UTICA, NY – The Iowa Wild (12-20-1-1, 26 points) defeated the Utica Comets (22-7-5-0, 49 points) 2-1 in front of 3,835fanson Saturday night at Utica Memorial Auditorium. Wild forward Jordan Schroeder scored once and set up the game-winning goal early in the third period. Iowa goalie John Curry (6-6-0) made 27 saves on 28 shots, picking up his fifth win over his last six starts. Rookie Zack Mitchell scored the game-winning goal 
3:52 into the third period, as Iowa handed Utica only its third loss at home this season. Comets goalie Joacim Eriksson (12-4-4) made 15 saves, as the North Division leaders suffered its league-low seventh regulation loss of the season. Utica forward Will Acton also scored in the defeat, as Iowa improved to 6-10-1-1 on the road this year. Iowa continues a four-game road trip in Texas on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
After a scoreless first period, Iowa claimed the game’s first lead at 1:06 of the second period. Marc Hagel picked up the lone assist on Schroder’s 10th goal of the year and a 1-0 Iowa lead. Schroeder tipped a long shot by Hagel, then scooped up the rebound and beat Eriksson from just to the left of the goal crease.
Iowa expanded its lead to 2-0 off a rebound goal by Zack Mitchell at 3:52 of the third period. Defenseman Jon Blum carried the puck deep on the right side and slipped a pass to the front of the Utica net. Mitchell jammed in a rebound after multiple attempts for his ninth goal of the year. Schroeder added an assist on the play. Utica cut the deficit in half with Will Acton’s tally at 11:43 of the third period. Left wing Hunter Shinkaruk and center Alex Friesen each had an assist on Acton’s fourth goal of the year and a 2-1 Iowa lead.
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