Iowa Wild edge Manitoba Moose in shootout thriller

Late goal forces overtime before Wild prevail in dramatic shootout

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:13am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the chaotic final seconds of a hockey game, with abstracted player forms and a puck-shaped object in a palette of blues, greens, and reds.A cubist interpretation of the dramatic final moments of the Iowa Wild's shootout victory over the Manitoba Moose.Des Moines Today

The Iowa Wild defeated the Manitoba Moose 3-2 in a shootout on Friday night at Casey's Center in Des Moines. Bradley Marek scored the game-tying goal with 22 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, and goaltender Riley Mercer made a spectacular save in the shootout to secure the victory for Iowa.

Why it matters

The win keeps the Wild in the playoff hunt in the highly competitive Central Division, while the Moose missed an opportunity to gain ground on the division leaders. The dramatic finish highlighted the intensity of the rivalry between these two teams.

The details

Manitoba jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period on a goal by Danny Zhilkin. Riley Heidt tied the game for Iowa in the second period before Dawson Barteaux put the Moose back in front late in the third. But Marek's last-minute heroics sent the game to overtime, where it was ultimately decided in the shootout. Mercer's highlight-reel save on Zhilkin in the shootout proved to be the difference.

  • The game was played on Friday, April 18, 2026.
  • Zhilkin scored to give Manitoba a 1-0 lead 8:15 into the first period.
  • Heidt tied the game for Iowa at 5:24 of the second period.
  • Barteaux put Manitoba back in front with 1:29 remaining in regulation.
  • Marek scored the game-tying goal for Iowa with 22 seconds left in the third period.

The players

Bradley Marek

Forward for the Iowa Wild who scored the game-tying goal late in the third period to force overtime.

Riley Mercer

Goaltender for the Iowa Wild who made 31 saves and had a spectacular shootout save to secure the victory.

Danny Zhilkin

Forward for the Manitoba Moose who scored the opening goal of the game.

Thomas Milic

Goaltender for the Manitoba Moose who made 25 saves in the losing effort.

Dawson Barteaux

Defenseman for the Manitoba Moose who scored the go-ahead goal late in the third period.

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What they’re saying

“That was a huge save by Mercer in the shootout. It really kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win it.”

— Bradley Marek, Forward, Iowa Wild

“We had it right there at the end, but couldn't hold on. Credit to Iowa for battling back and finding a way to win in the shootout.”

— Dawson Barteaux, Defenseman, Manitoba Moose

What’s next

The two teams will meet again on Sunday afternoon at Casey's Center in the rubber match of their three-game series.

The takeaway

This thrilling back-and-forth contest highlighted the intense rivalry between the Iowa Wild and Manitoba Moose, two of the top teams in the Central Division. The Wild's ability to rally late and prevail in the shootout showed their resilience and character, keeping them in the playoff hunt.