DES MOINES, IA – A night after seeing the Texas Stars score six goals in the third period, the Iowa Wild used the frame to solidify their own victory on Saturday evening, defeating Texas 4-1 thanks to two third period tallies. Dereck Baribeau had a huge night in net for the Wild, stopping 21 of 22 shots, including 12 in the second period to help give Iowa (1-1-0) their first win of the season. Dmitry Sokolov and Connor Dewar each netted their second goals of the season.

As he had the previous night, Sokolov put the Wild on top first, lighting the lamp just before the five minute mark. Sokolov read a clearing pass perfectly, intercepting it just inside the Texas blueline. He moved down the slot about 20 feet from Stars netminder Tomas Sholl before firing a blistering wrist shot that beat the Stars netminder over the right shoulder to give Iowa a 1-0 lead.

The lead held for nearly 13 minutes before the Stars evened the score. Colin Markinson gained control of the puck near the goal line in the Iowa end, then sped through the slot heading toward the goal line on the other side of the net. Just before reaching the goal line, he fired a beautiful pass through the crease to Tye Felhaber who was all alone at the opposite side post. Felhaber redirected the puck in for his first goal of the year and the score was tied at one.

The Stars dominated play in the second, outshooting the Wild 12-3, however, it would be Iowa that came away with the only goal of the frame. At the 16:48 mark, Ian McCoshen fired a wrist shot from the point that Josh Maser tipped past Sholl for his first professional goal. It was quite a moment for Maser who was a late addition to Saturday’s lineup, yet came away with the tally in his first AHL game.

In the third, the Iowa Wild put this game away. Gabriel Dumont extended the lead to two just 53 seconds into the period. Tyler Sheehy created the opportunity, stealing the puck along the left board in the Stars end. He then dished a pass to Dumont who was standing alone in front of the Texas net. Dumont moved the puck to his forehand, getting Sholl moving left, then went to his backhand, tucking it in the net for his first goal of the year. For Sheehy, it was his first AHL point.

A late penalty gave the Stars a power play with a little over two minutes left in the game. They opted to pull their goaltender, playing 6-on-4 looking to pull within one. Texas had two great chances, but Baribeau kicked aside both attempts.

Eventually, the puck moved to the blueline where the Stars defenseman fired a shot that was knocked down by Keaton Thompson. Thompson then lifted the puck out of the Wild zone near center ice. Dewar outraced a Texas defender, gaining control of the puck before sliding it into the empty net for the short-handed goal to put this game out of reach.

Eight players made the scoresheet on Saturday for Iowa. With the goal, Dewar now has three points, tied with Calen Addison for the team lead.

The Iowa Wild  will square off against the Stars again on Monday. The game is set for 7:00.

Gamesheet

By Robert Pannier