Chops get big win against 'Hogs on Friday, 3-2

Published on March 20, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


The Iowa Chops got three, 1st period goals and 33 saves from goaltender David LeNeveu to stay in the playoff race with a big 3-2 regulation win over the Rockford IceHogs in Des Moines on Friday night.

It was a huge 1st period for the Iowa Chops, who started the game feeling the desperation of trying to get a win at home to get back in the playoff mix. Six minutes into the game after the Chops had recorded the first six shots on goal, a shot from the point by Eric Regan was tipped by Eric Boguniecki through the legs of IceHogs goaltender Corey Crawford. Crawford could not control the rebound and Petteri Wirtanen picked up the loose rebound to give the Chops a 1-0 lead. A minute and a half later, the Chops took a 2-0 lead thanks to a pass from behind the net from Matt Beleskey to an open TJ Trevelyan who fired past and scrambling Crawford to put the Chops up 2-0. Former IceHogs and current Chops forward Petri Kontiola also assisted on the goal for his first point against his former team. The Chops went up 3-0 thanks to a great passing play by linemates Ryan Donally and Charlie Kronschnabel. Kronschabel's chance was denied by Crawford, but Francis Wathier collected the loose rebound to put the Chops up three. Chops goaltender David LeNeveu only faced four shots in the period, and one of those found the back of the net late in the period as Jake Dowell's slapshot flew past the glove of LeNeveu to give Rockford their first goal of the game at 3-1.

Neither team was able to find the back of the net during the 2nd period, but it wasn't without chances. The best chance for the Chops came off the stick of Chad Painchaud, who hit the post with a slapshot. The rest of the period belonged to Chops goaltender David LeNeveu, who stopped all 15 shots he faced, including several point-blank chances. Francis Wathier was whistled for boarding at the end of the period and given a major and a game misconduct heading into the 3rd period.

The Chops killed off the major penalty to begin the 3rd period thanks to good solid team defense. The IceHogs managed one more goal as Rob Klinkhammer beat the Chops defense to slide a shot past a sprawling LeNeveu. However, LeNeveu and the Chops would hold the fort the rest of the way to win 3-2 in large past because of LeNeveu's 33 saves.

The Chops return home tomorrow night, Saturday, March 21st to face the Quad City Flames at 7:05pm at the Wells Fargo Arena. Saturday is a Wendy's Family Night where for only $9.95 fans can get a ticket to the game, an Iowa Chops cowbell, an Iowa Chops Rally Towel and a Wendy's Combo Meal. Call 564-8700 or visit www.iowachops.com to learn more.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2009


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