Iowa tames Wolves for fourth straight win

Published on March 23, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa Stars hosted the Chicago Wolves at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday night in Downtown Des Moines. The Stars gave the hometown crowd several opportunities to cheer, including stopping a late third period penalty-shot, en route to a 3-2 win over the Division-leading Wolves. Coupled with a Peoria loss to Milwaukee tonight, the Stars now have a three point lead over Peoria for the fourth playoff spot in the West Division.

The Iowa Stars staked themselves to a 1-0 lead at the 7:11 mark of the first period. Taking a beautiful saucer-pass from behind the Chicago goal line from Scott May, Defenseman Mario Scalzo sent a shot that eluded Wolves netminder Michael Garnett. For May, Friday's game signified a return to the Iowa lineup after missing the last 25 games with an upper-body injury. Chicago's Jason Krog evened the score at one when he one-timed a shot that sailed past Iowa Goaltender Dan Ellis at the 10:02 mark. Forward Darren Haydar picked-up his League-leading 105th point of the season with an assist. Iowa out-shot the Wolves 12 to five in the period.

Junior Lessard gave the Iowa Stars a 2-1 lead with his team-leading 22nd goal of the season. Lessard cut toward the net and redirected a shot from Defenseman Mark Fistric at the 6:10 mark of the middle stanza. A little over four minutes later, Haydar grabbed his League-leading 106th point, a goal, to even the score at two. The tying goal came on a wrist-shot from the top of the right circle and with Chicago on the power-play. The Stars ‘got-a-little-luck' when a shot from Chicago blueliner Brian Sipotz clanged off the left post at the 12:20 mark.

Both teams continued their physical play well into the third period. After several scoring chances for both teams, Iowa was able to reclaim the lead. Collecting a lose puck inside the Chicago zone, Konstantin Pushkarev fired a shot at the Chicago goal and into traffic. Rookie Francis Wathier tipped-home the shot past a surprised Wolves netminder. Late in the third period, Iowa was whistled for a penalty and Chicago's Brett Sterling was granted a penalty-shot. With Sterling moving to his left, Ellis made a sprawling save to help maintain the Iowa lead. Iowa is now 1-1 when a penalty-shot is called against them.

Iowa Stars Goaltender Dan Ellis faced 19 shots for his 25th win of the season. He has now tied a franchise record for most wins in a single season that was set by Mike Smith in 2005-06. The win was also Ellis' fourth consecutive victory.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 23, 2007


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