Chops fall in shootout on Tuesday; Big home weekend next for Iowa

February 24, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


Thanks to two goals in the 3rd period, the Iowa Chops salvaged a point on Tuesday night against the San Antonio Rampage. However, the Chops continue to be snakebiten in extra time as for the eighth time in eight tries this season, the team fell in a shootout, 4-3. The Chops came out in the first period with hope and confidence, turning the game into a shooting gallery, posting 18 shots on net in the first stanza, which marked a season-high for Iowa. The Chops took advantge of an early power play as Troy Bodie netted his 10th of the season to give the Chops a 1-0 lead. However, that was answered late in the period by Jeff Hoggan from the Rampage to tie the game 1-1 after one period.

The Chops started the second period with a successful penalty kill. Just six minutes into the period, however, the Rampage got the go-ahead power play goal by Sean Sullivan from the point. The Rampage fought hard for the puck all period, and kept the Chops from continuing their dominance in the shots department, letting the Chops put just five on net in the second. The Chops kept the fight up against the Rampage's heavy offensive play, but Sean Sullivan brought the heat again with just :24 left in the period, putting the Rampage ahead 3-1 at the end of the period.

The Chops were down 3-1 heading into the 3rd period, but that didn't hold them down. Matt Caruana got the 2nd goal for Iowa on a great tip by a pass from Ryan Donally to put them within one. The game changer occurred with just nine minutes to go in regulation, when Ajay Baines wired a pass right on the tape of Troy Bodie's stick. Bodie took full advantage of the pass and winged it just past Al Montoya, giving the Chops a needed game-tying goal. The play then continued to a familiar landscape for these Chops: Overtime.

The five-minute overtime held plenty of great chances for the Chops, including a post by Brett Festerling, but Al Montoya came up big on the shots, including a deflection that fell right between his leg pads. The Rampage kept the Chops from scoring in overtime, so the Chops went to another shootout. The luck wasn't with the Chops in the shootout period, after goals by Kyle Turris and Alexander Nikulin were enough to beat the Chops with two goals to Bodie's single goal in the shootout.

The Chops now look ahead to this weekend when they will host perhaps the two biggest games of the season and look to shatter attendance records against Chicago on Friday, February 27th and Milwaukee on Saturday, February 28th, both at 7:05pm. The Iowa Chops will host the Chicago Wolves during Pink in the Rink night on Friday during a game dedicated to breast cancer awareness. The ice will be pink, the players jerseys will be auctioned off after the game, one lucky rookie will dye his hair pink and there are even special t-shirts on sale now. All proceeds from the game and t-shirt sales benefit the John Stoddard Cancer Care Center and the Breast Cancer Care Coordinator program. On Saturday, it is Mercy ‘Go Red' Night as the Iowa Chops host the 1st place Milwaukee Admirals. The night begins at 5pm with a pre-game tailgate party at Veterans Memorial Auditorium with food, drink, fun and live music by One Nite Stand Band presented by 95KGGO. For more information call 564-8700 or visit www.iowachops.com



American Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central