NFL
By: Zachary Draves
The Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League took to their home ice against the Henderson Silver Knights of Nevada at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
This is the beginning of a six game homestand as they try to secure a spot in the upcoming Calder Cup playoffs as well as trying to redeem themselves after a three game losing streak.
Iowa is the affiliate of the Minnesota Wild in the NHL whereas the Silver Knights are the affiliate of Vegas Golden Knights.
The Wild are currently ranked sixth in the AHL central division as are the Silver Knights in the Pacific Division.
Through the first five minutes of the game, both teams played a fast paced conservatism where they were hit the ice flying but still trying to get a feel for each other.
The Silver Knights had the upper hand on the offensive end as they were outshooting the Wild 6-2 at the 9:20 mark of the first period
With 7:59 left, Silver Knights forward Gage Quinney scored the first goal of the game with a slap shot from the right corner.
The Wild weren’t able to get into groove even with two power play attempts as they were repeatedly derailed by the Knights swarming defense and by their goaltender Jiri Patera who made some incredible saves.
At the conclusion of the first period, the Silver Knights led 1-0 and outshot the Wild 10-6.
As the second period began, it was still Henderson that maintained the offensive advantage with ever increasing attempts on goal while Patera was still holding it down in the net.
The Wild on the other hand were starting to show signs of a more aggressive style of play that was lacking in the first with their defensemen executing on some hard hits to the boards.
They also picked up the pace on the offensive end and at various times were in good position to score but they couldn’t break through the seemingly impenetrable force that was Jiri Patera.
However, that force was slightly cracked at the 5:06 minute mark with a wrist shot goal by Iowa defenseman Calen Addison.
From there, they started to gain back control of the game in terms of energy and dynamism.
At the end of the second, the score was tied at one.
The third period began with a clear sense that it was anybody’s game.
For most of the period, both teams were playing at a very similar pace with just a matter of time of determining who will be the one that will catch a break.
That break came at the 7:54 mark with a goal from Iowa forward Damien Giroux to put them up 2-1.
As the clock began to tick down, any hopes of a Henderson comeback were dashed as Iowa forward Joseph Cramarossa scored an open net goal to give the Wild a convincing 3-1 lead.
Afterwards, Giroux spoke of the importance of this win
Hear what Damien Giroux had to say about tonight below! #BackwithBite pic.twitter.com/3c8NVK942M
— Iowa Wild (@IAWild) March 13, 2022
Shortly thereafter at the 1:23 minute mark, teammate and defensemen Kevin Czuczman scored another empty neter to officially seal the deal as the Wild ended their three game skid with 4-1 victory even while being outshot 33-20.
Both teams play again Sunday March 13 at 3:00pm at Wells Fargo Arena.
