MURPHY, MITCHELL SHINE AS WILD TOP HOGS

DES MOINES, IA, -- Ryan Murphy scored his first goal of the season 3:37 into the third period for what proved to be the game-winning tally to help the Iowa Wild defeat the visiting Rockford IceHogs 5-3 at Wells Fargo Arena Thursday morning. Murphy finished with three points on the day, and teammate Zack Mitchell recorded three points of his own in Iowa’s victory.

Iowa had been scoreless against the IceHogs’ penalty kill through two games this season, but went 3-for-5 on the power play in this contest to defeat the Hogs.

The Wild found the scoresheet early, as Cal O’Reilly scored his third of the year on a man-advantage just over five minutes into the game. Fewer than four minutes later, Mitchell tallied his first of three points with his first goal in 2017-18.

Luc Snuggerud responded for Rockford two minutes later, rifling a shot that deflected off a Wild defender into the net. The IceHogs then tied the game 6:46 into the second period thanks to a power-play marker from Laurent Dauphin, but Mario Lucia restored Iowa’s lead just five minutes later.

Halfway through the final frame, Vinnie Hinostroza notched his fifth of the season to cut into the two-goal lead provided by Murphy’s goal, but Pat Cannone scored an empty-netter to seal the win for the Wild.

Rockford’s Collin Delia stopped 12 shots in his AHL debut, while his Iowa counterpart stonewalled 33 pucks at the other end.

Next Home Game: The IceHogs return to the BMO Harris Bank Center on Nov. 10 to take on the San Antonio Rampage on Pucks & Paws Night. Fans are invited to bring their dogs to the BMO for this special occasion, and the first 1,500 through the doors will receive a plush Otis dog toy, courtesy of Riverside Dental. Tickets can be purchased at IceHogs.com, by calling (815) 968-5222 or in-person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.