Leonard’s Lone Goal Lifts Griffins Past Wild in Defensive Battle
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - In a game that was all about grit, structure, and timely goaltending, John Leonard provided the lone spark as the Grand Rapids Griffins edged out the Iowa Wild 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at Van Andel Arena.
Leonard’s goal came midway through the second period, and it was a beauty. Erik Gustafsson sent a centering feed into the slot, and Leonard, with a slick one-handed redirection, steered it past Iowa netminder Cal Petersen to break the deadlock. It was the kind of high-skill play that can tilt a tight game - and in this one, it turned out to be the difference.
The opening 20 minutes were a feeling-out process, with both teams trading chances but neither able to break through. Grand Rapids held a 10-5 edge in shots during the first period, but Petersen looked locked in early and kept Iowa in it.
That continued into the second, where Petersen was arguably Iowa’s best player. He turned aside 28 shots overall, including several high-danger chances late in the period when the Griffins pressed to extend their lead. His lateral movement and rebound control were sharp, especially during a stretch where Grand Rapids hemmed the Wild in their zone for a prolonged shift.
Through two periods, Grand Rapids had a 24-17 advantage in shots, and while the scoreboard only read 1-0, the Griffins were generating the better looks.
But credit Iowa - they didn’t go quietly. The Wild pushed hard in the third, looking for the equalizer.
They had their moments, including a couple of net-front scrambles and a late surge with the goalie pulled. But Sebastian Cossa stood tall in net for Grand Rapids, finishing with 26 saves and earning the shutout.
The 20-year-old netminder was composed and efficient, especially under pressure in the final minutes.
Defensively, the Griffins were dialed in. They blocked shots, cleared rebounds, and limited Iowa’s second-chance opportunities. It was a textbook example of closing out a one-goal game - disciplined, physical, and smart in their own zone.
Special teams didn’t factor much into the result. Iowa went 0-for-2 on the power play, while Grand Rapids had just one opportunity with the man advantage and came up empty. In a game this tight, every detail mattered, and both penalty kill units did their job.
With the loss, Iowa wraps up a challenging six-game road trip and will look to regroup before facing the Milwaukee Admirals on Wednesday night.
For Grand Rapids, this was a statement win - not because of the scoreline, but because of how they earned it. They played a complete game, got a highlight-reel goal, and leaned on their goaltender when it mattered most. That’s the kind of formula that wins games deep into the season.