The Iowa Wild had the chances, the shots, and a pair of early leads. Manitoba had the finish.
Parker Ford scored twice in the third period, including the go-ahead goal at 8:18, and the Moose rallied past Iowa 4-3 Friday night at Casey's Center in Des Moines.
It started with Noah Gregor putting Manitoba in front 10:36 into the game, beating William Rousseau over the shoulder for the opening goal. Iowa answered quickly. Charlie Stramel, scoring his first professional goal, tied it at 14:15 on the power play after Jack Peart and Riley Heidt set him up along the goal line, and he lifted the puck high past Thomas Milic.
The Wild then grabbed control late in the first. With 45 seconds left in the period, Justin Kirkland ripped a one-timer from the right circle to make it 2-1, with Dylan Gambrell and Gerry Mayhew picking up the assists.
That edge didn’t last long. Danny Zhilkin tied it for Manitoba just 2:31 into the second period with a rebound finish along the ice on the power play.
Iowa answered again at 6:09 of the second when Rasmus Kumpulainen tucked in a backhand at the top of the crease. Nick Rhéaume and Mike Koster assisted on the goal, and the Wild were back ahead 3-2.
Then the third period turned into Manitoba’s push. Ford tied it at 4:20, then struck again 3:58 later to put the Moose in front for good.
Rousseau finished with 22 saves for Iowa, while Milic stopped 42 for Manitoba. The Wild outshot the Moose 45-26, but Manitoba went 3-for-6 on the power play and Iowa finished 2-for-8.
The weekend series wraps up Saturday, Oct. 24 on Book Club Night, presented by Shelf Love DSM. The first 1,500 fans will receive an Iowa Wild book cover.
In Other News...
Wild Suddenly Have A New Lineup Question Before Seattle
Bill Guerin added another wrinkle to Minnesotas lineup picture by recalling forward Mason Shaw from the Iowa Wild on the eve of the matchup with Seattle. Shaw has been a familiar organizational name for years, and this move gives the Wild another option as they sort through a roster situation that can change quickly this time of year.
Shaws season in Iowa has been productive enough to force the conversation, with the 25-year-old standing out across several areas for the club. He has also spent his entire NHL career in Minnesota, which keeps this from feeling like a temporary emergency call-up and more like a player the Wild already know well as they weigh what he can bring back to the big club. [Read more 🡒]
Wild Face A Quinn Hughes Decision Fans Wont Agree On
The Quinn Hughes conversation around Minnesota has already moved beyond the usual deadline chatter, with Elliotte Friedman and Gord Stellick floating the possibility of the Wild trading him if an extension never materializes. The comparison they drew was a familiar one for NHL watchers, pointing back to Carolinas trade of Mikko Rantanen and the kind of big-swing decision that can reshape a season in a hurry. Dylan Larkin also came up in the discussion as part of the wider roster picture, underscoring how much is tied to any move of this magnitude.
For the Wild, the real issue is how aggressively they want to push their chips in right now. Hughes is open to signing, but he is taking his time, which leaves Minnesota weighing patience against the kind of short-term urgency that can come with a team that thinks it has a legitimate shot. The unresolved question is whether the organization believes this is the year to chase the Stanley Cup at full tilt, because that judgment could ultimately decide how far it goes with Hughes. [Read more 🡒]
Wild May Be Closer Than Anyone To Landing Dylan Larkin
The Dylan Larkin speculation has been hanging around the Wild for months, and Minnesota appears to be one of the most aggressive teams in the chase. Since June, the Wild have reportedly made more trade offers to Detroit than anyone else, which keeps them squarely in the center of a market that has also included interest from the Devils and Capitals. Montreal is still lurking too, but only if Larkin broadens the list of places he would consider.
Larkins representatives would prefer to get something done sooner rather than later, but the Red Wings still have not accepted a deal. That leaves the Wild in a familiar spot for a contender trying to add a proven forward, close enough to the action to keep the conversation alive, but still waiting on Detroit to decide whether the right offer has finally arrived. [Read more 🡒]