IOWA EARNS TWO BIG POINTS IN 4-3 WIN AGAINST MANITOBA
Mar 4, 2018Wild forward Zack Mitchell records second multi-point night in as many games in the win
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – Iowa Wild (27-17-8-4; 66 points) earned a gritty 4-3 win against Manitoba Moose (35-16-4-3; 77 points) Sunday afternoon for the team’s first road win in six games.
The Moose opened the scoring just 2:33 into the contest on a left point shot from defenseman Peter Stoykewych, which found its way through traffic and past Wild goaltender Steve Michalek (35 saves). The even-strength goal was assisted by winger Brody Sutter. The tally marked the seventh straight game where Iowa found itself in a 1-0 hole.
At the 8:15 mark of the opening period, Wild defenseman Zach Palmquist tied the game, as he rifled home a shot from the high slot for a 5-on-3 power-play goal. His fifth of the season was set up by forward Zack Mitchell and defenseman Ryan Murphy.
Defenseman Sami Niku put the home side back in front prior to intermission when he grabbed a loose puck outside the left circle of the offensive zone and beat Michalek for his 11th of the campaign. Forwards J.C. Lipon and Cam Maclise grabbed the assists.
After 20 minutes of play, the Wild trailed 2-1, but led in shots 12-8.
Iowa registered the only two goals in the middle frame, as center Pat Cannone banged home a rebound from the bottom of the left circle at the 5:22 mark, his 14th goal of the season. Winger Kurtis Gabriel and defenseman Carson Soucy notched the assists.
Just more than six minutes later, the Wild took its first lead of the contest when forward Ryan White, camped out in front of Moose goaltender Eric Comrie (24 saves), grabbed a loose puck and tucked a backhander past the Edmonton native and into the back of the net. Soucy, who launched the initial shot, got the primary assist, while the other helper went to Gabriel.
At the second intermission, the Wild held a 3-2 lead.
The Wild snagged a 4-2 advantage early in the third period when Mitchell struck on a breakaway just 3:28 into the stanza. On the play, defenseman Viktor Loov fired a pass through neutral ice, which Mitchell grabbed at the offensive line, allowing him to dart in alone on Comrie. After faking a shot, Mitchell deked past the left pad of Comrie and buried his second goal in as many games, and 13th of the year. Murphy also earned an assist, his second of the outing.
The Moose responded moments later, connecting on a power play to pull back within one. Winger Buddy Robinson got credit for the goal, his 23rd of the season.
Michalek shut the door the rest of the way, earning his 10th win overall, and his first since a January 13 victory also at Bell MTS Place.
Each team recorded a power-play goal in the fifth, consecutive one-goal meeting between the two clubs.
Final shots favored the Moose, 38-28. The Wild continue their road trip in Texas, as they take their three-game point streak into a contest against the Texas Stars on Wednesday, February 7. Puck drop is slated for 7:30 p.m.
The Iowa Wild 2017-18 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.