CHARLOTTE���S SECOND-PERIOD SURGE SINKS IOWA 4-2
Feb 19, 2015CHARLOTTE’S SECOND-PERIOD SURGE SINKS IOWA 4-2
Iowa Heads to Milwaukee on Saturday, Returns Home Tuesday
CHARLOTTE, NC – The Iowa Wild (17-36-1-1, 36 points) were defeated by the Charlotte Checkers (20-26-5-1, 46 points) 4-2 in front of 4,892 fans on Thursday night at Time Warner Cable Arena. Checkers Brock McGinn, Zack Boychuk and Keegan Lowe netted second-period goals, helping Charlotte erase a 1-0 deficit and take a 3-1 lead. Despite outshooting Charlotte 28-20 in the final two periods, Iowa could only pull within a 3-2 deficit before falling to the Checkers by a pair. Charlotte goalie John Muse (6-9-2) made 33 saves on 35 shots, as Iowa suffered its seventh straight defeat, a new team record. Wild rookie Zack Mitchell set a new team mark for goals by a rookie in a season with his 15th tally of the season. Center Zack Phillips also scored as the Wild played its second of three straight on the road. Iowa goalie Johan Gustafsson (7-18-1) made 29 saves in defeat. Iowa remains in Charlotte at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19.
The Wild struck for the game’s opening goal at 7:12 of the first period, taking a 1-0 lead off Zack Mitchell’s 15th goal of the year. Forwards March Hagel and Tyler Graovac each had a hand in the play, which finished with a one-timer off the stick of Mitchell from the left-wing circle. With the goal, he surpassed Erik Haula’s record for most goals in a season by a rookie.
The Checkers scored 58 seconds into the second period, tying the game 1-1 off a rebound tally by Brock McGinn. His fourth goal in the last three games was set up by defenseman Michal Jordan and center Justin Shugg. Charlotte scored its second straight goal at 4:50 of the middle fame with a rebound goal by Zach Boychuk. Defenseman Keegan Lowe and winger Chad LaRose each had an assist on Boychuk’s seventh goal of the year. The Checkers tallied a 4-on-4 goal at 11:11, as Lowe crashed the crease and found a rebound for his second goal of the year. McGinn and Dennis Robertson each had an assist on the goal that made it 3-1 Checkers. The Wild trimmed the deficit to 3-2 with only 2:26 left in the second period. Zack Phillps rifled a shot from the right-wing circle, through traffic and past Muse for his seventh goal of the year. Rookie defenseman Collin Bowman picked up the lone assist on the play.
Forward Brendan Woods finalized the scoring with 1:21 remaining in regulation. Alex Aleardi found Woods open and alone in front of the Iowa net for his ninth goal of the year. Lowe added an assist for the final score of 4-2.
After a stop in Milwaukee on Saturday, Iowa returns home at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24 to face Grand Rapids. It’s a Taco Tuesday – presented by Taco Johns, where each fan that comes to the game receives a coupon for a free crispy beef taco from Taco Johns. It’s also a two-for-one Tuesday, where fans may purchase one attack end ticket and receive a second ticket one free, sponsored by Hits 99.9 FM. Also, those who bring in a Subway receipt may purchase a $5 game ticket at the box office. Iowa is also hosting a food drive, presented by Zerorez. Fans are encouraged to bring in a canned fruit item to receive a ticket voucher to a future regular season weekday game.
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.
###