DES MOINES, Iowa – Chicago continued its mastery of Iowa in Des Moines with a 2-1 victory in a Saturday matinee. The victory ran Chicago’s win streak to 11 games at Wells Fargo Arena.
Pheonix Copley (13-15-3) made an AHL career-high 45 saves, losing a shutout bid with 1:35 left in the game. Evan Trupp scored his seventh goal of the season and rookie Bryce Gervais found the back of the net in just his second professional game as the Wolves completed a weekend sweep of the Wild.
Chicago (30-30-5-3) opened scoring with 45 seconds left in the opening period. Hubert Labrie launched a shot from inside the blue line that was deflected in the slot by Trupp. Gervais gave the Wolves a two-goal cushion at 2:20 of the second period when he poked a loose puck to himself off the boards and broke in alone on goaltender Leland Irving, scoring low stick side. Trupp assisted on the play for his second point of the game.
Iowa (21-38-4-4) finally broke through at 18:25 of the third period, when Colton Beck jammed the puck through a goal crease scrum for his fifth tally of the year. The Wild finished with a 46-16 edge in shots as Irving (10-20-5) made 14 saves.
The Wolves return to Allstate Arena this Wednesday at 7 p.m. to host Rockford in an Illinois Lottery Cup battle. To find great ticket deals, visit ChicagoWolves.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.
WOLVES 2, WILD 1
Chicago 1 1 0 — 2
Iowa 0 0 1 — 1
First Period—1, Chicago, Trupp 7 (Labrie, Nightingale), 19:15. Penalties—Doty, Chicago (fighting, misconduct), 2:42; Bulmer, Iowa (fighting), 2:42; Caron, Chicago (hooking) 11:03; Labrie, Chicago (cross-checking), 16:22; Caron, Chicago (cross-checking), 19:37; Labbe, Iowa (slashing), 19:37.
Second Period—2, Chicago, Gervais 1 (Trupp, Schmaltz), 2:20. Penalties—Benoit, Chicago (cross-checking), 6:34; Labrie, Chicago (fighting), 10:13; Sabourin, Iowa (fighting), 10:13; Brassart, Iowa (high-sticking), 13:45.
Third Period—3, Iowa, Beck 5 (Palmquist, Mitchell), 18:25. Penalties—none.
Shots on goal—Chicago 8-6-2—16; Iowa 17-13-16—46. Power plays—Chicago 0-1; Iowa 0-3. Goalies—Chicago, Copley (45-46); Iowa, Irving (14-16). Referee—Peter Tarnaris. Linesmen—Chad Evers and Kyle Larson.
