IOWA COMES UP SHORT IN 3-2 LOSS AT ROCKFORD
Mar 6, 2021
Iowa Wild (3-5-1-0; 7 pts.) fell one goal short to the Rockford IceHogs (2-7-1-0; 5 pts.), losing 3-2 at BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford, Ill. Wild forward Gabriel Dumont extended his league-leading point streak to nine games with a goal in the first period.
Dumont continued his career-high point streak with a goal at 4:26 of the opening period. Forwards Will Bitten and Mason Shaw combined for a pair of quick passes from behind the net of IceHogs’ goaltender Collin Delia (35 saves) springing Dumont for a one-time finish low in the slot. For the third straight game, the Wild struck first and took the lead 1-0.
Rockford recorded an equalizer at 9:23 of the first frame with a slapshot by defenseman Cody Franson from just inside the blueline. Franson’s shot beat Wild goaltender Hunter Jones (16 saves) over his left shoulder tying the game 1-1.
The IceHogs grabbed the lead at 12:46 of the opening period when forward Matej Chalupa sent a slap shot under the blocker of Jones to put Rockford in front 2-1.
After 20 minutes of play, Iowa trailed Rockford 2-1 but had the edge in shots 13-3.
The IceHogs extended their lead to 3-1 with a power play goal from Franson at 11:34 of the second period.
Iowa had a goal disallowed at 15:05 of the second stanza after Bitten redirected a shot by defenseman Ian McCoshen passed Delia with his left skate. The officials deemed Bitten sent the puck in with a kicking motion and waived off the goal.
The Wild narrowed the lead to 3-2 thanks to forward Cody McLeod at 16:01 of the second period. Defenseman Josh Atkinson sifted a point shot off Delia’s right pad and McLeod jammed in the rebound. Forward Joseph Cramarossa picked up the second assist on the tally.
With a goal scored on both sides of the ice in the second period, the IceHogs led 3-2 after two periods of play. Iowa outshot Rockford 17-11 in the second period and led in total shots 30-14.
Iowa’s best opportunity to tie the game in the third came with just under three minutes to play in the game. Forward Connor Dewar picked up a rebound at the right post and was stymied by Delia who made a save with the paddle of his stick while lying on his back in the goal crease.
Despite outshooting Rockford 7-5 in the third period and 37-19 in total, the Wild were unable to climb back even as the IceHogs held on for their second win of the season by a final score of 3-2.
The Wild went 0-3 on power play opportunities in the game, while Rockford finished the contest 1-3 on the man-advantage.
Iowa wraps up the weekend with their final game of a six-game road swing on Mar. 7 at BMO Harris Bank Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT.
Iowa Wild hockey is presented by MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center. For more information, please visit www.iowawild.com. (Photo in story courtesy of Todd Reicher/Rockford IceHogs).
###