The Des Moines Report: Wild Slump Continues

Previously on the ‘Des Moines Report’, the Iowa Wild were in action four times over a span of just six days going 1-3 in those games. In this edition, the Wild were only in action twice, both times against San Jose as they concluded a three game stretch against the Barracuda. The Wild have now lost five of their last six after their 5-3 loss in San Jose.

Game 55: vs San Jose

The Wild would find themselves down early, just 29 seconds into the contest before Kyle Rau would tie the game up at 1 just passed the 13 minute mark. In the second, the Wild would find themselves scoring early as Matt Read gave the Wild a 2-1 lead just 57 seconds into the middle frame. However, the Barracuda would tie things up late in the second sending this game to the third tied at 2 a piece. In the third and overtime, no scoring would take place. In the shoot-out, San Jose would score once as the Wild went 0-for-3 in the skills competition to fall 3-2 to San Jose. The Wild would go 1-for-4 with the man advantage while the penalty-kill took care of business killing off both of the San Jose power-plays. Kaapo Kahkonen would turn away 22 of the 24 shots he faced in the loss.

Game 56: @ San Jose

For the third game in-a-row, the Wild and Barracuda would square off, this time from sunny California, with the teams splitting the first two match-ups. In the deciding game, the Wild would get on the board first as Mitch McLain found the back of the net late in the first period. San Jose would tie things up just passed the three minute mark, but Captain Cal O’ Reilly would give the Wild a 2-1 lead. In the third, San Jose would score four straight goals giving them a 5-2 lead before Gerald Mayhew would score late in the third, but wasn’t enough for the Wild as they fall 5-3. The Wild would go 0-for-3 on the power-play, but would once again kill both Barracuda power-plays. Kahkonen would stop 27 of the 32 shots he faced but wasn’t enough for the Wild.

Central Division Standings

Stat Leaders

Looking Ahead

The Wild will continue their California road trip as they head to Bakersfield Friday, then Ontario Saturday night and Sunday afternoon wrapping up a three-in-three for the only games of the upcoming week.