Iowa sweep Admirals, 3-2

DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Wild (4-4-0-0, 8 points) defeated the Milwaukee Admirals (3-2-0-1, 7 points) 3-2 in front of 6,458 fans at UWM Panthers Arena on Saturday night. Rookie center Sam Anas potted a second-period rebound and Iowa’s defense shutdown the Admirals to spoil Milwaukee’s home opener. Iowa goalie Steve Michalek (3-0-0) made 36 saves on 38 shots to pick up the team’s first road win of the year. Jordan Schroeder and Colton Beck also scored as Iowa swept the weekend series with the Admirals. Milwaukee goalie Jusse Saros (3-1-0) took his first loss of the year with 15 saves on 18 shots. Admirals Adam Payerl and Matt White scored in the defeat. The Wild heads to Grand Rapids for a 6 PM (CT) faceoff on Friday at Van Andel Arena.

The Wild quickly gained the lead as Colton Beck scored merely 3:14 into the game. Right wing Alex Tuch led Colton Beck with a pass just inside the Milwaukee right-wing blueline. Beck skated in and snapped a wrist shot over the blocker of goalie Jusse Saros for the 1-0 lead, his second goal in as many nights.

The Wild made it 2-0 just 27 seconds into the second period. Beck slipped a pass to the Milwaukee blueline for defenseman Mike Reilly. Reilly floated a pass to the Milwaukee net, which was tipped and then jammed in off a rebound by forward Jordan Schroeder. The Admirals got on the board to trim the Iowa lead to 2-1 at 1:48. Forward Matt White picked off a pass and snapped a wrist shot just under the Wild crossbar, beating Steve Michalek for his second goal of the year. The Admirals took advantage of a power play a few minutes later, tying the game 2-2 at 5:29 of the middle frame. Forwards Trevor Smith and Justin Florek worked the puck to the right-wing circle for Adam Payerl, who blasted a one-timer past Michalek for his second goal of the year.  Iowa pushed back in front at 11:01 of the second period as Sam Anas and Adam Gimour converged on a loose puck in the Milwaukee crease. Anas was credited with his second goal of the season, as Iowa claimed a 3-2 lead.