DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Wild rallied from a two-goal deficit, scoring three goals in the second period to take the lead over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday evening. However, Grand Rapids scored late to tie the contest and Jonatan Berggren delivered the game-winner, scoring on a penalty shot a little over a minute into the extra frame to give Grand Rapids the victory. A day after scoring a hat trick, Ty Ronning provided two points for the Wild. Jesper Wallstedt stopped 35 shots in the loss.

Grand Rapids jumped out in front, scoring on the power-play a little over 10 minutes into the contest. Jared McIsaac lifted a shot that was saved by Wallstedt, but Joel L’Esperance poked in the rebound for his fourth goal of the year.

Grand Rapids had the opportunity to extend their lead to two when they were back on the power-play just before the 14-minute mark, but it would be Sammy Walker netting a shorthanded goal that tied the score. The Griffins were struggling to try to contain the puck inside the Wild end. Walker took the puck away along the boards, moving in on Victor Brattstrom before beating him with a backhander for his fifth goal of his AHL career.

Grand Rapids retook the lead with four minutes left in the frame. Pontus Andreassson made a beautiful pass to Donovan Sebrango who corralled the puck onto a stick before firing a wrist shot that beat the Wild netminder to make it 2-1. It was the second goal of the season for Sebrango.

With 1:37 left in the period, Grand Rapids scored on the power-play to extend their lead to two. Andreasson set up the play once again, passing the puck to Givani Smith in the slot. He moved to his right before talking the puck by Wallstedt to send the Griffins into the first intermission with a two-goal lead.

Grand Rapids had dominated the first period, outshooting Iowa 20-11. However, things turned quickly in the second for the Wild. Mitchell Chaffee made this a one goal game 1:15 into the period. The puck was loose inside the Griffins zone, before Chaffee was able to gain control. He tipped the puck in with a backhander for his second goal of the year.

Just after the 10-minute mark, the Wild tied the score. Iowa was doing a great job of forechecking inside the Grand Rapids own. Ronning came with the turnover, taking the puck and passing it to Daemon Hunt. He took a shot that Tanner Kaspick deflected past Brattstrom for his first goal.

Just 69 seconds later, Iowa was back on the board. While on the power-play, Nick Swaney was able to knock down a clearing pass at the blueline, putting it on the stick of Joseph Cramarossa. He moved down the slot, looking like he was going to take a shot before making a pass to Ronning who lifted the puck in for his fourth goal in two days.

Iowa held a one goal lead heading into the final period. The Griffins outshot Iowa in the final frame, 9-4, and were able to tie the score with 4:47 left in the game. Taro Hirose took a shot that found its way through traffic, hitting off the arm of a Wild defenseman before getting past Wallstedt.

With the score tied, the game headed over time. At 1:16, the griffons were awarded a penalty shot. Berggren moved in, beating Wallstedt with a forehand attempt to give the Griffins a 5-4 victory.

Ronning finished with a goal and an assist for the Wild. Berggren had a goal and two assists for Grand Rapids.

The Iowa Wild (2-3-3) have Saturday off, but return to the ice on Sunday when they take on the Rockford IceHogs. The puck drops at 4:00.

Gamesheet

by Robert Pannier