Iowa Chops debut a success in 5-3 comeback win

Published on October 11, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


The Iowa Chops era has begun... and in grand and exciting fashion. With a 5-3 win on Opening Night in front of a spirited crowd of 6,951 fans, the Iowa Chops won their inaugural game scoring five unanswered goals after the Peoria Rivermen scored the first three goals of the game. The Iowa Chops dominated the 1st period outshooting the Rivermen 12-6 in the opening frame, but thanks to goals from Juilan Talbot and Brad Winchester, the Rivermen were spoiling the Chops party early. Another goal from Talbot to begin the 2nd period, but the Chops down 3-0, but with over 37 minutes of hockey remaining, the Chops didn't panic and thanks to a timely scrap thanks to Assistant Captain Brennan Evans, the momentum quickly swung the Chops way. Evans got the best of Curtis Fraser in the only tilt of the night and quickly thereafter the Chops scored their first-ever goal thanks to a power play marker from Josh Green. Green smashed home a loose puck underneath Rivermen goaltender Marek Schwartz to cut the score to 3-1 with help from Andrew Ebbett and Eric Boguniecki. The Chops quickly scored again thanks to a big breakaway save by Chops goaltender David LeNeveu, who shut the door on Chris Conner shorthanded chance. That save led to a rush up the ice by the Chops, as Bobby Ryan and Joakim Lindstrom got the puck to an open Brian Salcido, who streaked in on Schwartz and fired a snapshot over the blocker to make it 3-2 at the end of the 2nd period.

The 3rd period was all Chops, helped out by 23 saves by LeNeveu in his Chops debut. The Chops tied the game on the power play as Bobby Ryan picked up a loose puck in front after some nice passing by linemates Joakim Lindstrom and Ryan Dingle, and sent a no-look shot off the right post past Schwartz. The Chops continued the momentum and pressure, and it paid off with a shorthanded goal from Drew Miller, who played hero for the second straight game. Miller went behind the Rivermen net to attack both defensemen and came out alone in front of the net with the puck, which he deposited underneath Schwartz to give the Chops their first-ever lead. The Chops sealed the 5-3 win with a great give and go pass from Eric Boguniecki to Andrew Ebbett who streaked in alone from the side and slipped a shot underneath Schwartz for the fifth straight Chops goal of the night.

Fresh off the win, the Iowa Chops take the show on the road on Saturday, October 11th as they will once again face the Peoria Rivermen, this time in Peoria. The face-off is at 7:00pm and the game can be heard live on ESPN Radio 1700 THE CHAMP, or online at www.ahllive.com.

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