IOWA BATTLES BACK TO EARN POINT IN 3-2 OVERTIME LOSS AT GRAND RAPIDS

Feb 28, 2024

GAME REPORT 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Iowa Wild battled back from an early two-goal deficit to earn a point in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Grand Rapids Griffins at Van Andel Arena on Wednesday night. Jesper Wallstedt stopped 35-of-38 shots and Brett Budgell picked up his first career AHL point.

The Griffins scored a pair of goals 28 seconds apart midway through the opening frame. Zach Aston-Reese kicked off the scoring at 9:22 when he elevated a shot over the left shoulder of Wallstedt from close quarters. 

Marco Kasper put Grand Rapids up 2-0 with a snap shot over the glove of Wallstedt on a partial breakaway moments later. 

Adam Raska pulled Iowa back within a goal before the break. After Budgell won a battle in the corner and freed the puck up into the left circle, Raska released a quick wrister to the short side of Sebastian Cossa (26 saves) at 15:29. 

Grand Rapids carried the 2-1 lead into the first intermission and outshot Iowa 13-12 in the opening 20 minutes.  

Caedan Bankier tied the game with a highlight reel goal at 15:45 of the second period. Bankier received a pass from Simon Johansson, walked around Simon Edvinsson, and elevated a backhand over Cossa.  

Iowa outshot Grand Rapids 26-21 through 40 minutes of play. 

The Griffins surged throughout the third period and outshot Iowa 12-2, but Wallstedt came up with several key saves to force overtime.  

Edvinsson scored the game-winner with six seconds left in overtime to earn Grand Rapids the extra point. 

Grand Rapids outshot Iowa 38-28. The Wild were 0-for-2 with the man advantage and held the Griffins scoreless on three power play opportunities. 

Iowa and Grand Rapids meet again at Van Andel Arena on Friday, Mar. 1 at 6 p.m. 

For more information on Iowa Wild hockey, please visit www.iowawild.com. Fans can purchase single-game tickets through the team’s website at www.iowawild.com. Group tickets (10 or more), suites, Wild 365 memberships or premium tickets can be purchased by contacting the Iowa Wild Ticket Department at 515-564-8700 or tickets@iowawild.com. Season tickets for 2023-24 are on sale now. Fans can purchase season tickets for the upcoming season at https://www.iowawild.com/wild-365. 

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