WILD RELENTLESS WITH COME FROM BEHIND SHOOTOUT WIN
Jan 22, 2016Iowa Erases Three Separate One-Goal Deficits, Wins in Five-Round Shootout
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Wild (11-26-2-3, 27 points) defeated the Rockford IceHogs (24-10-2-4, 54 points) 4-3 in a shootout in front of 4,324 fans at the BMO Harris Bank Center on Friday night. The Wild erased three separate one-goal deficits and came from behind to post a five-round shootout victory over the Central Division leaders. All-Star defenseman Gustav Olofsson scored early in the third period to tie the game for the third time and eventually force overtime. Olofsson (1g-1a), forward Colton Beck (1g-1a) and Captain Maxime Fortunus (2a) each tallied two points as Iowa won for the sixth time over the last 11 games. Iowa goalie Leland Irving (7-14-3) made 34 saves on 37 shots in regulation and stopped four of five attempts for the shootout win – his 100th career AHL win. Iowa forward Michael Keranen was credited with the shootout winner after Irving stopped Bryan Bickell. Center Rob Bordson added a goal as Iowa claimed its second win over Rockford in the last three meetings. In a relief effort, IceHogs goalie Michael Leighton (20-4-4) stopped 22 of 24 shots in regulation and stopped three of five attempts in the shootout defeat. Iowa remains in Rockford on Jan. 23 for a game against the IceHogs at 7 P.M.
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The IceHogs set up the first lead of the night 6:47 into the opening period. Forward Mark Dano slipped a pass behind the Iowa net for Ryan Hartman. Skating from the near post to the far post, Hartman slipped a pass out front for Mark McNeill for a one-timer and a 1-0 Rockford lead. Iowa scored off the rush at 12:21 of the first to pull even with the Hogs. Defenseman Maxime Fortunus connected with Zack Mitchell in the neutral zone. Mitchell carried in over the Rockford blueline and found Colton Beck streaking down the left wing. Beck slipped behind the defense and beat Visentin with a backhand shot for his third goal of the season and a 1-1 score. The IceHogs regained the lead at 15:50 of the opening frame. Defenseman Cam Schilling flexed a pass to center for Vinnie Hinostroza, who carried down the right wing into the Wild zone. Hinostroza flipped a cross-ice pass to Tanner Kero for the one-timer, his eighth goal of the year and a 2-1 lead. Rockford goalie Mark Visentin suffered an injury and was replaced by Michael Leighton at 16:49 of the third. Visentin had stopped seven of eight prior to the departure.
In the second period, Iowa evened the score at 6:01 when Rob Bordson tallied his fourth goal of the year to make it a 2-2 game. Fortunus and Gustav Olofsson worked the puck across the blueline, with Bordson getting the puck in the right-wing circle and snapping a wrist shot over the shoulder of Leighton. Rockford reclaimed the lead at 18:53 of the second period. Bryan Bickel carried the puck across the slot and left a backhander on the right post for Hinostroza, who buried his seventh goal of the year past Irving for the 3-2 lead. Kero added the second assist on the play.
Iowa used its first power play of the game to tie the contest for the third time. Wild defenseman Gustav Olofsson picked up a loose puck in the IceHogs slot and wristed a shot past Leighton at 7:35 to make it a 3-3 game. Beck and right wing Marc Hagel each had a hand in the goal, which eventually led to overtime.
After a scoreless overtime the teams skated to a five-round shootout. Iowa’s Zack Mitchell and Rockford’s Mark McNeill each scored in the opening round. Iowa’s Irving turned away Ryan Hartman, Tanner Kero and Vinnie Hinostroza in rounds two, three and four. In return, Leighton answered by denying Tyler Graovac, Grayson Downing and Rob Bordson. Iowa’s Michael Keranen scored in the fifth round and Irving stopped Bryan Bickell for the win.
The Wild plays two games against the in Rockford on Friday and Saturday night. Iowa returns home on Jan. 26 for a game against the Chicago Wolves at 7 P.M. Tuesday’s game features a Crash’s Kids Meal for every kid under the age of 12 courtesy of 96.5 Country of iHeartMedia Des Moines. Crash’s Kids Meal includes one hot dog, one soda, one popcorn, one fruit snack, and one wild prize. The game is also a “Taco Tuesday” presented by Taco John’s. Every fan receives a voucher for a free taco upon entry to the game.
Iowa hosts the Charlotte Checkers for a pair of games on Friday, Jan. 29 and Saturday, Jan. 30. Friday’s game is Military Appreciation Night. The first 1,500 fans (12-years old and under) receive an Iowa Wild patriotic jersey courtesy of Scheels and KISS FM. Friday is also $2 beer night sponsored by 100.3 The Bus. ‘Bring Your Buds Bundle’ will also be available for purchase, including one ticket, one 16 oz. Budweiser or Bud Light at the game, one hot dog, one popcorn, $1 off a Budweiser or Bud Light at the game, and one free Budweiser or Bud Light at Carl’s Place. Saturday’s game is John Torchetti Bobblehead Day, sponsored by NASH FM and NASH ICON. The first 1,500 fans receive a bobblehead of Coach Torchetti. Fans may also purchase the Brewdog Pack, which includes one ticket, one beer, one hotdog, and one free Budweiser or Bud Light at the Legends American Grill. There will also be Subway and Star 102.5 combo packs available for purchase. Starting at $12, the pack includes one ticket, one hot dog, one soda, and one Subway coupon.
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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