IOWA COMEBACK BID FALLS SHORT IN 6-5 LOSS AT GRAND RAPIDS
Jan 4, 2017Iowa Continues Road Trip in Manitoba on Saturday
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Iowa Wild (14-18-2-1, 31 points) were defeated by the Grand Rapids Griffins (21-8-1-2, 45 points) 6-5 on Wednesday night in front of 8,515 fans at Van Andel Arena. The Western Conference leaders outlasted the Wild in a game that featured 11 total goals and numerous rallies from a resilient Iowa squad. Grand Rapids forwards Ben Street and Tomas Nosek each had two goals and an assist in the win. Griffins’ goalie Eddie Pasquale (7-2-3) made 23 saves as Grand Rapids extended its streak to ten straight games at home with at least a point over Iowa (9-0-0-1). Wild forwards Christoph Bertschy and Teemu Pulkkinen each had a goal and an assist in the road defeat. Iowa goalie Alex Stalock (9-10-2) stopped 27 shots in the defeat, the club’s fourth straight. Iowa continues its five-game road trip at 7 PM on Saturday at Manitoba.
BECOME A WILD 365 MEMBER TODAY!
The Griffins claimed a quick 1-0 lead with a strike at 5:07 by Ben Street. Defenseman Joe Hicketts snapped a cross-ice pass through center ice, connecting with Mitch Callahan on the right wing. Callahan carried the puck into the Iowa zone and slipped a pass to Ben Street in the slot. Street fired a wrist shot past Alex Stalock for his seventh goal of the season. Street scored from a similar spot less than two minutes later, a shorthanded goal that beat Stalock for a 2-0 Griffins lead at 7:02 of the first period. Defenseman Dan Renouf set up Street’s second goal of the game. Iowa countered quickly, cutting the deficit in half just 27 seconds later with a power-play goal by Zack Mitchell. As the Wild set up the power play, rookie Sam Anas swung the puck to the point for defenseman Zach Palmquist. He sent a shot towards the net and Mitchell tipped his second goal of the season past Eddie Pasquale at 7:29 to make it 2-1 after one period of play.
BECOME A WILD 365 MEMBER TODAY!
Griffins center Tomas Nosek potted a centering pass from behind the net at 3:52 of the second period, extending Grand Rapids lead to 3-1. Right wing Tyler Bertuzzi shifted the puck to the Iowa corner for Martin Frk. He slipped along the end wall and centered out front for Nozek’s 10th goal of the season. Iowa began a rally at 4:28 as Zac Dalpe scored his first goal of the season. Wild forwards Colton Beck and Christoph Bertschy worked the puck deep in the Griffins zone. Beck slipped the puck to the high slot for Dalpe, who beat Pasquale for the 3-2 Iowa deficit. Iowa tied the game at 10:48 off Bertschy’s third goal of the year. The Wild worked the puck from the right side to the left side. Defenseman Mike Reilly sent the puck to Mike Weber at the point. Weber snuck a pass to Berstchy, who ripped a slapshot past Pasquale for the 3-3 game. The Griffins regained the lead at 16:24 as Dominic Turgeon found a loose puck in the Iowa crease, jamming in a rebound for his third goal of the season. Nosek and defenseman Brian Lashoff each had the assist on the go-ahead goal. The Griffins capitalized off a power play at 19:26, pushing ahead 5-3 after Nosek slipped through traffic and lifted a shot over Stalock for his second of the game. Street and winger Eric Tangradi each had a hand in Nosek’s 11th goal of the season, as Grand Rapids carried a two-goal lead into the second intermission.
BECOME A WILD 365 MEMBER TODAY!
The Wild jumped right back into the game just 49 seconds into the final period, as Teemu Pulkkinen scored his 12th goal of the season, trimming the deficit to 5-4. Rookie Nick Saracino added the assist on Pulkkinen’s tally. The Griffins regained their two-goal edge at 7:41 of the period. Hicketts scored his fourth goal of the season from Matt Ford and Callahan for the 6-4 Grand Rapids lead. The Wild made it 6-5 just 51 seconds later as Grayson Downing scored at 8:31. Pulkkinen and defenseman Nick Seeler each had an assist on Downing’s sixth goal of the season.
Iowa embarks on a lengthy road trip and returns home on Monday, Jan. 16 for the first-ever meeting with the San Diego Gulls at 7 PM. It is a Free Parking Monday (until the IEC lots are full, sponsored by Nash Icon and KGGO. Fans may purchase a hotdog for $2 at the game. Those that bring a Subway receipt may purchase a $5 ticket. The Star 102.5 / Subway Combo pack is also available, starting at $12 and includes a ticket, a soda, a hotdog and a Subway Peel-a-Deal.
The team continues a four-game home stand with a Winning Wednesday on Jan. 18 at 7 PM with the Grand Rapids Griffins. If the Wild wins, all fans in attendance will be handed a ticket to the game on Feb. 8 upon exit. Those 21 and older may purchase two tallboys for $10. Fans that bring a Subway receipt may purchase a $5 ticket.
Iowa welcomes the Texas Stars for a two games to close out the home stand, starting on Friday. Jan. 20 at 7 PM. The team celebrates Red, White and Blue Night for Military Appreciation, presented by Casey’s and Billions Buick. The first 1,500 fans to the game will be handed a Kurtis Gabriel bobblehead, sponsored by Krist Insurance and Nash Icon. Plato’ Closet is sponsoring a clothes drives, that benefits Central Iowa Shelter and Services. Fans may also enjoy $2 beers, presented by 100.3 The Bus. Patrons may stick around after the game for a postgame skate. Fans may bring their own skates or rent skates for $2 to benefit the American Diabetes Association.
Iowa closes out the lengthy home stand with Country Night on Saturday, Jan. 21st at 7 PM. Parmalee headlines Country Night with a postgame concert, presented by Nash FM, Nash Icon, Catch Des Moines, Jim Beam Apple and Gregg Young Chevrolet of Norwalk. Fans may indulge in Jim Beam drink specials, including a $5 Beam Apple Orchard or a $10 Beam Apple Orchard in a mason jar. VIP Packages for the Parmalee show are available starting at $150. The Brewdog pack is also available, which features a beer/hot dog voucher at the game and a voucher for a free drink at Legends Bar and Grill.
2016-17 Iowa Wild regular season single-game tickets are on sale now. Follow the Iowa Wild on Twitter @IAWILD or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iawild.
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.
-- IOWA WILD --
· BECOME AN IOWA WILD SEASON TICKET HOLDER
For more info on season ticket packages call 515-564-8700 or email Nate Berglund at nathan.berglund@iowawild.com
· IOWA WILD IN THE COMMUNITY
To schedule a Wild appearance, contact Ragan Duax, Coordinator, Community Relations at 515-564-8731 or email ragan.duax@iowawild.com.
· IOWA WILD CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS
To create a customized advertising package for your company contact Brian Mather, VP of Sales, at 515-564-8720 or email at brian.mather@iowawild.com.
###