IOWA TAKES SECOND STRAIGHT, BEATS OKC 4-2
Nov 14, 2014
IOWA TAKES SECOND STRAIGHT, BEATS OKC 4-2
Same Two Teams Play Again on Saturday
DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Wild (4-10-0-0, 8 points) defeated the Oklahoma City Barons (5-4-2-1, 13 points) 4-2 in front of 4,989 fans at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday night. A three-goal first period propelled the Wild to its second straight victory. Iowa rookie defenseman Alex Gudbranson netted his first career goal to begin the trio of scores in the first, followed by forwards Brett Sutter and Tyler Graovac. The Barons pulled within a goal in the second period, but an insurance tally from forward Marc Hagel secured the Wild’s win. Iowa goalie Johan Gustafsson (4-6-0) made 26 saves on 28 shots to preserve the win. Oklahoma City goalie Richard Bachman (3-1-2) stopped 17 of 21 shots in the defeat. Iowa will host Oklahoma City again tomorrow at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
In the first period, Iowa opened the scoring when rookie defenseman Alex Gudbranson fired a shot, from just inside the blue line, past Oklahoma City goalie Richard Bachman at the 6:46 mark. Gudbranson’s unassisted goal made it 1-0 Wild and was the first goal of his career. The Wild extended its lead to 2-0 when forward Brett Sutter scored his second goal of the season 16:03 into the period. Rookie forward Ryan Walters aided Sutter on the play. Iowa scored again 35 seconds later when forward Tyler Graovac found the back of the net on a power play at 16:38, making it 3-0 Wild. Graovac’s third goal of the season was assisted by defenseman Danny Syvert and forward Zack Phillips.
Oklahoma City reduced Iowa’s lead to 3-1 early in the second period after forward Matthew Ford rebounded a shot by defenseman Brad Hunt to score a power-play goal at 2:03. Hunt and forward Anton Lander tallied assists on Ford’s second goal this year. The Barons drew within one of the Wild when forward Kale Kessy netted his third goal of the season at 13:49. Kessy’s goal made it 3-2 Wild and was aided by Lander and forward Steve Pinizzotto. Iowa retook a two-goal lead when forward Marc Hagel scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season at the 17:40 mark. Graovac and forward Zack Mitchell set up the play to give the Wild a 4-2 lead.
Iowa concludes its two-game home stand against the visiting Oklahoma City Barons along with ALS Weekend at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15. The Wild will also celebrate Veterans Weekend on Saturday with specialty camouflage jerseys, in appreciation of our veterans who have served the U.S. sponsored by ALS of Iowa. On Saturday night, the first 2,500 fans through the gates will be handed an Iowa Wild camo hat, sponsored by Iowa National Guard. After the game, the Wild will hold a live jersey auction, with the proceeds benefitting the ALS Association – Iowa Chapter. After stops in Rockford and Chicago next weekend, Iowa returns home at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23 to face Milwaukee. On Sunday fans can bring skates to take part in the postgame skate after the game, sponsored by Grip-Tite Foundation Repair. Fans are encouraged to bring canned foods to the game on Sunday to support a canned food drive presented by Fire Creek Grill. It’s also a Subway Family Four Pack game, where fans may buy four tickets, four sodas and four hot dogs, starting at $48.
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.
-- IOWA WILD --
· BECOME AN IOWA WILD SEASON TICKET HOLDER
For more info on season ticket packages call 515-564-8700 or email nick.woods@iowawild.com
· 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 Brian Mather, VP of Sales, at 515-564-8720 or email at brian.mather@iowawild.com.
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