STRACHAN���S STRIKE PROPELS IOWA TO 4-3 OT WIN
Apr 2, 2016Iowa Travels to San Antonio Next Friday for Weekend Series
ROSEMOUNT, IL – The Iowa Wild (23-39-4-4, 54 points) defeated the Rockford IceHogs (36-20-9-4, 85 points) 4-3 in front of 5,781 fans at the BMO Harris Bank Center on Saturday night. Wild defenseman Tyson Strachan chose the right moment to score his first goal of the season, netting the game-winning goal 2:26 into overtime. Defenseman Dylan Labbe as well as forwards Grayson Downing and Kurtis Gabriel added a goal each for Iowa. Wild goalie Steve Michalek (7-5-0) made 28 saves on 31 shots in the victory. Rockford goalie Drew MacIntyre (13-15-3) stopped 25 of 29 shots in the defeat. Defenseman Ville Pokka as well as forwards Patrice-Cedric Labrie and Mark McNeill scored a goal each in the IceHogs loss. Iowa travels to San Antonio on Friday, Apr. 8 for a 7 p.m. against the Rampage.
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Wild forward Grayson Downing opened the scoring 1:15 into the game, helping Iowa grab an early 1-0 lead. Forward Marc Hagel picked up the lone assist on the goal. Hagel feathered a pass to Downing through the neutral zone, springing Downing on a breakaway. Downing entered the offensive zone uncontested, beating goalie Drew MacIntyre with a high-wrist shot for his 19th goal of the season. IceHogs forward Patrice-Cedric Labrie scored on a breakaway at 15:03 of the period, tying the game 1-1. Defensemen Nolan Valleau and Jonathan Carlsson each tallied an assist on the goal. Labrie won the race for a loose puck inside the Iowa blueline, freeing himself on a breakaway. Labrie pushed the puck to his backhand, sliding the puck through Michalek’s five-hole for his 20th goal of the season.
IceHogs defenseman Ville Pokka scored 5:50 into the second period, giving Rockford a 2-1 lead. Defenseman David Rundblad and forward Vinnie Hinostroza each earned an assist on the power-play goal. Rundblad fired a shot on net from the right point. Michalek made the initial save, sending the rebound off his right leg. The puck squirted out to Pokka at the left faceoff circle. He one-timed the puck past a sprawling Michalek for his eighth goal of the season. Iowa forward Kurtis Gabriel scored at 11:49 of the period, tying the game 2-2. Defensemen Christian Folin and Zach Palmquist each earned an assist on the tying goal. Folin fed a cross-ice pass to Palmquist along the blueline. Palmquist walked the puck to the point, sending a shot on goal. Standing in front of the net, Gabriel redirected the puck past MacIntyre for his sixth goal of the season. Iowa defenseman Dylan Labbe scored at 15:16 of the period, reclaiming a 3-2 lead for the Wild. Forward Colton Beck and defenseman Conor Allen each earned an assist on the goal. Beck scooped the puck off the left boards, sending a cross-ice pass to Labbe at the right point. Labbe sent an untouched slapshot through traffic in front of the net, beating MacIntyre over the glove for his fourth goal of the season. Rockford center Mark McNeill scored shorthanded with 1:03 remaining in the second, tying the game 3-3. Defenseman Kyle Cumiskey earned the lone assist. McNeill picked up the loose puck in the neutral zone after an Iowa turnover, leading to a breakaway. Streaking into the zone, he beat Michalek low on the blocker side with a snapshot for his 22nd goal of the season.
A scoreless third period sent the game to overtime in a 3-3 tie. Wild defenseman Tyson Strachan scored 2:26 into the extra frame, helping Iowa grab a 4-3 victory. Forwards Marc Hagel and Rob Bordson each tallied an assist on the game-winning goal. Bordson and Hagel applied heavy pressure in front of the IceHogs goal. Hagel fired a backhander off MacIntyre’s leg from below the right circle. Crashing the net from the blueline, Strachan one-timed the loose puck into the open net for his first goal of the season.
Iowa makes a stop in San Antonio before returning to Wells Fargo Arena for its final three home games of the regular season. The Wild welcomes Grand Rapids to Des Moines on Monday, Apr. 11 for a 7 p.m. puck drop. Monday’s game offers free parking until the Iowa Events Center lots are full courtesy of HITS 99.9 FM. Students may use their students ID’s to buy a defense preferred ticket and receive a second ticket for $0.99, also sponsored by HITS 99.9 FM. Iowa plays the Rockford IceHogs for the final time on Wednesday, Apr. 13 at 7 p.m. Wednesday features the Jim Beam and NASH FM Guys Night of the season, including drink specials of $5 regular Beam Orchard Twists and $10 for a Beam Orchard Twist in a mason jar. If the Wild wins all fans in attendance receive a ticket to a future Iowa Wild game.
Iowa’s final home game of the season takes place on Friday, Apr. 15 at 7 p.m. against the Chicago Wolves. The Iowa Wild extends its gratitude and thanks with “Fan Appreciation Night”. The first 2,500 fans to the game receives an Iowa Wild team poster sponsored by Renaissance Savery Hotel, Prairie Life Fitness, Edwards, GuideOne Insurance, and Country 96.5. Friday also includes $2 beer night presented by 100.3 The Bus. The “Bring Your Buds Bundle” ticket package is available for purchase, including one ticket, one 16 oz. Bud or Bud Light at the game, one hotdog, one popcorn, $1 off Budweiser or Bud Light 25 oz. can during the Wild game, and one free beer at Carl’s Place. The Wild finishes its season in Chicago on Saturday, Apr. 16.
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 at www.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 to www.iowawild.com.
Follow the Iowa Wild on Twitter @IAWILD or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iawild.
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