Depleted Stars fall to Chicago

Published on December 5, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


ROSEMONT, IL - For the third time in just over a week, the Iowa Stars and Chicago Wolves squared-off against one another. Without the services of several key players, the Stars dropped a 5-2 road decision to Chicago on Tuesday evening.

The Chicago Wolves jumped out to a 1-0 lead at the 7:03 mark of the first period. The Stars had just finished killing-off two five-on-three penalties, but where unable to regroup, allowing Darren Haydar to give the Wolves the early lead with a five-on-four power-play goal. For Haydar, it was his fifteenth goal of the season. At one point in the period, Chicago had a 13 to 2 shot advantage, however as the period came to a close, Iowa was responsible for the period's last six shots.

Iowa was able to tie the game at one goal apiece with an excellent play by Iowa Defenseman Nicklas Grossman. Loaned to Iowa by Dallas earlier in the day, Grossman kept the puck in at the blueline and fired a shot on Chicago Goaltender Fred Brathwaite. Brathwaite left a rebound for a waiting Dan Hacker. Hacker sent a shot past the netminder at the 9:54 mark of the middle stanza. Iowa out-shot the Wolves, 12 to 11 in the period.

Rookie sensation Brett Sterling regained the lead for Chicago early in the third period with his 19th goal of the season. The power-play goal came just 3:43 into the final period. The Wolves then exploded for three more goals in the game's final period. Derek MacKenzie scored a shorthanded goal at 5:04. It was the ninth shorthanded goal allowed by Iowa this season and the sixth scored by Chicago. Four of their six have come against Iowa. Sterling and Haydar each scored their second goals of the game less than one minute apart. With just over five minutes remaining in the game, Iowa's Francis Wathier notched his first American Hockey League goal, off a rebound of a Mike Green shot. Prior to being reassigned to Iowa, Wathier had scored four goals with Iowa's ECHL affiliate, the Idaho Steelheads. Defenseman Nicklas Grossman grabbed his second assist of the game.

Iowa played Tuesday's game without the services of several players: Loui Eriksson, Joel Lundqvist & Mathias Tjarnqvist - all recalled by Dallas; Toby Petersen - recalled by Edmonton; Junior Lessard - injured did not play; Krys Barch - injured during the game.

Iowa Goaltender Dan Ellis faced 38 shots in the loss.

Shots: IOWA: 24; CHICAGO: 38; Attendance: 4,028

Game Sheet - http://stats.theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1002534

IOWA STARS INFO: The Stars return home to Wells Fargo Arena for a Tuesday, December 12th game against those same Wolves. On Tuesday the 12th, as part of Getaway Tuesdays, the Stars will be giving away a FREE roundtrip airfare for two to Las Vegas courtesy of Allegiant Air. The 12th is also ISU Alumni Night with tickets as low as $10 for Iowa State Alums. For more info on this night, call 877-ISU-ALUM or 515-23-STARS. After playing the next four on the road, the Stars return on December 22nd. The Dec. 22 game is a 4 for $40 night. Get four $21 tickets for only $40! In addition, the first 1,000 fans will receive a FREE Iowa Stars Santa hat. Doors open for all home games one hour before face-off. Bring a group or hold your child's birthday at a Stars game! All ticketing information can be obtained by calling 515-23-STARS or by visiting IowaStarsHockey.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2006


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