PREVIEW - IOWA AT  TUCSON 10.28.17

GAME PREVIEW - IOWA WILD AT TUCSON ROADRUNNERS 10.28.17

Oct 28, 2017

MEDIA KIT - HERE

Iowa Wild (2-5-0-1, 5 Points) at Tucson Roadrunners (4-1-1-0, 9 points)
Iowa remains in Tucson to close out a two-game series with the Roadrunners. Tucson claimed the first ever meeting between the two clubs with a 4-1 win on Friday. The Roadrunners are 4-0-0-1 in their last five games, while Iowa is winless in its last three games 0-2-1-0. Friday marked the beginning of a six-game home stand for Tucson. After two games in Arizona, Iowa returns home for five straight.

The Wild is 1-1-0-0 versus the Pacific Division this season with a 3-0 win at home over Ontario on Oct. 13. The Roadrunners are 3-0-0-1 against the Central Division this season, with wins over Iowa, Chicago (2) and Grand Rapids.

Iowa is 1-3-1-0 over the last five games and the team plays 12 of its first 15 games at Well Fargo Arena. The Wild ranks in the bottom third for goals against (3.63 GAA – 21st) and for goals per game (2.50 GPG – 25th). Tucson sits in the top for goals against average (2.33 GAA – 4th) and for goals per game (3.67 GPG – 9th).

Upcoming Games:
Team                                      Date    Time              Radio / TV

at Tucson                                10/28     9:05 PM CT   KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. San Antonio                        11/2       7:00 PM CT   KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. San Antonio                        11/3       7:00 PM CT   KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Rockford                             11/9       10:30 AM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Cleveland                           11/11     7:00 PM CT   KXNO / iHeartRadio

Transactions:
10.25.17:
Add – F Kyle Bonis – signed PTO
10.26.17: Delete –F Zack Mitchell – recalled to Minnesota (NHL)
10.26.17: Delete –F Dante Salituro – reassigned to Rapid City (ECHL)

Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild were defeated by the Tucson Roadrunners 4-1 on Friday night at the Tucson Convention Center Arena. Tucson rookie Nick Merkley scored twice and goalie Marek Langhamer stopped 28 of 29 shots, as the Roadrunners claimed the first meeting in AHL history between the two clubs. Wild goaltender Niklas Svedberg set a team record with his eighth straight start, making 24 saves in defeat. Iowa forward Colton Beck extended his team record goal-scoring streak to six games with the Wild’s loan tally.

Iowa Wild
Left wing Colton Beck leads Iowa in scoring with six goals and eight points in the first eight outings of the season. Veteran forward Pat Cannone is in second on the team in scoring with three goals and three assists for six points in eight games played. Rookie defenseman Brennan Menell is in third in scoring with one goal and is tied for the team lead with four assists. Beck also leads the team with a +6, followed by rookie defenseman Carson Soucy, who has a +5. Veteran forward Ryan Malone paces the club with 16 penalty minutes.

Goalie Niklas Svedberg is 2-5-1 with a 2.94 GAA and a .900 SV%.

Iowa’s power play is 28th in the league, going 2-for-40 (5.0%). The Wild ranks 10th on the penalty kill, going 36 of 41 (87.8%).

Notables –
●       Beck has six goals in the month of October and ranks tied for fourth in the AHL for goals scored.  He had five in 74 games played last season.
●       Goalie Niklas Svedberg set the all-time Iowa mark with his 8th consecutive start on Friday.   

Tucson Roadrunners
First-year Head Coach Mike Van Ryn leads the Roadrunners. He was an assistant coach for Minnesota’s AHL affiliate in Houston from 2011-13. Rookie Nick Merkley is first on the club with seven points off four goals and three assists in six games. Fellow rookie center Dylan Strome is second in scoring with one goal and five assists for six points in five games played. Right wing Mike Sislo is tied for third with rookie defenseman Kyle Capobianco, each with five points in six games.

Rookie Hunter Miska has seen the majority of time in net for Tucson, going 2-0-0 with 4.11 GAA and a .875 SV% in three outings. Marek Langhamer is 1-0-1 with a 1.45 GAA and a .949 SV %.

Tucson’s power play is 12th, going 7-for-38 (18.4%). The Roadrunners rank 11th on the penalty kill, going 24 of 28 (85.7%).

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