MASTERFUL MATINEE

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 3 at Iowa Wild 2

March 22, 2014

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Grand Rapids Griffins fought back from a two-goal deficit to overcome the Iowa Wild, 3-2, with a three-goal second period Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena.

It was the Griffins’ second win in as many days against the Wild, also earning them the season sweep on the road. The win improved Grand Rapids to 11-1-0-1 in its last 13 games, including 7-0-0-1 away from home.

The Griffins will continue their season-high seven-game road trip Sunday at 4 p.m. EDT against Midwest Division foe Chicago Wolves.

After Iowa scored its only goal in Friday’s game during a power play, its special team unit found success again Saturday 4:40 into the first period when Triston Grant was whistled for roughing. Stephane Veilleux put the puck into the danger zone in front of Petr Mrazek and Carson McMillan beat Mrazek to the puck, poking it past him.

The Wild doubled their lead at 9:39 during four-on-four play when Kris Foucault dove at a loose rebound and popped the puck over Mrazek’s left pad.

Ryan Sproul put Grand Rapids on the board when he snapped a wrister from the blue line at 3:26 of the second period. His shot made its way through bodies and sailed past John Curry to pull the Griffins within one.

Grand Rapids received more than a minute of five-on-three play after Kyle Medvec was whistled for slashing at 9:50 and Tyler Cuma was caught cross-checking at 10:35. During the two-man advantage, Nathan Paetsch blasted a rocket from the middle of the ice at 11:25 for the equalizer.

Less than two minutes later, Mitch Callahan garnered his sixth point in four games with a goal at 12:41. A tight angle shot by Andrej Nestrasil rebounded off Curry, and Callahan quickly found an open lane inside the far post. Nestrasil’s assists on Callahan’s and Sproul’s goals also earned him his sixth point in the last four games.

In the final period of play, the Griffins held the Wild to two shots.

Mrazek’s 16 saves earned him his eighth straight win for Grand Rapids, while Curry turned away 28 of 31 shots in the loss.

Three Stars: 1. GR Sproul (goal, assist); 2. GR Callahan (game-winning goal); 3. IA Foucault (goal, assist)