Iowa Evens the Series, Forces Game Seven

Published on April 28, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


MILWAUKEE, WI - The Iowa Stars and the Milwaukee Admirals returned to the Bradley Center for Game Six of the West Division Semi-Finals on Friday night. The best-of-seven series will now go to a seventh and deciding game thanks to a 29-save performance by Iowa goalie Mike Smith and a 4-2 win by Iowa.

For the second time in as many games and nights, the Stars and Admirals played a scoreless first period. At 11:30 of the first period, Milwaukee Head Coach Claude Noel removed goaltender Brian Finley and inserted Jake Moreland into the Admiral goal. The Admirals out-shot the Stars 10-9 in the opening period.

Milwaukee forward Darren Haydar registered his third goal and ninth point of the post-season when he poked home a loose puck in front of Mike Smith's goal at 5:39 of the second period. A minute and 21 seconds later, from the corner Krys Barch fed rookie Dan Hacker in front of Moreland's net. In only his third AHL game, the Alaskan-born forward registered his second AHL goal, evening the score at one. After serving a two minute penalty for interference, Marius Holtet exited the penalty box and picked-up the lose puck at center ice. The Norwegian settled the puck and raced down the right boards. Holtet eluded a hip-check by Greg Zanon and unleashed a shot that caught the inside of the far left post for a 2-1 Iowa lead. The Stars took the lead into the second intermission even though the Ads out-shot them 13-8 in the middle frame.

Center Kyle Brodziak spotted the Stars a 3-1 lead just 3:16 into the third period. Brodziak controlled the puck along the left wall, turned to the net and then threaded a shot between the Admiral players for the unassisted tally. Working down low behind the Milwaukee goal, Loui Eriksson sent a centering pass to Toby Petersen. Petersen buried his second of the post-season, giving Iowa a 4-1 lead. Lessard picked-up his second assist of the game on the power-play goal at 7:06. Defenseman Steve Lingren made it interesting when he scored his second of the playoffs and making the score 4-2. However, the Stars defense, especially Jason Platt, was up to the challenge, blocking countless shots and clearing the front of the net so Mike Smith could get a good clear look at the puck.

Smith faced 31 shots in the victory, including 21 over the final two periods.

Game Seven is Sunday afternoon at the Bradley Center. The puck drops at 4:00 PM. Catch the extended 30-minute pre-game show at 6:30 PM on AM 940. Watch the game online by clicking on the B2 logo on www.IowaStarsHockey.com.

Attendance: 2,442 Shots: IOWA: 27; MILWAUKEE: 31 Power-play chances: IOWA: 1 for 6; MILWAUKEE: 2 for 6

CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS: The best-of-seven series comes down to Game seven on Sunday afternoon in Milwaukee. Face-off is 4:00 PM. Reserve your 2006-07 season tickets by calling 515-23-STARS or by visiting iowastarshockey.com.



American Hockey League Stories from April 28, 2006


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