Schroeder sinks Stars in OT

CEDAR PARK, TX  – The Iowa Wild (19-33-3-4, 45 points) defeated the Texas Stars (33-20-5-3, 74 points) 4-3 in overtime in front of 4,690 fans at Cedar Park Center on Friday night. Wild forward Jordan Schroeder raced down the ice and ripped a wrist shot over the shoulder of Texas goalie Jack Campbell 43-seconds into overtime, lifting Iowa over Texas. Iowa goalie Steve Michalek (5-2-0) was credited with the win after making 15 saves. Iowa held Texas to a franchise record-low 18 shots on net. Iowa’s Grayson Downing, Guillaume Gelinas and Maxime Fortunus scored as the Wild ended a three-game losing skid. In a relief effort, Texas goalie Jack Campbell (3-7-3) made 17 saves with the loss. Iowa travels to Winnipeg to face the Moose at 7 p.m. on Monday.

Texas jumped out to a quick lead, scoring merely 1:41 into the first period.  Justin Dowling snapped a pass through center to the Iowa blueine, connecting with Brendan Ranford on the right wing side. He carried towards the Iowa net and slipped a pass to the crease. The puck bounced off Derek Hulak’s skate for the 1-0 Stars lead. Iowa drew even with Texas at 4:12 of the first frame, scoring off its first power play of the evening. Center Tyler Graovac found defenseman Guillaume Gelinas at the left point. The Iowa defender slipped into the top of the left-wing circle and unleashed a slapshot through traffic and past Lagace for the 1-1 score. Forward Colton Beck added an assist on Gelinas’ first goal of the season.

In the second period, Iowa rattled off two goals in 35 seconds to take the lead and add to it. The Wild pounced on a loose puck in the Stars zone, as Christoph Bertschy slid a pass to the front of the Texas net. Center Grayson Downing beat Lagace for his 16th goal of the year and a 2-1 Iowa lead. Marc Hagel had the secondary assist as Iowa moved in front. The Wild made it a 3-1 lead at 2:11 of the second period as Maxime Fortunus blasted a slapshot past Lagace. Fortunus’ fifth goal of the year was set up by forwards Brett Bulmer and Rob Bordson for a two-goal lead.  Lagace was pulled after the goal, finishing the night with seven saves on ten shots. The Stars responded to the goaltending change and pulled within a goal at 4:59 of the second period. Defenseman Esa Lindell beat Steve Michalek with a wrist shot from the left-wing wall. Gemel Smith and Branden Troock each had an assist on Lindell’s 11th goal this season. Texas made it a 3-3 game at 9:34 as Matej Stransky followed up his own shot and potted a rebound for his 14th goal of the season. Forwards Curtis McKenzie and defenseman Brennan Evans each had an assist on his team’s third goal.

The two teams skated to overtime tied 3-3 as forward Jordan Schroeder picked up a loose puck in the Iowa zone. The Wild winger raced through center ice and snapped a wrist shot over the glove of Campbell for the 4-3 win. His 14th goal of the season was unassisted.