Iowa win moves Stars into playoff position
March 20, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release
DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa Stars returned home to Wells Fargo Arena for a Tuesday night game against the Peoria Rivermen. The Stars registered their third consecutive victory with a 2-1 win over the Rivermen. Tuesday's win gives Iowa 74 points, one ahead of Peoria, and moves the Stars into the fourth and final playoff spot in the West Division. Iowa has 12 games left in the Regular Season and is only 10 points out of second place.
The Iowa Stars grabbed the all-important first goal of the game a quarter of the way through the opening period. Rookie Centerman Paul Szczechura collected the puck at the Peoria blueline, skated down the right wall and fired a wrist-shot that glanced off the left shoulder of Peoria netminder Chris Beckford-Tseu and into the net. It was the second goal in as many games for the recently signed forward from Western Michigan University.
Peoria's Trent Whitfield was the lucky recipient of a weird play in the Iowa zone to even the score at one. An apparent icing call was negated after the puck came off the end wall and went right to a waiting Kevin Croxton in front of the Iowa goal. Croxton redirected the puck to Whitfield who had a wide open net to shoot into at the 7:41 mark. Just over seven minutes later, the Iowa Stars regained the one-goal lead. Forward Konstantin Pushkarev intercepted a clearing attempt from the Peoria defenseman and tipped the puck to Greg Rallo. Rallo passed the puck toward Yared Hagos at the top of the slot. Hagos turned and fired a shot that snuck between the legs of Beckford-Tseu. The goal was Hagos' second point of the game.
The game's third period was a scoreless 20 minutes of play. Iowa out-shot the Rivermen 10 to five in the game's final period.
Stars netminder Dan Ellis registered 21 saves en route to his third consecutive win. Ellis now has 24 wins on the season.
Shots: IOWA: 27; PEORIA: 22 Attendance: 4,368
Game Sheet - http://stats.theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1003131
IOWA STARS INFO: The Stars continue at home with two games this weekend, Friday against Chicago and Saturday against Milwaukee. Friday is KCWI Date Night. Two tickets, two hot dogs and two sodas for just $23 compliments of KCWI 23! Saturday is Group Incentive Night. Contact the Stars about arranging your group. Game time for both games is 7:00 PM. Doors open for all home games one hour before face-off. Bring a group or hold your child's birthday at a Stars game! All ticketing information can be obtained by calling 515-23-STARS or by visiting IowaStarsHockey.com.
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