GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Iowa Wild scored three unanswered goals in the final six minutes of play to take a 5-2 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins at Van Andel Arena on Friday night. Liam Öhgren, David Spacek, and Luke Toporowski each posted a goal and an assist in the victory.
Amadeus Lombardi opened the scoring for the Griffins at 5:29 of the first period when he beat Dylan Ferguson (21 saves) from in tight.
The Wild answered with 4:30 remaining in the opening frame. After Michael Milne sent the puck to Joseph Cecconi at the right point, Cecconi fired a shot that Brendan Gaunce tipped over Sebastian Cossa (26 saves).
Iowa outshot Grand Rapids 9-7 in the first 20 minutes.
Spacek put the Wild in front with a turnaround shot from the top of the left circle 11:09 into the second period. Cameron Crotty and Toporowski assisted on Spacek’s goal.
Joe Snively equalized for the Griffins with 5:38 to go in the middle frame.
Each team posted 18 shots through two periods.
Iowa took the lead for good at 14:02 of the third. Cecconi sent a pass over to Daemon Hunt at the left point, who knocked the puck to the front of the net for Toporowski to fire past Cossa.
Öhgren batted a saucer pass from Sammy Walker into the back of the net 1:48 later. Spacek picked up an assist on Öhgren’s goal.
Bradley Marek added an empty-net goal with an assist from Öhgren with 1:30 remaining.
Iowa outshot Grand Rapids 31-23. The Wild finished 0-for-2 on the man advantage and did not face a Griffins power play.
Iowa and Grand Rapids complete their weekend series at Van Andel Arena on Sunday at 3 p.m.