By Ryan Compeau -
On last week’s edition of ‘The Des Moines Report’, we covered all things Iowa in the first 3 games of their season, and the Wild got off to a fast start. Three straight home games, three straight wins for the Wild to start the season on the right foot. Well, edition two of the season long weekly report on the Iowa Wild is here, so let’s jump on in!
Game 4: @ Texas
How fitting was it that both Iowa and Minnesota were both in Texas on the same night. However, unlike Minnesota, Iowa was not able to pick up the 2 points and keep their unbeaten streak alive. After a scoreless 1st period between the Texas Stars and Wild, it was a familiar face that put the Wild on the board first. Kyle Rau put the Wild on top 1-0 with just over 6 minutes left in the 2nd period. Then, with just over 3 minutes to go in the 2nd, Ben Gleason would score for the Stars to tie the game at 1, sending the game to a decisive 3rd period. In that 3rd period, goals would come at ease as the two teams combined for 7 goals in the final frame, with Denis Gurianov netting a goal for the Stars with about 5 minutes left in the 3rd to give the Stars a 5-3. Luke Kunin would added a goal late, but the Wild would come up short with a 5-4 final score in Texas. The Wild out shot the Stars 30-26, but couldn’t capitalize on their scoring chances. The Wild also would go 2/5 on the power play (Rau, Kunin) while the Stars would go 3/8 on the man advantage. Iowa would drop to 3-1 on the season, and these same two teams would meet up the next evening.
Game 5: @ Texas
In the second game of the back-to-back, it was a new face between the pipes for the Wild giving Andrew Hammond a break. Enter, Kaapo Kahkonen. The 22 year old would make his pro debut looking to find the win column in his first of many starts for this young superstar. For the second night in a row, these two teams would play to a scoreless 1st period before this time, the Stars would get on the board just 2:20 into the 2nd period. The Stars would hold that lead until midway through the 2nd when Colton Beck found the back of the net to tie this game up at 2 and the game would once again head to the 3rd tied up. This time, there was no offensive showing down in Texas. It was all Stars in the 3rd and the Wild were only able to muster up 5 shots and gave up 2 goals to give Texas the weekend sweep of our beloved Iowa Wild. Back-to-back losses brought Iowa’s record to 3-2 on the young season heading into this weekend’s slate of games against Colorado at Wells Fargo.
Upcoming Games
As mentioned above, the Wild have a home weekend series against the Colorado Eagles (Avalanche affiliate). The Eagles come into this weekend at 4-1-1 and sit tied for 2nd in the Pacific Division with Tucson, and just two points behind San Jose. Also there are some pretty cool promotions happening this weekend at Wells Fargo. Friday is $2 beers, along with $3 off Captain Morgan Products. And if you thought Friday’s promotions were good, Saturday’s are even better! It’s Social Media Night at Wells Fargo with a Pre-Game Concert, 2 for $10 Tallboys, Combo packs starting at just $12 and $5 Jim Bean Honey and Lemonade Drink Specials. I tell you what, those promotions just made me want to drive to Des Monies to get these great specials they are having, oh and of course watch some hockey.
Standings and Stats
After 5 games, here’s where the Wild sit in the Central Division along with their leaders in the point department:
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