GRIFFINS WIN 11TH STRAIGHT, BEAT WILD 4-3 IN OT
Dec 13, 2015Wild Travels to Charlotte on Tuesday
DES MOINES, IA– The Iowa Wild (4-19-2-3, 12 points) were defeated by the Grand Rapids Griffins (13-8-0-1, 27 points) 4-3 on Sunday evening in front of 6,431 fans at Wells Fargo Arena. The Griffins scored twice in the final 2:19 of the third period, erasing a two-goal deficit and forcing overtime. Forward Xavier Ouellet scored at 2:33 of overtime, extending the Griffins winning streak to 11 games. Goalie Jared Coreau (9-2-1) stopped 29 of 32 shots for Grand Rapids’ 10th straight victory over Iowa. Griffins forwards Mitch Callahan, Martin Frk, and Anthony Mantha each tallied a goal in the win. Iowa goalie Jeremy Smith (1-9-2) made 26 saves on 30 shots in the defeat. Wild defenseman Mike Reilly and forwards Zack Mitchell and Rob Bordson each scored a goal in the loss. The Wild are winless in its last 10 games at Wells Fargo Arena. Iowa travels to Charlotte for a pair of games on Dec. 15 and Dec. 17 against the Checkers.
Iowa forward Rob Bordson opened the scoring at 16:47 of the first period, giving the Wild a 1-0 lead. Center Tyler Graovac tallied an assist on the goal. Graovac fired a pair of shots on net after winning an offensive-zone faceoff. Bordson picked up the rebound and shelved the puck over Coreau’s shoulder for his second goal of the season.
Defenseman Mike Reilly scored at 4:57 of the second period, giving Iowa a 2-0 lead. Forwards Jordan Schroeder and Christoph Bertschy each earned an assist on the goal. Reilly entered the zone on the left side, skating behind the Griffins defense. Curling behind the net, the rookie tucked the puck inside the right post with a wrap around, scoring his third goal of the season. Forward Zack Mitchell gave the Wild a 3-0 lead, scoring at 10:23 of the second period. Mitchell found himself all alone in front of the net after the puck took an awkward bounce off the boards. The forward pushed the puck to his backhand and elevated it over a sprawling Coreau for his ninth goal of the season. Forward Mitch Callahan put the Griffins on the board at 14:20 of the period, shortening the Grand Rapids deficit to 3-1. Forward Martin Frk and defenseman Brian Lashoff each tallied an assist on the play. Callahan picked up a rebound in front of the Iowa net and pushed the puck past Smith for his eighth goal of the season.
Griffins forward Martin Frk scored at 17:41 of the third period, cutting the Iowa lead to 3-2. Forward Louis-Marc Aubry and defenseman Robbie Russo each tallied an assist on the goal. Frk received a pass from Aubry at the left of the Iowa goal and wristed the puck past a sprawling Smith for his fifth goal of the season.
Left wing Mark Zengerle scored at 19:23 of the third period, tying the game 3-3 and sending it to overtime. Defenseman Ryan Sproul and forward Anthony Mantha each earned an assist on the goal. The Griffins applied heavy pressure with the extra attacker. Zengerle received a back-door pass from Mantha and tapped the puck into the open net for his third goal of the season.
Griffins forward Xavier Ouellet scored at 2:33 of overtime, giving Grand Rapids a 4-3 come-from-behind victory. Mantha tallied an assist on the game-winning goal. Ouellet carried the puck into the offensive zone, leaving a drop pass for Mantha. Mantha blasted a slap shot on net and a crashing Ouellet tipped the puck past Smith for his second goal of the season.
Iowa returns home again on Sunday, Dec. 20 to play San Antonio at 3 p.m. Sunday’s game features the “Teddy Bear Toss”, benefitting the pediatric unit at Mercy Hospital. Iowa hosts a holiday movie watch party following the game, courtesy of More 104. After the game, fans can stick around to enjoy the movie “Elf” on the big screen, starring Will Ferrell. The game includes the Subway/Star 102.5 Combo Pack as well. The teams will rematch on Monday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. Monday’s game includes free parking (until the Iowa Events Center lots are full) sponsored by HITS 99.9. The game also includes a ticket special for fans that bring their student ID’s and buy a defense-preferred ticket, receiving a second ticket for only $0.99 courtesy of HITS 99.9.
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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