MINNESOTA PROSPECTS FALL TO DALLAS 3-1
Sep 16, 2016Wild Meets Carolina Prospects On Saturday
TRAVERSE CITY, MI – The Minnesota Wild prospects, led by Iowa Wild Head Coach Derek Lalonde, opened the 2016 NHL Prospects Tournament with a 3-1 loss to the Dallas Stars Prospects on Friday afternoon at Centre Ice Arena. After taking a 1-0 first-period lead, the Wild saw the Stars make a comeback and add an empty-net goal for the two-goal win. Dallas goalie Philippe Desrosiers stopped 22 of 23 Minnesota shots for the win. Wild goalie Steve Michalek took the loss, stopping 21 of 23 in defeat. The Minnesota prospects hit the ice again on Saturday to meet the Carolina Hurricanes prospects at 6 p.m.
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TRAVERSE CITY BLOG
The following is a running blog of the 2016 NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan. The round-robin tournament features eight NHL teams. This season marks the 17th year of the tournament at the Centre Ice Arena. Intra-division games began on Friday, and will run through Monday. On Tuesday, the four games played will determine 1st-8th place. For more on the tournament, click here: http://www.centreice.org/page/show/467296-nhl-prospect-tournament
GAME #1 RECAP: WILD VS. STARS (HOME TEAM): 3-1 LOSS
Minnesota opened the scoring in the first period, when defenseman Gustav Olofsson tallied at the 10:23 mark. That goal stood up for the balance of the period and the Wild led 1-0 at the first intermission.
The Stars Cole Ully recorded the only goal of the second period, evening the score at 6:20 of the frame. The Wild outshot Dallas 11-6 in the stanza, but it was a 1-1 tie after 40 minutes of play.
Early in the third period, the Stars netted the eventual game-winner, as Samuel Laberge sent a knuckling shot from the high slot which beat Wild goaltender Steve Michalek (21 saves).
Minutes later, Michalek was relieved by Adam Vay (9 saves), who finished the contest in net. Michalek was battling cramps, which is why Vay’s services were needed. Ully capped off the scoring, adding an empty-netter in the final minute of play, as the Stars claimed the victory, 3-1.
Final shots favored the Stars, 33-23. There were five combined power plays, but neither team was able to capitalize.
BOX SCORE: http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=2927569
NOTES:
· Iowa Wild head coach Derek Lalonde served as the team’s head coach, which is typical for the NHL Prospects Tournament. David Cunniff and Richard Park were also on the bench.
· Overall there were plenty of positives for the Wild prospects, including the play of the club’s top line, featuring Sam Anas, Joel Eriksson Ek and Alex Tuch.
· Michalek made several quality saves, especially in the opening period. Lalonde spoke highly of both goaltenders following the game, noting the confidence they played with.
· The Wild hit the post, and the crossbar, on a couple of great chances (separated by a matter of moments) in the second period.
· Olofsson left the contest with an injury, and did not return.
· Lalonde praised the team’s defensive corps, which were forced to chew up extra ice time after the Olofsson injury.
QUOTES:
· Coach Lalonde: “Structurally, I thought we were pretty darn good. I loved our compete [level], I loved our effort level.”
· Coach Lalonde: “The disappointing part of the game was that we gave up two faceoff goals and that was the difference in the game”
· Coach Lalonde: “As the games go on, you can start detailing out some of your structure, one of them being faceoffs, and I think we’ll be better in that area tomorrow.”
NEXT UP: Minnesota hosts the Carolina Hurricanes at 6 pm Central on Saturday night.
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Fans can visit iowawild.com for updates from Joe O’Donnell (follow @wildjoeradio), the Voice of the Iowa Wild. Fans may also visit www.wild.com for tournament updates including reports from Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr. Minnesota is set to open its 2016 Training Camp on Friday, Sept. 23. A complete training camp schedule and roster will be announced prior to the start of training camp.
Click here for the Minnesota Wild Traverse City NHL Prospects Tournament Roster.
2016 TRAVERSE CITY NHL PROSPECTS TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE*
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Dallas vs. Minnesota
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
6:00 p.m. Carolina vs. Minnesota
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
2:00 p.m. Minnesota vs. New York Rangers
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
2:00 p.m. Seventh Place Game (4th Howe vs. 4th Lindsay)
2:30 p.m. Fifth Place Game (3rd Howe vs. 3rd Lindsay)
5:30 p.m. Third Place Game (2nd Howe vs. 2nd Lindsay)
6:00 p.m. Championship Game (1st Howe vs. 1st Lindsay)
* All times listed are Central
The 2016-17 Iowa Wild regular season schedule begins on Oct. 14 and single-game tickets for the 2016-17 regular season will go on sale in mid-September. Follow the Iowa Wild on Twitter @IAWILD or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iawild. Opening Night 2016 is set for Friday, Oct. 14 at Wells Fargo Arena, when the team opens a seven-game home stand.
The Iowa Wild 2016-17 season is presented by Mercy Medical Center: and 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 2016-17 season at Wells Fargo Arena start at just $10 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.
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 tickets, or smaller season packages may call the Iowa Wild front office at 515-564-8700.
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