CHECKERS THIRD-PERIOD SURGE SINKS IOWA 7-4
Nov 28, 2015Wild Continues Six-Game Road Trip in Charlotte on Sunday
CHARLOTTE, NC – The Iowa Wild (3-16-1-2, 9 points) were defeated by the Charlotte Checkers (10-9-0-9, 20 points) 7-4 in front of 6,117 fans on Saturday at Bojangles Arena. Trailing 4-1 heading into the third period, Charlotte rattled off six goals in the final frame, handing Iowa a three-goal defeat. The Checkers scored four goals in the first 6:41 of the third period to complete the comeback and move in front of Iowa for good. Five Charlotte skaters registered a multi-point game in the team’s seventh straight win over Iowa. In a relief effort, Charlotte goalie Drew MacIntyre (5-8-0) picked up the win with eight saves on nine shots. Iowa surrendered two separate three-goal leads en route to seeing its’ franchise record winless streak extended to 12 games (0-11-0-1). Iowa goalie Jeremy Smith (1-8-1) was pulled 6:41 into the third period after stopping 18 of 23 and giving up the lead. Forwards Brady Brassart and Grayson Downing, as well as defenseman Christian Folin each scored in the team’s ninth straight regulation loss. Downing tied the all-time team mark with a point in his sixth straight game. The Wild remains in Charlotte for a 12 p.m. (CT) puck drop with the Checkers on Sunday.
Iowa jumped out to a 3-0 lead, outshooting the Checkers 15-5 in the first period. The Wild opened the scoring at 1:19 of the first period off Grayson Downing’s team-leading sixth goal of the season. Defenseman Dylan Labbe and forward Zack Mitchell were credited with the assist on the play that made it 1-0 Iowa. Iowa made it a 2-0 game merely 4:30 later with Brady Brassart’s third goal of the year. Brassart jammed in a rebound off a Jared Knight attempt at 5:39. Forward Raphael Bussieres added a helper on the second goal of the night. The Wild extended the lead to 3-0 at 13:41 after defenseman Christian Folin snapped a wrist shot past Tirronen for his first goal of the year. Forward Brett Bulmer and defenseman Mike Reilly helped set up the goal. Tirronen was pulled after the period, finishing the night with 12 saves on 15 shots.
The Checkers pulled within a pair of goals with a power-play tally by Brock McGinn at 6:45 of the second period. Center Derek Ryan and defenseman Trevor Carrick had a hand in the goal with each garnering an assist at 6:45, cutting the Iowa lead to 3-1. The Wild capitalized on a late second period power play, with center Brett Sutter scoring his second goal of the year for the 4-1 lead. Reilly and right wing Christoph Bertschy each picked up an assist on the goal. Sutter snapped a wrist shot from the inside of the left-wing circle, beating goalie Drew MacIntyre, high on the glove side at 18:22.
The Checkers rattled off six straight goals in the third period to erase a deficit and complete the comeback. Zack Boychuk started the rally just 1:01 into the third period, trimming the Iowa lead to 4-2. Center Brody Sutter made it a 4-3 game at 2:19 of the final period. At 5:45 Brock McGinn beat Smith with a wrist shot, tying the game 4-4. Defenseman Danny Biega rifled a shot from the point, through traffic, pushing the Checkers in front 5-4. Smith was pulled after the goal in favor of Leland Irving. Center Justin Shugg made it 6-4 at 12:37 of the third period. Keegan Lowe capped off the six-goal period at 16:10 for the 7-4 final. Irving finished without a save on two shots.
The Wild continues a six-game road trip on Sunday in Charlotte, making an additional stop in Lake Erie before returning home on Tuesday, Dec. 8 for a game against the Chicago Wolves. Kids (12 and under) eat free on Tuesday with a “Crash’s Kids Meal” courtesy of 96.5 Country of iHeartMedia Des Moines. The meal includes one hot dog, one soda, one popcorn, one fruit snack, and one Iowa Wild prize. It’s also a Taco Tuesday, where each fan receives a coupon for a free taco from Taco John’s upon entering the arena.
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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