Wild defeats Monsters, 2-1, in OT

DES MOINES, IA  – The Iowa Wild (32-30-6-2, 72 points) defeated the Cleveland Monsters (35-28-4-4, 78 points) 2-1 in overtime on Tuesday night in front of 3,365 fans at Wells Fargo Arena. Forward Tyler Graovac scored the game-winning goal 1:08 into overtime to help Iowa defeat Cleveland. Wild goalie Alex Stalock (21-16-7) stopped 34 of 35 shots in the Iowa win. Wild defenseman Gustav Olofsson also scored a goal in the win. Monsters goalie Anton Forsberg (24-16-4) stopped 31 of 33 shots in the loss. Forward Zac Dalpe scored the lone goal for Cleveland. Iowa welcomes Rockford to Wells Fargo Arena on Thursday at 7 PM.

After a scoreless first period, Iowa opened the scoring at 19:52 of the second period. Defenseman Gustav Olofsson scored his sixth goal of the season, giving Iowa a 1-0 lead. The goal was set up by forward Christoph Bertschy and defenseman Mike Reilly. Olofsson followed up on Bertschy’s shot from the high slot, corralling the puck and playing it towards the Cleveland crease. Olofsson’s shot bounced off the skate of a Monsters defender, giving Iowa the game’s first goal.

Cleveland forward Zac Dalpe scored on a power play at 9:04 of the third period, tying the game 1-1. Dalpe’s ninth goal of the year was assisted by defenseman Dean Kukan and forward Daniel Zaar. Dalpe tipped in Kukan’s shot from the point.

1:08 into the overtime period, forward Tyler Graovac scored his eighth goal of the season. The game-winning goal was set up by forward Alex Tuch and Reilly, making it a 2-1 final score in favor of Iowa. Graovac scored off Tuch’s rebound for the game-winning goal.