee (1) before returning home on Sunday, Mar. 13 to host the Milwaukee Admirals at 5 p.m. The Subway/Star 102.5 Combo Pack is available for purchase starting at $12. The combo pack includes one ticket, one hot dog, one soda, and one Subway coupon. The Wild hosts a live Red jersey auction following the game courtesy of the American Heart Association. A canned food drive presented by Billion Buick, Price Chopper, and Zeroez takes place during the game, benefitting MoveTheFood.org.
Fans may purchase single-game tickets multiple ways, either through the team's website – www.Iowawild.com, the Wells Fargo Arena box office or participating Hy-Vee food stores. Tickets are available online atwww.Iowawild.com under the single game tickets tab. The Wells Fargo Arena box office is open Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and closed on Sunday. For Saturday game days, the box office will open at 10 a.m. For Sunday game days the box office will open at 12 p.m. Fans may also purchase tickets by calling 1-844-55-HYVEE or by visiting participating Hy-Vee food stores locations in the greater Des Moines area. Those interested may also visit www.hy-veetix.com. Fans interested in buying full season, or smaller season packages may call the Iowa Wild front office at 515-564-8700.
The Iowa Wild 2015-16 season is presented by Mercy Medical Center, it runs from October through April. Fans may purchase seats to see any of the team’s 38 regular season home games at Wells Fargo Arena. Season tickets to see the Wild play its 2015-16 season at Wells Fargo Arena start at just $9 per game. For more information on tickets, including ticket plans and group seating, please contact the Wild ticket office by calling 515-564-8700 or go towww.iowawild.com.
Follow the Iowa Wild on Twitter @IAWILD or like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/iawild.
-- IOWA WILD --
· BECOME AN IOWA WILD SEASON TICKET HOLDER
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To create a customized advertising package for your company contact Brian Mather, VP of Sales, at 515-564-8720 or email atbrian.mather@iowawild.com.
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