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Chops edged in shootout again; Season finale Saturday in Des Moines

April 11, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL) - Iowa Chops News Release


Despite a season-high 44 saves from goaltender JP evasseur, the Iowa Chops fell for the 10th time this season in a shootout Friday night in Quad City against the Flames, 3-2. The Flames scored on all three shooters in the shootout, while the Chops shooters went 0 for 3. The Chops will host the Flames on Saturday, April 11th at 7:05pm at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines for the final regular season game of the year. Tickets can be purchased by calling 515-564-8700 or visiting www.iowachops.com

The Chops scoreless streak reached seven periods, with neither team able to light the lamp in the 1st period. However, Chops goaltender JP Levasseur, making his fourth straight start was sharp again stopping all 14 Flames shot in the period. The Chops managed only three on the Flames.

The Flames started the 2nd period with an offensive flourish, and despite more outstanding saves from Levasseur, the Flames scored the game's first goal as a shot from the point on a delayed penalty by Gord Baldwin bounced past Levasseur for a 1-0 Flames lead. On the very next shift and careless Chops turnover on a breakout gave the puck to Dustin Boyd, who tapped it in an open net. The Chops scored their first goal in 7+ periods, as Petteri Wirtanen scored a shorthanded goal with help from TJ Trevelyan and Brennan Evans.

The third period saw the Chops dealing with a five-on-three penalty kill midway through the period, with great succession thanks to Levasseur who may have made his three best saves all season within a one minute span. The Flames had 40 shots on goal at the midway point of the period, but the Chops' defensive corps and Levasseur stood tall. The Chops had only 15 shots total at that point in the game. Brian Salcido knotted the score at 2-2 late in the period, however, with a great feed Macgregor Sharp and Matt Beleskey, and the game went to overtime. After a scoreless overtime, largely controlled by the Chops the game went to a shootout, much to the disliking of the Chops who fell for a AHL-high 10th time this season in the shootout.

The Iowa Chops final home game of the 2008-09 season is Saturday, April 11th at 7:05pm at the Wells Fargo Arena against the Quad City Flames. Saturday night is Iowa Chops Fan Appreciation Night. Beginning at the tailgate party and continuing through the game, the Iowa Chops will be completely emptying their prize bin. Saturday's game is expected set a new hockey attendance record at the Wells Fargo Arena. The old record of 10,475 fans set earlier this year on February 27, 2009, is expected to be shattered this Saturday according to pre-sale figures. Saturday night is the final Wendy's Family Night of the season. For only $9.95 fans can get a ticket to the game, an Iowa Chops cowbell, an Iowa Chops Rally Towel and and Wendy's Combo Meal! To order the Wendy's deal online, click here or call 564-8700.

The first 1,000 fans to enter Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday night will receive a Bobby Ryan bobblehead courtesy of Krist Insurance. Important: There are only 1,000 bobbleheads available. They will go extremely fast! It is recommended that fans wishing to obtain a free bobblehead, SHOW UP EARLY before the doors open. Doors open at 6pm to the general pubic (5pm for Gold Club member seating). Only one bobblehead per ticketed fan. Saturday's game will have three reserved times for Gold Club seating. 5:00pm, 5:45pm, and 6:30pm. To reserve your time for Saturday's game, please call your Iowa Chops ticket representative at 564-8700, option 1.

In support of Lance Armstrong's signature color, the Chops will skate on yellow ice while wearing special yellow jerseys in support of cancer research. The game worn jerseys will be auctioned off live on the ice following the night's contest in Section 102. A silent auction of sports memorabilia items will be held on the concourse throughout the game. Fans can show support for this event in several ways, including purchasing a Livestrong t-shirt to wear for the evening. T-shirts start at $10 and are available for sale online. A limited selection of these shirts will be available for purchase at the game as well.

Fans are invited to join the Chops and 92.5 FM KJJY at the final tailgate party of the season beginning at 5:00pm. The tailgate party is a free event! It will take place outside on Park Street, between 2nd and 3rd Streets right outside of AllPlay (one block South of Wells Fargo Arena on 3rd Street). It will also feature live music by Douglas Acres. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids, and AllPlay will be offering a Bratwurst and Chips food special for $5 and tallboys for $3. With a record crowd scheduled to show up and another event taking place in the Iowa Events Center area on Saturday night, parking for the game will be at a premium. Please allow for extra time when parking. If the parking lot to the Northwest of the arena is full, fans are encouraged to park in the garage at 6th and Crocker, or any of the other alternative garages in the immediate area.

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