Wild Topples First Place Rockford 5-1
December 16, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Wild News Release
DES MOINES, IA- The Iowa Wild (8-17-1-1, 18 points) defeated the Rockford IceHogs (18-8-2-1, 39 points) 5-1 in front of 3,633 fans on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Arena. Goalies John Curry and Johan Gustafsson combined to make a team record 58 saves in a lopsided win over the AHL's Western Conference co-leaders. Defenseman Matt Dumba, as well as forwards Michael Keranen, Zack Phillips and Jordan Schroeder, each had a multi-point game as the Wild ended an eight-game losing streak to the IceHogs. Forwards Zack Mitchell and Jason Gregoire, as well as defenseman Jon Blum also scored, as Iowa improved to 5-9-0-0 at home this season. Curry played (4-6-0) the first two periods, grabbing the win with 33 saves on 34 shots. Gustafsson played the third period in relief, stopping all 25 shots he faced. Rockford goalie Michael Leighton (7-6-2) made 20 saves on 24 shots, as the Midwest Division leaders dropped to 10-5-0-1 on the road this season. Iowa will play at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Chicago, prior to returning home to host the Wolves at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Rockford tallied the period's lone goal at 8:21 of the opening period. Defenseman Kyle Cumiskey sprung forward Matt Carey for a breakaway. Carey snapped a wrist shot past John Curry for his fifth goal of the year and a 1-0 Hogs lead. Forward Mark McNeill added an assist on the opening goal.
Iowa erupted for three goals in the second period, starting by tying the game 1-1 at 7:41 of the middle period. Defenseman Jon Blum opened the scoring for the Wild, scoring with a shot from the blueline. Defenseman Matt Dumba and forward Michael Keranen each had an assist on the power-play goal, Blum's fourth tally of the season. Less than two minutes later, center Zack Phillips finished off a 2-on-1 rush with Jordan Schroeder, who set up Phillips for the one-timer at 9:16. Forward Stephane Veilleux had the second assist on Phillips' fifth goal of the season and a 2-1 Iowa lead. The Wild pushed its lead to 3-1 at 15:06 of the second period off Jason Gregoire's third tally of the season. Keranen and Phillips each had a hand in the goal, as Gregoire gave Iowa a two-goal lead heading into the final period.
Iowa added to its lead at 8:40 of the third period, as Dumba snapped a wrist shot from the blueline, beating Leighton for his third goal of the year. Forward Curt Gogol and Schroeder each had an assist on the tally, as Iowa made it 4-1. Forward Zack Mitchell added an empty-net goal from Brady Brassart at 17:46. The shorthanded empty-net tally was Mitchell's sixth goal of the year for the 5-1 final.
After road game at Chicago on Saturday, 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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