In their first meeting in Rockford, it was the perfect storm-scenario for all things to come up aces for the Blackhawks-affiliate: Iowa had driven through the night, still high on their first win from the night before; Minnesota had called up not one, but four of their top AHLers (Kunin left before Friday’s game); Rockford had a week’s worth of rest between games; and Derek Lalonde was able to dress just eleven forwards.
The result was a first period, twenty-one shot barrage in towards Iowa netminder, Niklas Svedberg. He hadn’t seen more than twenty seven in a single game prior, and the Wild managed just five of their own.