Gregoire and Graovac Help Wild Cruise Past Wolves 5-1
December 20, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Wild News Release
ROSEMONT, IL- The Iowa Wild (9-17-1-1, 20 points) defeated the Chicago Wolves (14-11-3-0, 31 points) 5-1 in front of 6,509 fans on Saturday night at Allstate Arena. Forwards Jason Gregoire and Tyler Graovac each scored twice, helping Iowa build a 4-1 lead through two periods of play and coast to victory. Center Brett Sutter also scored in the road win, Io wa's second regulation win over Chicago in team history. Iowa goalie Johan Gustafsson (5-10-1) stopped 24 as Iowa notched its fourth win over the last six games. Chicago goalie Matt Climie (7-7-2) made 27 saves in defeat. Iowa posted its second straight 5-1 victory after beating Rockford by the same margin at home on Tuesday. Iowa returns home to host Chicago at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
The Wild opened the scoring at 8:39 of the first period, as Brett Sutter scored to give his club a 1-0 lead. Sutter won an offensive-zone faceoff back to Danny Syvret at the Chicago blueline. Syvret rifled a shot to the Wolves net and Sutter tipped his sixth goal of the year past goalie Matt Climie. Less than two minutes later, Iowa made it 2-0 off a redirect by forward Jason Gregoire, his fourth goal of the year. Forward Michael Keranen and defenseman Alex Gudbranson each had an assist on the tally at 11:51 for the 2-0 score.
The Wild expanded its lead to 3-0 at 5:53 of the second period after Tyler Graovac scored off a loose puck to the side of the Chicago net. Climie mishandled the puck and Graovac scored his ninth goal of the year unassisted with a backhand shot. The Wolves trimmed the deficit to 3-1 at 13:19 of the second period. Mathieu Brodeur blasted a shot past Johan Gustafsson for his third goal of the year. Forwards Ty Rattie and Jason Welsh each had an assist on the goal. The Wild reclaimed its three-goal lead at 17:43 of the middle frame, as Gregoire potted his fifth goal of the season. Center Zack Phillips had the lone assist as Iowa moved ahead 4-1 through two periods of play.
The Wild connected for a power-play goal with 8:03 remaining in the third period, making it a 5-1 differential. Defenseman Matt Dumba and winger Jordan Schroeder each had an assist, setting up Graovac in the slot. The second-year center fired a shot that bounced off traffic and past Climie for his second goal of the night, his 10th of the season.
The Wild returns home for its final home game prior to the holiday break. The Wild and Wolves will play at Wells Fargo Arena on Sunday at 3 p.m. The game is a Subway Family Four Pack game, where fans may purchase four tickets, four sodas, four hot dogs and four Subway coupons, starting at just $48. All fans are encouraged to bring their own skates for a postgame skate on the ice at Wells Fargo Arena, presented by Grip Tite Foundation Repair
The Iowa Wild 2014-15 season is presented by Mercy Medical Center, it runs from October through April. Fans may purchase seats to see any of the team's 38 regular season home games at Wells Fargo Arena. Season tickets to see the Wild play at Wells Fargo Arena start at just $9 per game. For more information on tickets, including ticket plans and group seating, please contact the Wild ticket office by calling 515-564-8700 or go to www.iowawild.com .
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