Advancing to the postseason may not be the only first the Wild's minor league team accomplishes this spring. Iowa is just one win away from moving on to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs after overwhelming the Milwaukee Admirals 6-1 Tuesday in Des Moines to jump out to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
Goalie Andrew Hammond, who was a stellar 3-0 in the final games of the regular season to help extend Iowa's campaign, made 29 saves. In front of him, 14 different players tallied at least a point and seven had two-point efforts — including winger Kyle Rau, who scored twice.
Seven players also posted their first career Calder Cup Playoff points, and that group featured the three forwards who joined Iowa after the Wild's season ended.
And after combining for a goal and three assists Sunday, the trio of Jordan Greenway, Luke Kunin and Ryan Donato was even more productive Tuesday when Iowa seized control of the series.
SARAH MCLELLAN
