IOWA GARNERS POINT IN 4-3 SHOOTOUT LOSS
Apr 8, 2016Wild Rampage Meet Again on Saturday
SAN ANTONIO, TX– The Iowa Wild (23-39-4-5, 55 points) were defeated by the San Antonio Rampage (31-34-8-0, 70 points) 4-3 in a shootout in front of 8,865 fans at the AT&T Center on Friday night. After scoring with just over 20 seconds left in regulation to force a tie, the Rampage picked up the extra point by edging Iowa in a shootout. Rampage forward Borna Rendulic scored the game-tying goal and totaled three points in his team’s eighth straight win over Iowa dating back to the 2013-14 season. San Antonio goalie Reto Berra (5-6-0) stopped 36 of 39 shots in regulation and all three shootout attempts for the team’s sixth straight win at home. Iowa defenseman Joe Finley scored twice and rookie Mario Lucia also added his first goal of the season, as the team saw its points streak extended to three games (2-0-0-1). Iowa goalie Leland Irving (11-20-6) stopped 30 of 33 in regulation and two of three shootout attempts in defeat. Iowa and San Antonio meet again on Saturday at 7 P.M.
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After a scoreless first period, San Antonio’s Joey Hishon gave his club a 1-0 lead at 6:16. Rampage forward Borna Rendulic forced a turnover in the Iowa zone and slipped a pass in the left-wing circle to Nick Drazenovic, who found Joey Hishon with a cross-ice pass. Hishon beat Leland Irving for his 14th goal of the year and a 1-0 lead. Iowa countered at 15:00 with the first pro goal of Mario Lucia’s career. As a Wild power play was expiring, defenseman Mike Reilly slipped a pass to forward Grayson Downing in the right wing circle. Downing threaded a pass to the Rampage crease for Lucia. The rookie forward turned and quickly snapped the puck over the shoulder of Reto Berra for the 1-1 score after two periods of play.
The Rampage pushed ahead 2-1 merely 1:06 into the third period, as Sam Henley potted a rebound for his seventh of the season. The play opened up as defenseman Mason Geertsen sprung Rendulic for a breakaway opportunity. Henley scored off the rebound off a Rendulic shot. Iowa tied the game at 5:00 of the final frame, scoring off a cycle in the Rampage zone. From the right-wing wall, Wild forward Colton Beck snapped a pass to the high slot for Zack Mitchell. The second-year forward spun away from trouble and lifted a backhand shot past Berra. Defenseman Joe Finley tipped the puck past Berra for his fourth goal of the year and a 2-2 score. Just 41-seconds later, Iowa jumped in front with a 3-2 lead off Finley’s fifth goal of the year. Alex Petan started the rush, sipping a pass to center for Chase Lang. He carried the puck over the Rampage blueline, while skating to the left wing. Lang dropped off a pass for Finley, and he blasted a one-timer past Berra for the 3-2 Iowa lead. The Wild led until the last minute of play, when the Rampage pulled Berra from his crease. The gamble paid off with 20.5 seconds, as Dennis Everberg set up Rendulic for the game-tying goal. Rookie Mikko Rantanen slipped a pass to the left of the Iowa for Everberg, who followed with a backhand across the crease to Rendulic for the equalizer. Rendulic’s 16th goal of the year made it a 3-3 game and forced overtime.
After a scoreless overtime, the two teams skated to a shootout to determine the winner. Reto Berra stopped all three Wild attempts to set up the win in the third round of the shootout, as Ben Street snapped a shot past Irving for the difference.
Iowa concludes a two-game set 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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