LAKE ERIE HOLDS OFF IOWA 3-2
Feb 22, 2014LAKE ERIE HOLDS OFF IOWA 3-2
Wild Returns Home on Tuesday to Host Rockford at 5:35 PM
Cleveland, OH – The Iowa Wild (22-20-6-4, 54 points) were defeated by the Lake Erie Monsters (22-24-0-5, 49 points) 3-2 in front of 15,258 fans at Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday night. After building a 2-0 lead midway through the first period, Lake Erie held off a late charging Iowa Wild club to win by one. Monsters center Colin Smith proved to have the game-winning goal late in the second period. Iowa outshot Lake Erie 15-7 in the third period and pulled within one goal for the final 14 minutes of play. Monsters goalie Calvin Pickard (12-13-3) stopped 29 of 31 Iowa shots for the win. Wild goalie Johan Gustafsson (8-12-2) made 29 saves on 32 shots, suffering the loss. Defenseman Brian Connelly and forward Kris Foucault each scored, as Iowa dropped to 12-7-3-3 on the road this year. The Wild returns home to face Rockford at 5:35 p.m. on Tuesday at Wells Fargo Arena.
The Monsters came out hungry, scoring the game’s first goal at 2:10 of the first period for the 1-0 lead. Forward J.T. Wyman slipped a pass to the point for defenseman Matt Hunwick, who fired a shot at the Iowa net. Forward Andrew Agozzino tipped the shot past Johan Gustafsson for his 12th goal of the year. Halfway through the first period, Lake Erie struck again, this time on the power play. Michael Schumacher potted a loose puck from the side of the Iowa crease. His second goal of the season was assisted by Colin Smith and Matt Olver at 10:54 for the 2-0 score.
The Wild got on the scoreboard at 9:06 of the second period, as forward Kris Foucault scored his sixth goal of the year. Forward Tyler Graovac worked the puck along the Lake Erie end boards, threading a pass to Foucault in the crease. The Iowa forward then snapped a shot over the shoulder of goalie Calvin Pickard for the 2-1 deficit. Lake Erie pushed back, reclaiming the two-goal lead at 16:33 of the second period. Center Colin Smith found a loose pick in the Iowa crease, and slipped a shot past Gustafsson for his sixth goal of the year. Hunwick and defenseman Stefan Elliott each had an assist on Lake Erie’s third tally of the night for the 3-1.
The Wild trimmed the lead to one for the second time on the evening at 5:30 of the third period. Forwards Erik Haula and Raphael Bussieres worked the puck to the Lake Erie blueline. Defenseman Brian Connelly fired a wrist shot through traffic for his fifth goal of the year and a 3-2 Iowa deficit.
Iowa returns home on Tuesday, Feb. 25 for a 5:35 p.m. faceoff with Rockford. The game is a $2 Tuesday, where fans can purchase any level ticket with a $2 discount. 200 Level seats will be available for $2 to the first 200 fans to purchase upper level seats. Patrons will also be able to purchase $2 sodas, $2 popcorns, and $2 10-ounce domestic drafts (21 and older) – through the first period of play. Also, select merchandise items will be available for only $2. The team then hosts the Rochester Americans at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27.
Fans may purchase single game tickets multiple ways, either through the team's website – www.Iowawild.com, Wells Fargo Arena box office or Dahl's Ticketing. Tickets are available online at www.iowawild.com under the single game tickets tab. Fans may also purchase tickets by calling 1-866-55-DAHLS (32457) or by visiting one of 13 Dahl's Food Stores locations in the greater Des Moines area, and in Ames. In order to purchase group tickets (10 or more), please call the Iowa Wild ticketing department at 515-564-8700. Fans interested in buying full season, or smaller season packages may call the Iowa Wild front office at 515-564-8700.
The Iowa Wild regular season is presented by Mercy Medical Center. Season tickets to see the Wild play at Wells Fargo Arena start at just $9 per game. For more information on tickets, please contact the Wild ticket office by calling 515-564-8700 or go to www.iowawild.com.
-- IOWA WILD --
· BECOME AN IOWA WILD SEASON TICKET HOLDER
For more info on season ticket packages call 515-564-8700 or email ticketing@iowawild.com
· IOWA WILD IN THE COMMUNITY
To schedule a Wild appearance, contact Jenna Bieri, marketing and community relations manager, at 515-564-8714 or email jenna.bieri@iowawild.com.
· IOWA WILD CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS
To create a customized advertising package for your company contact Ed Chamberlain, VP of corporate sales, at 515-564-8704 or email at edward.chamberlain@iowawild.com.
###