Aeros shoot down Chops on Tuesday, 6-2

Published on March 31, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


The Iowa Chops playoff hopes took a jolt on Tuesday night thanks to a 6-2 loss to the Houston Aeros. The Houston special teams again were the difference against Iowa as the Aeros scored three shorthanded goals and two power play goals. The Chops never led in the game and got goals from Troy Bodie and Petteri Wirtanen in the loss. Newcomers Mark Mitera and MacGregor Sharp were both impressive in the pro debuts, with Mitera picking up his first pro point with an assist on Bodie's goal. Now with only five games to go, the Chops remain three points out of a playoff spot.

The first period brought on a slew of penalties for the Houston Aeros, which didn't do much help for the Chops. The Aeros had a great penalty kill series, and midway through the period, the Aeros banged in their first goal, courtesy of Jason Ryznar to put them up by one. The Chops were quick to answer back, with a ringer of a goal by Troy Bodie. Chops' newcomer Mark Mitera got his first AHL point with the assist to Bodie's goal as well. The Chops held the Aeros back for the duration of the period to keep them tied at one apiece going into the second period.

The second period was a sight to see. The Aeros got back in the lead with a mid-period goal by a streaking Benoit Pouliot, who beat Chops goaltender David LeNeveu on a breakaway, but the Chops pulled together and got it tied up once again, just over two minutes later, off of Petteri Wirtanen's beautiful shot that squeaked just past Anton Khudobin's leg pad for the tying goal during a shorthanded effort with a great pass from TJ Trevelyan. The Chops faced penalty trouble late in the period, however, with a powerplay goal by Maxin Noreau.

A tough third period for the Chops leads to a heavy scoring onslaught by the Aeros, who nailed down three goals to seal the deal with six goals to Iowa's two. The Chops faced four penalty kills in the period, and did well, despite letting Corey Locke get one past LeNeveu for the fifth goal of the game, their second marker late in the third after Tony Hrkac's goal at with just under seven minutes to go in the game. The Aeros sealed the game with :57 left with Danny Irmen's empty net goal. The Chops now travel to Houston for the final game against the Aeros this season on Thursday, April 2nd at 7:05pm.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 31, 2009


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