IOWA WILD TAKES DOWN MANITOBA MOOSE, PICKS UP FIRST VICTORY
Oct 29, 2022
WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Iowa’s power play came alive on Saturday afternoon, providing two crucial goals for the Wild in the second period en route to a 5-2 victory over the Manitoba Moose. Sammy Walker tallied each power-play goal, continuing an electrifying start to his rookie campaign.
Nick Swaney handed Iowa the early lead under five minutes into the contest. Following an errant Manitoba pass, Swaney entered the Moose zone on a breakaway and snapped a shot off the arm of Oskari Salminen (15 saves) that tumbled into the net at 4:52 of the first period.
Manitoba took advantage of a 5-on-3 power play and equalized the score with 12:27 to play in the first period. Ville Heinola snapped a shot off the crossbar which kicked directly to Kevin Stenlund, who deposited the rebound into the open net to make the score 1-1.
The Moose nearly took the lead with just under eight minutes to go in the opening stanza. Ashton Sautner threw a long effort toward the Iowa goal that kicked off the end boards to Daniel Torgersson. Torgersson tried to stuff the puck past Zane McIntyre (33 saves), but the Wild netminder sprawled backward to pull the puck off the line.
The clubs were tied at 1-1 after 20 minutes of play with Manitoba holding a 13-8 shot advantage over Iowa.
Steven Fogarty started and finished a scoring opportunity in the early minutes of the middle frame. After forcing a turnover along the wall, Fogarty positioned himself on top of the Manitoba crease. Simon Johansson slid the puck over to Joe Hicketts, who found Fogarty in front to give the Wild a 2-1 edge at 5:21 of the second period.
Sammy Walker provided the eventual game-winner with 10:29 to play in the second. With the Wild on the man advantage, Mitchell Chaffee and Adam Beckman combined to find Walker in the high slot. Walker beat Salminen high to give Iowa the 3-1 lead and its first power play goal of the season.
Walker and the Wild power play converted again on their next opportunity to put Iowa up 4-1. With 6:05 remaining in the middle frame, Walker received a pass from Hicketts and rifled a shot over a screened Salminen for his second goal of the period. Chaffee picked up his second assist of the contest on the play.
Iowa took a 4-1 lead into the second intermission while trailing Manitoba 24-15 in shots.
The Moose pulled within two thanks to a tally from Jansen Harkins 6:20 into the third period.
Manitoba had a golden opportunity to make the score 4-3 with under 10 minutes to play. Stenlund fed a wide-open Mikey Eyssimont in the circle, but McIntyre extended to his left and robbed the Moose forward to preserve the two-goal lead.
Iowa continued a late defensive stand with a series of penalty kills, ultimately denying six Manitoba power plays in a row following the first Moose goal. Beckman added an empty-net goal with 29 seconds to play to seal the victory.
Iowa finished with 20 shots and went 2-for-5 on the power play. Manitoba totaled 35 shots and finished 1-for-7 with the man advantage.
The Wild play Manitoba again Sunday, Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. at Canada Life Centre.
Iowa Wild hockey is presented by MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center. For more information, 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. The 2022-23 season marks the 10th anniversary of Iowa Wild hockey. Fans can purchase season tickets for the 10th anniversary season at https://www.iowawild.com/wild-365.
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