IOWA DEFEATED BY TUSCON 4-1
Dec 7, 2019-Forward Gerry Mayhew scores team-leading 14th goal of the season-
Iowa Wild (12-9-2-2; 28 pts.) couldn’t overcome a quick start by the Tucson Roadrunners (18-5-0-0; 36 pts.), losing 4-1 Saturday evening.
Tucson got on the board first, scoring two goals in 76 seconds to jump out to a 2-0 lead. Defenseman Kyle Capobianco opened the scoring as he danced through the Wild defense before sneaking a shot between goaltender Mat Robson (18 saves) and the post for his third tally of the season, coming at 6:00 in the first period. Then at 7:16, forward Kevin Hancock took a shot on net that deflected off forward Jon Martin and over Robson for the score.
The Roadrunners extended their lead to 3-0 as forward Brayden Burke netted a power-play goal at 13:48 for his 11th tally of the season. Forward Nick Merkley sent a cross-ice pass to Burke inside the left circle and he blistered a snap shot past the sliding Robson for the goal.
At the end of the first period, Tucson led 3-0 and outshot the Wild 11-7.
Tucson made it four straight tallies as Martin scored his second of the contest at 7:35 in the second period. Hancock tossed the puck from behind the goal line into the crease, where it bounced off a Wild player’s skate, creating a scramble in front. The puck popped into the air, where Martin whacked it into the back of the net for the score.
Gerry Mayhew broke the Roadrunner’s shutout at 17:26 in the middle frame, cutting Iowa’s deficit to 4-1. While on the penalty kill, Mayhew forced a turnover at the Wild’s blueline and sprung himself for a breakaway. He then rocketed a shot over the glove of goaltender Ivan Prosvetov (26 saves) for his team-leading 14th goal and second shorthanded tally of the season. Defenseman Keaton Thompson was credited with the lone assist on the tally, giving Mayhew the second-most goals in the AHL.
Heading into the third period, Iowa trailed 4-1 with Tucson leading in shots 18-13.
Neither team found the back of the net and at the final horn, Tucson earned the 4-1 victory. The Wild finished the game outshooting the Roadrunners 27-22. Iowa went 0-for-2 on the power play and 3-for-4 on the penalty kill.
Iowa and Tucson meet again Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
The Iowa Wild 2019-20 regular season is presented by MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and runs from October through April. For more information, please contact the Wild office by calling 515-564-8700 or by visiting www.iowawild.com.