The Iowa Wild will face the Manitoba Moose on February 22, 2026, at 3:00 PM CST at the Canada Life Centre, aiming to build on their recent overtime victory. This Iowa Wild game preview highlights key players, recent form, and team dynamics as both squads seek an edge in this divisional battle.
Recent Performances and Team Updates
The Wild secured a 3-2 overtime win over the Moose last Saturday, with goaltender William Rousseau making 25 saves on 27 shots. Tyler Pitlick scored the tying goal early in the third period, and Carson Lambos provided the decisive overtime score. Iowa has posted a 2-3 record over their last five games, averaging 3.4 goals per game while allowing four. This season, the Wild hold a narrow 3-2 advantage in head-to-head matchups with Manitoba.
Conversely, the Moose fell short in the last encounter, losing 3-2 in overtime. Thomas Milic faced 36 shots, stopping 33 in the defeat. Danny Zhilkin contributed a goal and an assist, while Isaak Phillips added the other goal for Manitoba. The Moose have a 1-2-1-1 record over their last five contests, scoring and conceding an average of 2.6 goals per game. Their record against Iowa this season shows an even 2-2-1-0 split, underscoring the competitive rivalry.
Projected Lineups and Key Players to Monitor
The Iowa Wild’s expected lines feature Heidt, Jones, Aube-Kubel, Gambrell, Haight, Pitlick, Olausson, Bankier, and Foudy among others, supported defensively by Kiersted, Jiricek, and Lambos, with Petersen and Rousseau managing goaltending duties.
Manitoba projects Shaw, Gustafsson, Chibrikov, Anderson, Dolan, Zhilkin, Fagemo, Barlow, Yager, Wagner, Lambert, Ford, Di Giuseppe, Saunter, Bauer, Phillips, Barteaux, Anhorn, Clague, Poulter, and Milic as their lineup for this game.
Players to watch include Iowa’s Gerry Mayhew, who leads the team with 23 points and 14 goals, while Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Dylan Gambrell, and Oskar Olausson top the assist charts with 13 each. Michael Koster stands out for Iowa with the team’s best plus/minus rating of plus one this season.
On Manitoba’s side, Mason Shaw leads with 32 points and 14 goals, paired with a strong plus/minus rating of +15. David Gustafsson has been pivotal with 21 assists, driving the Moose’s offense.
Anticipated Impact and Upcoming Schedule
This game promises to be closely contested as the Wild seek to avenge their recent overtime win and strengthen their standing against a strong Manitoba squad. Both teams are balancing playoff aspirations and will look to momentum from this matchup.
Following this game, Iowa will take on the Milwaukee Admirals on February 24, while Manitoba heads to face the Grand Rapids Griffins on February 25. These upcoming contests will be critical in determining postseason positioning down the stretch.
