WILD DISMANTLE GRIFFINS, WIN 6-1
Feb 11, 2022
DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa Wild (20-17-3-2; 45 pts.) defeated the Grand Rapids Griffins (17-18-5-2; 41 pts.) by a score of 6-1 in front of 8,023 fans at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday, Feb. 11. Wild forward Kyle Rau recorded his 100th assist as a member of the Iowa Wild, placing him in a tie with former Wild forward Cal O’Reilly for third place all-time in Iowa Wild franchise history.
Grand Rapids defenseman Ryan Murphy beat Wild goaltender Zane McIntyre (16 saves) from the right circle at 3:20 of the first period to give the Griffins a 1-0 lead.
Wild forward Marco Rossi deflected a shot from Wild defenseman Dakota Mermis past Griffins goaltender Victor Brattstrom (31 saves) at 7:54 of the first period. Rossi’s goal tied the game at one goal apiece and was assisted by Mermis and Wild forward Mason Shaw.
Iowa forward Bryce Misley scored on a one-timer from the right circle following a near-perfect pass from Wild defenseman Keaton Thompson at 11:49 of the first period. Misley’s goal gave Iowa a 2-1 lead and Thompson and Wild forward Nate Sucese recorded assists on the play.
Wild defenseman Jake Linhart scored on a wrist shot from the right point at 13:53 of the first period to give Iowa a 3-1 lead. Wild forward Dominic Turgeon and Rau tallied assists on Linhart’s first goal as a member of the Iowa Wild.
The Wild led 3-1 over the Griffins as both teams headed into the first intermission. Iowa outshot Grand Rapids 12-5 in the first stanza.
Rossi struck once more on a one-timer from the right circle with 57-seconds remaining in the second period to extend Iowa’s lead to 4-1. Wild forward Mitchell Chaffee and Linhart assisted on the goal.
With nine seconds remaining in the second period and the Wild on the powerplay, Rau deflected a point shot from Mermis past Brattstrom to give Iowa a 5-1 lead. Assists on Rau’s goal were recorded by Mermis and Linhart.
Iowa carried their 5-1 lead over Grand Rapids into the second intermission. The Wild outshot the Griffins 16-2 in the second period and led 28-7 in shots through two periods.
Following a scramble in front of Brattstrom, Chaffee rifled home his first goal of the game on the power play at 8:01 of the third period to give the Wild a 6-1 lead. Shaw and Wild defenseman Joe Hicketts were credited with assists on the play.
Iowa defended their lead through the end of regulation and prevailed by a score of 6-1. Shots in the third period were 10-9 in favor of Grand Rapids. The Wild outshot the Griffins 37-17 in the game.
Iowa went 2-for-4 and Grand Rapids went 0-for-3 on the power play on the night.
Next on the schedule for the Wild, a road contest in Rockford against the IceHogs on Feb. 15 at 7:00 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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