Chops save the best for last with 4-3 shootout win in Milwaukee

March 28, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


In their final trip to Milwaukee this season the Iowa Chops were fueled by a two-goal comeback in the 3rd period to climb within two points of a playoff spot with a 4-3 shootout win on Saturday night in Miwaukee against the first-place Admirals. The shootout win marked the first time in nine tries this season that the Iowa Chops have won a game in a shootout.

Both teams fired 11 shots in the opening period, but it would be the Admirals scoring the lone goal. On the power play, Hugh Jessiman got his own rebound and put a loose puck past Iowa Chops goaltender JP Levasseur for the 1-0 lead. Levasseur and Admirals goaltender Drew MacIntyre were both solid in the period. The power play goal marked the first time in the last 17 chances the Chops have allowed a power play goal.

The Admirals started the middle period right where they left off the 1st period, with continous pressure on the Chops goal. After some saves by Levasseur in front, Oren Eizenman scooped up a loose puck and scored his first goal of the season to give the Admirals a 2-0 lead. After the Admirals were whistled for a too many men on the ice penalty, the Chops scored their first goal in their last 5+ periods as Ajay Baines took a pass from TJ Trevelyan and slipped a shot underneath MacIntyre as the power play expired to bring the Chops within 2-1.

The final period didn't start well for Iowa as Nick Spaling scored less than a minute in to make it 3-1 Admirals. However, this desperate Chops team wouldn't say die. Down 3-1, the remainder of the game was an exciting mix of power plays and goals for the Chops, as Troy Bodie closed the gap to within 3-2 crashing the net and tipping home a pass from Matt Beleskey. Minutes later, a slapshot from Petteri Wirtanen was redircted in front by Eric Boguniecki to tie the game at 3-3. It was Boguniecki's 4th goal of the week.

In the overtime, the Chops and Ads played a back-and-forth game towards both goalies, and the Chops were able to stifle the Admirals' tough offensive pressure. and brought the game to a shootout. Traditionally, the Chops have trouble in the shootout period. The Chops changed all that, with successive goals by Adrian Veideman, Petri Kontiola and Matt Beleskey, to take the tense game.

The Chops now return home for their fifth game in six nights as they host the Quad City Flames on Sunday, March 29th at 5:05pm at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. With only three home games remaining, the Chops need every point in another game with major playoff implications. For tickets and more information call the Chops office at 515-564-8700 or visit www.iowachops.com.



American Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2009


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