BARONS EDGE WILD 4-3 IN OT
Apr 18, 2014BARONS EDGE WILD 4-3 IN OT
Graovac's Big Night Spoiled By Late Barons Tally
Oklahoma City, OK – The Iowa Wild (27-36-7-5, 66 points) were defeated by the Oklahoma City Barons (35-29-2-9, 81 points) 4-3 in overtime in front of 4,344 fans at Cox Convention Center on Friday night. Forward C.J. Stretch broke a 3-3 tie with 1:39 remaining in overtime, scoring off a transitional rush to propel the Barons into the postseason with the overtime win. Iowa claimed it’s first lead of the night at 15:08 of the third period off rookie Kurtis Gabriel’s goal, but lost the lead with 2:01 left as Roman Horak forced overtime with his 23rd goal of the year. Iowa rookie Tyler Graovac scored twice over a 39-second stretch of the second period and added an assist for his first career three-point night. Barons’ goalie Richard Bachman (26-19-6) made 33 saves and Captain Anton Lander added three assists for the win. Gabriel (1g,1a) and forward Brad Winchester (2a) each recorded a two-point night as Iowa fell to 16-14-4-3 on the road this season. Wild goalie Johan Gustafsson (12-20-3) made 23 saves in defeat. The Wild concludes its regular season in Oklahoma City at 7 p.m. this Saturday.
The Wild started the first with some penalty trouble, but managed to kill off three Oklahoma City power plays. The Barons broke through the Wild defense at 13:24 of the first period with a tally by Austin Fyten. The Oklahoma City streaked down the right-wing wall and slip a wrist shot inside the post and past goalie Johan Gustafsson for the 1-0 score. Forwards Anton Lander and Andrew Miller each had an assist on Fyten’s seventh goal of the season. In the last two minutes of the period, defenseman David Musil made it a 2-0 lead for Oklahoma City. A rebound kicked out to the high slot and the Barons defenseman beat Gustafsson with a slapshot for the two-goal lead. Lander and forward Roman Horak had the assists on Musil’s second goal of the year.
Iowa stormed back in the second period behind the play of rookie Tyler Graovac. The Wild trimmed the deficit to 2-1 at 11:35 of the middle frame. Forward Brad Winchester snapped a pass out of the Barons corner, finding Graovac in the high slot. The Wild forward ripped a shot past goalie Richard Bachman for his 11th goal of the season. Winger Zack Phillips added an assist as Iowa pulled within a goal. Merely 39 seconds later, Graovac struck for his second goal of the night at 12:14 for his 12th goal of the year. Similar to the first goal, Graovac was set up to the left of the high slot and received a pass from rookie Kurtis Gabriel. Graovac beat Bachman for the second time, scoring the two fastest goals by a single player all year. Forward Jamie MacQueen added the assist on Iowa’s second goal of the night.
The Wild scored with 4:52 left in the third period to take a 3-2 lead. Kurtis Gabriel found a loose rebound in the Barons slot and potted his second goal of the season. Graovac and Winchester each added an assist on the tally. Oklahoma City pulled even with 2:01 left in the third, forward Roman Horak beat Gustafsson with a slapshot for his 23rd goal of the year and a 3-3 tie. Lander and Matthew Ford each had an assist on the game-tying goal, forcing overtime.
After an Iowa scoring chance, the Barons transitioned quickly through center and into the Wild zone. Forward C.J. Stretch beat Gustafsson with a wrist shot at 3:21 of overtime. Forward Andrew Miller added an assist on the game-winning goal for the 4-3 final.
The Wild concludes its regular season in Oklahoma City at 7 p.m. on April 19.
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.
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