DES MOINES, IA – Jesper Wallstedt stopped 31 shots as the Iowa Wild defeated the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday, 4-1. Michael Milne and Travis Boyd each had a goal and an assist for Iowa as the Wild earned their second straight victory.

This was a contest dominated by the Iowa Wild from the start, as Ben Jones gave his team the lead just 15 seconds into the contest. Jones capitalized on a turnover inside the San Jose zone, beating Yaroslav Askarov with a wrist shot for his second goal of the year. The goal was the fastest scored to start the contest in Wild history.

With 11 seconds left in the first, Milne extended the lead to two with his third goal of the year. Hunter Haight tried to connect on a one timer with Boyd, but the pass went wide. Boyd regrouped, passing the puck into the center to Milne, who slammed home a shot to make it 2-0.

In the second, Brendan Gaunce extended the lead to three 4:54 into the frame. Graeme Clarke set up the plate when he made a beautiful moved to pull the puck through a San Jose defenseman’s skates, then fed a perfect pass to Gaunce, who beat the Barracuda netminder with his third goal of the year.

Wallstedt was brilliant through the first 52 minutes, giving San Jose no opportunity to get back in this game. Finally, at 12:23, Colin White scored his fourth goal of the season to pull the Barracuda within two. Jimmy Schuldt took a shot that was saved by Wallstedt, but the rebound deflected into the air. That is where White was able to knock it in.

San Jose was back in the contest, but Boyd delivered an empty net tally with 1:05 left to seal the victory. It was his second goal of the year.

Wallstedt (2-3-1) stopped 32 shots for his second straight victory. He has allowed three total goals over his last two starts.

These two teams will square off again in Des Moines on Sunday. The puck drops at 3:00 p.m.

Gamesheet

by Robert Pannier