IOWA DROPS CONTEST TO BAKERSFIELD 4-3
Nov 10, 2018-Forward Dmitry Sokolov records his first two-goal game in the loss-
Iowa Wild (8-4-1-0; 17 pts.) dropped the final game of a two-game series against the Bakersfield Condors (7-4-0-0; 14 pts.) by a score of 4-3.
Bakersfield got on the board first with a slap shot goal from defenseman Caleb Jones at 11:08 in the first period. Forward Brad Malone forced a turnover in the offensive zone and found Jones alone at the blue line. Jones then walked into the high slot before launching a shot over the glove of goaltender Andrew Hammond (29 saves) to give the Condors a 1-0 lead.
Forward Dmitry Sokolov tied the game up at 1-1 with his first tally of the season. Sokolov picked up the puck during a regroup and then carried the puck into the offensive zone. Skating along the left side, Sokolov worked his way to the goal line before snapping a low-angle shot on net, which beat goaltender Shane Starrett (34 saves) short side. The goal came at 16:39 in the opening frame, with forwards Mitch McLain and Sam Anas both earning the assists.
At the end of the first period, the score was tied 1-1 with Bakersfield leading in shots 15-13.
The Condors regained the lead when defenseman William Lagesson potted his second goal in as many games at 10:03 in the second period. Lagesson took a shot from the top of the left circle, which hit Hammond’s glove before going behind him and trickling across the goal line. Tyler Benson notched his ninth assist of the season on the play.
Bakersfield extended its lead as Malone earned his second point of the game with a shorthanded breakaway goal. Malone blocked a shot at the blueline got behind the Wild defense for a breakaway. He then snapped a shot past Hammond’s blocker, giving the visitors a 3-1 lead at 16:35 in the middle stanza.
Through 40 minutes of play, the Condors led 3-1 and outshot the Wild 25-23.
Sokolov once again found the back of the net, notching his first multi-point outing of his career while cutting Bakersfield’s lead to 3-2 at 7:06 in the third period. Forward Cal O’Reilly corralled a loose puck in the offensive zone, turned and fired a puck on net. The puck bounced off a couple of Condor defenders before finding its way to Sokolov on the back post. Sokolov slammed the puck over the goal line for his second goal of the game. O’Reilly’s assist marked his seventh point in four games, while forward Mike Liambas earned the secondary helper.
Forward Tyler Benson recorded his second goal in as many games at 14:22 in the final frame, giving Bakersfield a 4-2 lead. Benson picked up a puck in the slot with a clear lane to Hammond. He fired the puck past Hammond’s blocker for the score as forward Cooper Marody registered his fourth point in two games with his assist.
Just 27 seconds later, winger Sam Anas brought the game to 4-3. Defenseman Louie Belpedio sent a pass to forward Kyle Rau to start a breakout and after hitting the offensive zone, forwarded the puck to Anas. Anas then lasered a shot over Starrett’s glove for his third goal in as many games.
Iowa’s comeback fell short though, as Bakersfield held on to take the game by a score of 4-3, despite Iowa outshooting the Condors 37-33.
The Wild continues its four-game homestand with a contest against the Milwaukee Admirals on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m.
The Iowa Wild 2018-19 season is presented by Mercy Medical Center and runs from October through April. For more information, please contact the Wild office by calling 515-564-8700 or by visiting www.iowawild.com.