IOWA LOSES 2-1 IN OVERTIME TO TEXAS
Feb 19, 2019-Wild forward Kyle Rau set franchise record for power-play goals in a season Tuesday-
Iowa Wild (27-16-6-4; 64 pts.) fell to the Texas Stars (26-21-3-2; 57 pts.) in overtime by a score of 2-1 Tuesday evening. The overtime loss extended the Wild’s point streak to six games, the second longest such streak of the season for Iowa.
For just the third time this season, the Wild allowed the first goal in back to back games, as Texas forward Justin Dowling recorded his 11th of the season, coming on the power play at 19:34 in the first period. Dowling received a pass from defenseman Ben Gleason and beat goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen (35 saves) over his right shoulder to take the 1-0 lead. Forward Travis Morin notched his 21st helper of the year with the secondary assist.
Through the first period of play, Texas led 1-0 while the Wild outshot the Stars 8-7.
Iowa tied the game at 2:41 in the second period as forward Kyle Rau scored in his first game since being reassigned from Minnesota. Forward Matt Read carried the puck over the blueline before being tangled up with two Stars defenders. Read shuttled the puck ahead to Rau, who slipped it through the legs of goaltender Philippe Desrosiers (39 saves) for his 15th of the season and 10th on the power play, which set a new franchise record. Defenseman Michael Kapla hit the 20-assist mark on the season with the secondary helper.
At the end of the second period, the score was tied 1-1 and shots were tied at 19 apiece.
Tuesday’s contest featured another scoreless third period, giving Iowa its fifth consecutive game with an extra frame.
In overtime, Texas forward Brad McClure logged the first goal of his professional career to give the visiting side the 2-1 victory. McClure took a shot that was partially blocked by a Wild defender and followed it up by knocking the puck past Kahkonen’s pads for the tally. Defenseman Dillon Heatherington registered the assist on the game-winner.
Iowa finished the game outshooting the Stars 40-37 and went 1-for-4 on the power play and 4-for-5 on the penalty kill. Iowa has now outshot its opponent in six straight contests, the longest stretch doing so this season.
The Wild looks to extend its point streak to seven games when the team welcomes the San Jose Barracuda to Wells Fargo Arena Thursday evening. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
The Iowa Wild 2018-19 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.