Rockford Outlasts Iowa 7-4
October 14, 2017 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Wild News Release
ROCKFORD, IL - The Iowa Wild (1-3-0-0, 2 points) were defeated by the Rockford IceHogs (2-0-0-0, 4 points) 7-4 in front of 4,687 fans on Saturday night at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Despite four even strength goals and a balanced offensive output, special teams proved to be the difference as Rockford scored twice on the power play and its shorthanded goal midway through the third period proved pivotal. Former Wild forward Tyler SIkura scored the shorthanded goal 10:07 into the third period, breaking a 4-4 tie and propelling the Hogs past the Wild. In the home opener Rockford rookie center Matthew Highmore scored twice and the Hogs added two late empty-net goals to win by three. In the first Iowa road game of the season, defensemen Alex Grant had a goal and an assist, while center Cal O'Reilly and Ryan Malone each set up two tallies for multi-point nights. Defenseman Mike Reilly, as well as forwards Colton Beck and Justin Kloos each chipped in with a goal. IceHogs goalie J.F. Berube (2-0-0) stopped 27 of 31 shots in the win. Wild goaltender Niklas Svedberg (1-3-0) made a season-high 39 saves on 44 shots in defeat. Iowa returns home for three straight home games starting Friday at 7 p.m. with a visit from the Manitoba Moose.
After 18:19 of scoreless play, Iowa tallied the game's first goal after defenseman Alex Grant followed his own shot and snuck the rebound past goalie J.F. Berube for his first goal of the season. Center Cal O'Reilly had the lone assist as Iowa claimed a 1-0 lead. The Hogs capitalized on a power play at 19:06 after Matthew Highmore tipped a point shot from defenseman Ville Pokka for the 1-1 score. Defenseman Alexandre Fortin added an assist on Highmore's second goal of the season. With 21 seconds remaining in the first frame the Hogs pushed in front 2-1 off Highmore's second goal of the game. Fortin added his second assist of the night helping Rockford take a one-goal lead to the locker room.
Iowa pulled even at 7:24 of the middle period as Colton Beck beat Berube with a wrist shot for his second goal of the season. Grant played the puck off the Rockford end wall, banking the pass the Beck, who was parked to the left of the IceHogs net. Pat Cannone added an assist as Iowa tied the score 2-2. The Hogs used the power play to push back in front 3-2 at 9:47. Defenseman Erik Gustafsson blasted a one-timer from the right-wing circle for his first goal of the season. Center Vinnie Hinostroza and right wing David Kampf each picked up an assist on the goal. Iowa countered with Mike Reilly's first goal of the season at 11:18, tying the game 3-3. Defenseman Hunter Warner started the rush with a snap pass to center ice for winger Ryan Malone. He carried deep down the right side of the Hogs zone and centered to Reilly, who jumped in on the rush and put the puck past Berube to tie the game. Iowa claimed a 4-3 lead at 14:18 after Justin Kloos swept a rebound past Bereube for his first goal of the season. Malone and O'Reilly each had an assist on Iowa's fourth goal of the night. For the second straight period, the IceHogs struck for a goal in the last minute of play. Anthony Louis finished off a centering feed from William Pelletier for his first goal of the season and a 4-4 score. Forward Luke Johnson added an assist on the goal at 19:04.
The IceHogs regained the lead at 10:07 of the third period when former Wild forward Tyler Sikura potted a rebound off a shot from Graham Knott for his first AHL goal and a 5-4 Rockford lead. The shorthanded goal also marked the first career point for Sikura. Hinostroza and Matheson Iacopelli each added empty-net goals in the last minute of play for the 7-4 final score.
The Wild returns home to meet the Manitoba Moose on Friday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. Ladies Night is presented by Style Encore. It is also a Bus Beer night with $2 beers presented by 100.3 The Bus. There is also a $2 off Barefoot Refresh special presented by Barefoot Wine. The Collegeville ticket special is available for purchase at the game presented by KISS FM.
Iowa and Manitoba faceoff again on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena. There is a pregame tailgate party, showcasing the local concert series performance. Decoy performs from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the South Side Patio. Fans may purchase two tallboys for $10 for the local concert series. The Brewdog pack is also available for purchase at the game.
Follow the Iowa Wild on Twitter @IAWILD or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iawild .
The Iowa Wild 2017-18 season is presented by Mercy Medical Center: and 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 2017-18 season at Wells Fargo Arena start at just $10 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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