AHL Iowa Wild

Bertschy's Hat Trick Thrills 8,624 in 5-4 OT Win

January 29, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Wild News Release


DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa Wild (12-27-3-3, 30 points) defeated the Charlotte Checkers (25-13-2-2, 53 points) 5-4 in OT in front of 8,624 fans at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday night. Wild forward Grayson Downing scored at 2:13 of overtime, capping off a come-from-behind victory on a record-breaking night for the Wild. Right Wing Christoph Bertschy tallied three goals, including the game-tying goal with 58 seconds remaining for the first hat trick in Iowa Wild history. Forward Jordan Schroeder had four assists, breaking a franchise record for most assists and points in one game. Iowa goalie Jeremy Smith (5-13-3) made 28 saves on 32 shots in the win. Checkers defensemen Trevor Carrick and Ryan Murphy, as well as forwards Patrick Brown and Brendan Woods, each scored a goal in the Charlotte loss. Checkers goalie Daniel Altshuller (9-2-2) made 38 saves on 43 shots in the defeat. The two teams faceoff Saturday for a matinee rematch at 12:30 P.M. at Wells Fargo Arena.

Checkers forward Patrick Brown scored at 16:26 of the first period, helping Charlotte grab a 1-0 lead. Defenseman Jake Chelios and forward Brendan Woods each tallied an assist on the opening goal. Chelios corralled the puck at the point and threw a shot towards the net. Crashing the net, Brown redirected the puck past goalie Jeremy Smith for his sixth goal of the season.

Wild forward Christoph Bertschy tied the game 1-1 just 1:23 into the second period. Forward Jordan Schroeder and defenseman Christian Folin setup the goal. Folin fired a pass to Schroeder from the right point. Schroeder redirected the pass to the slot, leaving goalie Daniel Altshuller out of position. Skating through the slot, Bertschy one-timed the puck into the open net for his fifth goal of the season. Charlotte defenseman Trevor Carrick scored at 6:28 of the period, regaining a 2-1 lead. Defenseman Keegan Lowe picked up the lone assist. Carrick took a pass from Lowe and walked the puck in from the point, beating Smith with a low wrist shot on the glove side for his ninth goal of the season. Checkers defenseman Ryan Murphy scored at 7:12 of the period, building Charlotte's lead to 3-1. Murphy ripped a shot through traffic in front of the net, bouncing the puck off a Wild defender and into the net for his fifth goal of the season. Defenseman Rasmus Rissanen and left wing Kyle Hagel each tallied an assist on the goal. Wild forward Zack Mitchell answered with a goal of his own at 7:51, cutting the Checkers lead to 3-2. Mitchell carried the puck down the right side and wristed a low shot underneath the glove of Altshuller for his 14th goal of the season. Bertschy scored his second goal of the night at 19:01 of the period, tying the game 3-3. Schroeder earned his second assist of the night and forward Grayson Downing tallied an assist as well. Bertschy was denied by Altshuller on his first scoring attempt but flipped the rebound over the goalie's shoulder for his sixth goal of the season.

Checkers forward Brendan Woods scored at 18:27 of the third period, giving Charlotte a 4-3 lead. Center Brody Sutter tallied an assist on the play. Sutter won an offensive-zone faceoff back to Woods and he fired a wrist shot from the right circle, beating Smith over the glove for his seventh goal of the season. Bertschy scored at 19:04 of the period, tying the game 4-4. Forwards Tyler Graovac and Jordan Schroeder each picked up an assist on Bertschy's third goal of the game, giving him his first career hat trick. Bertschy flew into the offensive zone, firing a wrist shot from the left boards. He found the upper-right corner, beating Altshuller for his seventh goal of the season.

Wild forward Grayson Downing scored a shorthanded goal at 2:13 of overtime, giving Iowa a 5-4 victory. Schroeder tallied his fourth assist of the night on the goal and defenseman Mike Reilly picked up an assist as well. Schroeder wristed the puck on net from the right boards and Downing tipped the puck past Altshuller for his 12th goal of the season.

Iowa hosts the Charlotte Checkers again on Saturday afternoon. Saturday's game is John Torchetti Bobblehead Day, sponsored by NASH FM and NASH ICON. The first 1,500 fans receive a bobblehead of Coach Torchetti. Fans may also purchase the Brewdog Pack, which includes one ticket, one beer, one hotdog, and one free Budweiser or Bud Light at the Legends American Grill. There will also be Subway and Star 102.5 combo packs available for purchase. Starting at $12, the pack includes one ticket, one hot dog, one soda, and one Subway coupon.

The Wild returns home after the All-Star break for a game against the Chicago Wolves on Friday, Feb. 5. Friday's game is "Health & Wellness Night" and the first 1,500 fans to the game receive an Iowa Wild eye chart, sponsored by Lifetime Vision and WHO AM of iHeart Media. The Wild are also hosting a Book Drive courtesy of Read Across American and ISEA. Fans donate a book and receive a ticket voucher to a future Iowa Wild weekday game. The "Bring Your Buds Bundle" is also available for purchase, including one ticket, one 16 oz. Budweiser or Bud Light at the game, one hotdog, one popcorn, $1 off a Budweiser or Bud Light 25 oz. can during the Wild game, and one free beer at Carl's Place following the game.

Fans may purchase single-game tickets multiple ways, either through the team's website - www.Iowawild.com, the Wells Fargo Arena box office or participating Hy-Vee food stores. Tickets are available online at www.Iowawild.com under the single game tickets tab. The Wells Fargo Arena box office is open Monday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and closed on Sunday. For Saturday game days, the box office will open at 10 a.m. For Sunday game days the box office will open at 12 p.m. Fans may also purchase tickets by calling 1-844-55-HYVEE or by visiting participating Hy-Vee food stores locations in the greater Des Moines area. Those interested may also visit www.hy-veetix.com. Fans interested in buying full season, or smaller season packages may call the Iowa Wild front office at 515-564-8700.

The Iowa Wild 2015-16 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 its 2015-16 season 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.

Follow the Iowa Wild on Twitter @IAWILD or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iawild.

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