WILD COMEBACK BID FALLS SHORT IN 4-3 SHOOTOUT LOSS TO UTICA
Mar 15, 2015WILD COMEBACK BID FALLS SHORT IN 4-3 SHOOTOUT LOSS TO UTICA
Iowa Welcomes Charlotte on Saturday at 7 PM
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Wild (21-39-1-2, 45 points) were defeated by the Utica Comets (36-19-6-1, 79 points) 4-3 in a shootout in front of 4,944 fans on Sunday at Wells Fargo Arena. After rallying from a three-goal deficit, Iowa preserved the point in the shootout defeat. Defensemen Steve McCarthy and Collin Bowman, along with center Tyler Graovac led the rally with as Iowa scored three straight to force OT and the eventual shootout. Iowa goalie John Curry (11-16-1) stopped 29 of 32 shots in regulation and had no saves in two Utica attempts. Forwards Nicklas Jensen and Alex Friesen, as well as defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti each scored in the Comets road win. Utica goalie Jacob Markstrom (19-7-2) made 23 saves on 26 shots and was two of two in the shootout, recording the victory. Iowa ended it’s team record eight-game losing streak, but extended it’s winless streak at home to nine games in defeat (0-8-0-1). Iowa hosts Charlotte at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 21.
After a scoreless first period, Utica opened up the scoring 6:02 into the second period when forward Nicklas Jensen fired a wrist shot past Iowa goalie John Curry. Forward Cal O’Reilly assisted Jensen for his 12th goal this season, giving the Comets a 1-0 lead. Utica extended its lead after defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti scored at the 7:32. O’Reilly and forward Sven Baertschi aided Sanguinetti for his 15th goal this season, making it 2-0 Comets. Forward Alex Friesen scored at the 15:30 mark of the period for the 3-0 Utica lead. On the power play, Friesen deflected a one-timer from defenseman Alex Biega into the net. Defenseman Peter Andersson also fed Biega the puck for Friesen's ninth goal this season. Forward Tyler Graovac scored a power-play goal 18:47 of the period for Iowa’s first goal of the game. Defensemen Jon Blum and Steve McCarthy assisted Graovac for his 20th goal this year, cutting Utica’s lead to 3-1.
In the third period, the Wild cut the lead to one when defenseman Collin Bowman scored a power-play goal at 8:01 mark. Blum and forward Michael Keranen set up the play for Bowman’s second goal this season, making it 3-2 Utica. Iowa tied the game after McCarthy scored his first goal of the season at 13:10 of the period. Forward Brett Sutter assisted McCarthy on the play, making it 3-3 and sending the game into overtime.
After a scoreless overtime, the two teams skated to a shootout. Forwards Brandon DeFazio and Alexandre Grenier each scored for Utica in the shootout. Comets goalie Jacob Markstrom stopped two of two of the Wild’s shootout attempts for the 4-3 final.
Iowa continues its six-game home stand with Charlotte at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 21. The day of the game, Iowa is hosting the first ever “Bags and Brews On Ice” tournament from 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. The event, sponsored by Summit Brewing, Lazer 103.3 and Tailgate Addicts – features a keg from Summit Brewing, music and a stream of the NCAA tournament games up on the video board. The team is holding a silent auction on the concourse, benefitting the American Heart Association (AHA). Fans may bid on the team’s AHA warm-up jerseys through the first two periods of the game. The first 1,500 fans to Saturday’s game receive an Iowa Wild duffel bag, sponsored by Iowa Ortho & Lazer 103.3. Every Saturday night 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 postgame beer at the downtown Legends American Grill location.
Iowa and Charlotte meet again at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 22. The team celebrates Agriculture Appreciation Day on with the first 5,000 fans receiving a cowbell, presented by sponsored by Verizon Wireless. Fans may also purchase the Subway Combo Pack, which starts at $12 per person, including a ticket, a hot dog, a soda – also presented by More 104 FM.
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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