RAU NETS HAT TRICK, WILD DEFEAT ROADRUNNERS 6-1
Apr 5, 2022
TUCSON, Ariz. – Iowa Wild (26-27-4-4; 60 pts.) defeated the Tucson Roadrunners (20-32-5-1; 46 pts.) by a final score of 6-1 on Tuesday, Apr. 5 at Tucson Arena. Wild forward Kyle Rau scored three goals in the game to record his first hat trick since Mar. 2, 2019.
Roadrunners forward Ben McCartney collected a rebound behind Wild goaltender Zane McIntyre (26 saves) and scored the game’s first goal on the power play at 10:33 of the first period.
With Iowa on the power play, Wild defenseman Calen Addison ripped a one-timer from the point past Tucson goaltender Josef Korenar (36 saves) at 15:24 of the first period to tie the game 1-1. Assists on the play were credited to Iowa forwards Mitchell Chaffee and Connor Dewar.
The Wild and the Roadrunners were tied 1-1 after trading power play goals in the first period. Iowa outshot Tucson 20-9 in the period.
At 6:41 of the second period, Dewar fed a near-perfect pass from behind the Tucson net to Rau, who lifted the puck past Korenar to give Iowa a 2-1 lead. Dewar and Wild forward Mason Shaw recorded assists on the goal.
After a shot off the stick of Iowa forward Adam Beckman rang off the post, Wild forward Nolan Stevens shoveled the rebound into the Roadrunners net to extend Iowa’s lead to 3-1 at 10:17 of the second period. Beckman and Wild forward Nick Swaney each notched an assist on Stevens’ first goal since Mar. 9, 2022.
With the Wild on a 5-on-3 power play, Rau deflected an Addison point shot past Korenar to give Iowa a 4-1 lead at 16:04 of the second period. Addison and Wild forward Marco Rossi both tallied assists on what was Rau’s second goal of the game.
Following a three-goal second period from the Wild, Iowa led 4-1 over Tucson. The Wild led 11-6 in shots in the second stanza and 31-15 through two periods.
Rau scored his third goal of the game when he deflected a Shaw shot from the right circle past Korenar at 5:56 of the third period. The goal gave Iowa a 5-1 lead and the assists were credited to Shaw and Wild defenseman Dakota Mermis.
Rossi scored on a one-timer from the slot off a pass from Chaffee at 8:59 of the third period to extend the Wild’s lead to 6-1. Chaffee was the only Wild skater to record an assist on Rossi’s goal.
Iowa did not relent and did not allow another Tucson goal as they secured a 6-1 victory. The Roadrunners outshot the Wild 12-11 in the third period, but Iowa finished the game with a 42-27 lead in shots.
Iowa’s power play was effective as they went 2-for-6 and Tucson went 1-for-5 on the night.
Next on the schedule for Iowa, a second consecutive matchup with the Roadrunners in Tucson on Wednesday, Apr. 6 at 8:30 p.m. CT.
Iowa Wild hockey is presented by MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center. For more information, please visit www.iowawild.com. Fans can purchase single-game tickets through the team’s website at www.iowawild.com. Group tickets (10 or more), suites, Wild 365 memberships or premium tickets can be purchased by contacting the Iowa Wild Ticket Department at (515) 564-8700 or tickets@iowawild.com. The 2022-23 season marks the 10th anniversary of Iowa Wild hockey. Fans can purchase season tickets for the 10th anniversary season at https://www.iowawild.com/wild-365.
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