8,378 watch Chops fall in close shootout, 4-3

January 30, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


The Iowa Chops clawed back from a 3-1 deficit in front of the second largest crowd to witness a hockey game at the Wells Fargo Arena, but ultimately fell in a shootout for the second straight game as Peoria squeezed by the Chops Friday night with the 4-3 shootout win.

It didn't take the Rivermen long to grab the lead as just :50 seconds into the game a shot from the point bounced off the chest of JP Levasseur and into the high slot where Julain Talbot pounced on the rebound and fired one over the glove of Levasseur for a 1-0 lead. The Chops had to kill three penalties in the period, whcih led to the wide 11-5 shot advantage by the Rivermen after one period.

The 2nd period was one of the more wild affairs that the fans at the Wells Fargo Arena have seen this season. Capped by four different fights, the Chops and Rivermen stepped up the physical intensity. The Chops managed to tie the game at 1-1 thanks to a shorthanded goal by TJ Trevelyan, who's drive from an odd angle went through the legs of Ben Bishop with Ajay Baines assisting on the goal. However, Peoria would strike right back as a drive from the point beat JP Levasseur to the left post for a 2-1 Rivermen lead. The Rivermen increased the lead to 3-1 as Jonathan Filewich got his own rebound and slipped a shot over Levessaeur for the 3-1 lead. The goal chased Levasseur from the net and David LeNeveu replaced him in goal. The Chops built momentum thanks to fights by Ryan Donally and Francis Wathier and it paid off in front of the big crowd with a goal from Adrian Veideman, who kept hacking at a loose puck at the side of the net that eventually squeezed past Bishop bringing the Chops to within 3-2. Troy Bodie and Ajay Baines assisted on the goal.

The Chops had the momentum the entire 3rd period and tied the score with a goal on the power play by Matt Beleskey, one sent a one-timer past Ben Bishop with assists to Eric Boguniecki and TJ Trevelyan. The Chops could never get the go ahead goal as the game went to overtime.

In the OT both teams had good chances, but for the second straight night the Chops game would be decided in a shootout. The Chops shootout woes continued as Peoria scored on three out of four shooters, while TJ Trevelyan managed the only goal in the shootout for the Chops, and Peoria would come away with the extra point in the 4-3 shootout win.

The attendance of 8,378 fans was the second largest in Wells Fargo Arena history to witness a hockey game, trailing only the crowd of 8,842 set back on January 28, 2006.



American Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2009


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