CURRY LEADS WILD TO 2-1 WIN AT FIRST PLACE ROCKFORD
Dec 26, 2014
CURRY LEADS WILD TO 2-1 WIN AT FIRST PLACE ROCKFORD
Iowa Goalie Makes 38 Saves in Road Victory
ROCKFORD, IL – The Iowa Wild (10-18-1-1, 22 points) defeated the Rockford IceHogs (18-10-3-1, 40 points) 2-1 in front of 5,161 fans on Friday at BMO Harris Bank Center. Iowa goalie John Curry (5-6-0) was nearly perfect in leading his club to a road victory, finishing with 38 saves, including 14 in the third period. Forward Jordan Schroeder scored the decisive goal, putting a backhand shot between his legs late in the second period. Leading scorer Tyler Graovac also picked up his team-leading 11th goal of the year. Forward Michael Keranen had two assists, as Iowa took its third win over the last four games. Rockford goalie Michael Leighton (7-7-2) made 22 saves for the loss. Iowa ends a two-game road swing on Saturday, Dec. 27 in Grand Rapids at 6 p.m. (CT)
Iowa struck for the game’s opening goal at 9:52 with a power-play strike for Tyler Graovac. The Wild worked the puck around from Michael Keranen to Jon Blum. The Iowa defenseman snapped a shot to the Rockford net that deflected off traffic to the right-wing circle. Graovac scooped up the loose puck and fired a wrist shot past goalie Michael Leighton for his team-leading 11th goal of the year and a 1-0 lead.
Rockford countered to tie the game 1-1 at 9:29 of the second period. The IceHogs used a quick transition, freeing up forward Teuvo Tervainen in the Wild zone for his fifth goal of the year. Forward Cody Bass and defenseman T.J. Brennan each picked up an assist on the shorthanded tally. Iowa moved back in front at 15:46 of the middle frame off a rebound goal by Jordan Schroeder. Defenseman Matt Dumba and Keranen each had an assist on Schroeder’s sixth goal of the season. Schroeder found a rebound in the crease and flipped a backhand shot between his legs and past Leighton for the 2-1 Iowa lead.
Despite getting outshot 14-4 over the final period of play, Iowa hung on behind the play of Curry, who made several key saves down the stretch.
The Wild plays in Grand Rapids on Saturday, Dec. 27 at 6 p.m. (CT). Iowa returns home on Monday, Dec. 29th at 7 p.m. to host Milwaukee. The team is partnering with LifeServe Blood Center for a blood drive, which runs from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Dec. 29. For donating, all fans will be rewarded with one ticket to a future Iowa Wild hockey game and an Iowa Wild hat. The first 50 fans that make a donation will be given an Iowa Wild hat, autographed by one of the players. For the game, fans may purchase the Subway Combo Pack, which starts at $12 per person and includes a ticket, hot dog, soda and a subway coupon.
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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