MARLIES PULL AWAY FROM WILD 5-1
Feb 7, 2015MARLIES PULL AWAY FROM WILD 5-1
Iowa Concludes Roadie in Hamilton on Tuesday, Returns Home Feb. 13
TORONTO, ON, CANADA – The Iowa Wild (17-30-1-1, 34 points) were defeated by the Toronto Marlies (19-18-9-0, 47 points) 5-1 in front of 6,795 fans on Saturday afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum. Gregg McKegg scored twice and goalie Christopher Gibson did the bulk of the work, losing a shutout in the last minute play. Gibson (10-11-3) made 17 saves in the second period and finished with 32 saves on 33 Wild shots. Matt Frattin, Josh Leivo and William Nylander also scored for the Marlies, ending the team’s three-game winless skid (0-2-1-0). Iowa goalie Darcy Kuemper (2-3-0) stopped 21 of 26 Marlies’ shots for the loss. Forward Zack Mitchell scored the team’s lone goal and Iowa fell to 0-7-0-0 when attempting to win the club’s third straight game this season. Iowa visits Hamilton at 6:30 p.m. (CT) on Feb. 10, concluding a four-game road trip.
Merely 5:48 into the opening period, defenseman Andrew MacWilliam sprung forward Greg McKegg for a breakaway. The Marlies forward beat goalie Darcy Kuemper for his ninth goal of the season and a 1-0 Toronto lead. Right wing Brendan Kozun added an assist on the game’s opening goal.
The Marlies made it 2-0 at 18:20 of the second period. Center Spencer Abbott carried the puck behind the Iowa net and centered to the slot for Matt Frattin. The Toronto winger tallied his 13th goal of the season for the two-goal edge. Forward Byron Froese added an assist on the goal, as the Marlies led 2-0 after two periods of play.
Just past the halfway point of the third period, Toronto pulled away from Iowa with two goals over 35 seconds. Defenseman Viktor Loov fired a pass from the right point to the back door, hitting McKegg for the redirection. His second of the game and 10th of the year was also assisted by William Nylander for the 3-0 lead at 11:05. The Marlies struck again less than a minute later at 11:40, as Josh Leivo snuck a shot past Kuemper from the Iowa goal line. Kozun added the assist on Leivo’s fourth goal of the season and a 4-0 lead. Connecting for a late power-play goal, Nylander tucked in a rebound with 2:13 remaining in the final period. Defenseman Eric Knodel and center Ryan Rupert each had an assist on Nylander’s second goal of the season and a 5-0 Toronto lead. The Wild spoiled Gibson’s shutout bid at 19:26 of the third period. Off a loose puck scramble in front of the net, rookie Zack Mitchell scored his 14th goal of the season. Winger Marc Hagel added the assist for the 5-1 final score.
Iowa concludes a four-game road trip with a stop in Hamilton, including the next game on Tuesday, Feb. 10 in Hamilton at 6:30 p.m. (CT). The Wild returns home at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13 to face the Texas Stars, the start of a three-game home stand. Before Friday’s game, the Wild is holding a Career Fair from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the Career Fair is free, and any participants taking part in the fair receives a free ticket to Friday’s game. On Saturday Feb. 14, Iowa hosts Texas and is celebrating Pink in The Rink. The first 7,500 fans at Saturday’s game receive a pink LED light, presented by Susan G. Komen of Iowa and 1700 The Champ. As part of Pink In The Rink, Iowa dons pink-in-the-rink themed specialty jerseys. After the game, the team is holding a live postgame jersey auction, with the proceeds benefitting Susan G. Komen of Iowa. Fans may purchase the Brewdog Pack, presented by Legends American Grill. The package starts at $15 per fan, consisting of a ticket, a Wild puck, a hot dog and a beer at the game. Fans also receive a beer at Legends American Grill – downtown location.
Iowa finishes its three-game home stand at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb.15 against the Oklahoma City Barons. Sunday’s game is Crash’s birthday party, where the team celebrates with a superhero and mascot party. Numerous local mascots and super heroes will be on hand to help ring in Crash’s big day. The first 1,500 fans at Sunday’s game will receive an Iowa Wild insulated lunch bag, sponsored by Star 102.5. Fans may purchase the More 104 Subway Combo Pack, which starts at $12 per person, including a ticket, a hot dog, a 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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