GRIFFINS BOUNCE BACK, BEAT WILD 4-1
Jan 11, 2014GRIFFINS BOUNCE BACK, BEAT WILD 4-1
Iowa Wraps Up Road Trip In Hamilton on Sunday, Returns Home Wednesday
Grand Rapids, MI – The Iowa Wild (15-15-2-2, 34 points) were defeated by the Grand Rapids Griffins (25-10-1-2, 55 points) 4-1 in front of 9,360 fans at Van Andel Arena on Saturday night. Forwards Tomas Jurco and Mitch Callahan connected for goals less than five minutes apart midway through the third period, helping the Griffins surge past the Wild. Grand Rapids goalie Tomas McCollum (15-7-1) stopped 17 of 18 shots in the victory. Iowa goalie John Curry (2-2-1) stopped 30 of 33, as his club fell to 8-4-1-2 on the road this season. Iowa still has points in 13 of the last 17 games (9-4-2-2) and is 2-1-0-2 on its current six-game road trip. Defenseman Kyle Medvec scored the team’s lone goal. Iowa concludes a six-game road trip on Sunday with a 3 p.m. (CT) meeting in Hamilton.
After nearly an entire scoreless first period, Iowa defenseman Kyle Medvec opened the scoring. Forwards Jake Dowell and Taylor Matson worked the puck deep in the Grand Rapids zone. Matson slipped a pass from the slot for Medvec in the left-wing circle. The Wild defenseman snapped a wrist shot over the glove of Griffins goalie Tom McCollum for his third goal of the season and a 1-0 lead. Medvec’s tally was his third in the last four games after going goalless in his first 30 games of the season.
In the second period, Grand Rapids tied the game off a fortunate bounce in the Iowa zone. The puck caromed off the station and kicked out to the slot for Andrej Nestrasil. The Griffins forward then snapped a wrist shot past John Curry for his fourth goal of the season and a 1-1 tie off the power-play tally.
In the third period, the Griffins netted a pair of goals just over four minutes apart to take a 3-1 lead. Mitch Callahan started the scoring tipping a point shot by defenseman Xavier Ouellet. Tomas Jurco added an assist on Callahan’s 15th goal of the season for the 2-1 lead. Jurco finished off a 2-on-1 rush with Corey Emmerton for a 3-1 lead at 11:21 of the third period. Emmerton set up Jurco’s 13th goal of the season for the 3-1 lead. Defenseman Adam Almquist added an assist on his team’s third goal of the evening. Defenseman Brennan Evans added an empty-net goal at 19:06 for the 4-1 final score.
Prior to the game, Iowa General Manager Jim Mill announced the team has recalled forward Taylor Matson from the Orlando Sola Bears, Iowa’s ECHL affiliate. Matson played in five games for the Bears, collecting two goals. He started the season with Iowa, playing in 26 games with three goals.
Iowa concludes its six-game road swing in Hamilton on Sunday at 3 p.m. The team returns home on Jan. 15 to host Toronto at 7:05 p.m. Fans that present a Subway receipt at the Wells Fargo Arena box office may purchase a ticket for $5. Iowa will also host Lake Erie on Friday or Saturday. Friday’s faceoff is set for 7:05 p.m. and features a PB&J Drive, presented by Zerorez. Fans are asked to bring jars of peanut butter or jelly to donate for movethefood.org. Those who donate will receive a voucher for a ticket to an upcoming Iowa Wild home game. Friday is also a $2 Beer Night, presented by 100.3 The Bus. Every Friday home game, fans may purchase a $2, ten-ounce domestic draft through the first period of play. Saturday’s game is the first matinee game in team history, as the Wild and the Monsters faceoff at 12:35 p.m. It is also Kids WinterFest with kids activities on the concourse. The first 5,000 fans to the game receive Iowa Wild Thundersticks. The game is also a Subway Family Four Pack Night, where fans may purchase 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas and 4 Subway BOGO coupons for as low as $44.
Fans may purchase single game tickets multiple ways, either through the team's website – www.Iowawild.com, Wells Fargo Arena box office or Dahl's Ticketing. Tickets are available online at www.iowawild.com under the single game tickets tab. Fans may also purchase tickets by calling 1-866-55-DAHLS (32457) or by visiting one of 13 Dahl's Food Stores locations in the greater Des Moines area, and in Ames. In order to purchase group tickets (10 or more), please call the Iowa Wild ticketing department at 515-564-8700. Fans interested in buying full season, or smaller season packages may call the Iowa Wild front office at 515-564-8700.
The Iowa Wild regular season is presented by Mercy Medical Center. Season tickets to see the Wild play at Wells Fargo Arena start at just $9 per game. For more information on tickets, please contact the Wild ticket office by calling 515-564-8700 or go to www.iowawild.com.
-- IOWA WILD --
· BECOME AN IOWA WILD SEASON TICKET HOLDER
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· IOWA WILD IN THE COMMUNITY
To schedule a Wild appearance, contact Jenna Bieri, marketing and community relations manager, at 515-564-8714 or email jenna.bieri@iowawild.com.
· IOWA WILD CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS
To create a customized advertising package for your company contact Ed Chamberlain, VP of corporate sales, at 515-564-8704 or email at edward.chamberlain@iowawild.com.
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