Iowa Wins Game Five 5-1
Published on May 10, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release
DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa Stars and the Chicago Wolves squared-off in Game Five of the West Division Finals on Thursday night at Wells Fargo Arena. The Iowa Stars staved off elimination in Game Five of the West Division Finals with a 5-1 win over the Wolves. Ironically, when Iowa was down 3-1 in the series to Milwaukee last season, the Stars also registered a 5-1 win on a Thursday night. Iowa now trails the best-of-seven series, 3-2 and plays Game Six in Rosemont, Illinois on Saturday night. Game time is 7:00 PM.
The Iowa Stars had the start they were looking for as the prepared for Thursday's game as right off the opening face-off, Iowa was able to claim a 1-0 lead. After Center Joel Lundqvist won the draw, Junior Lessard capitalized on a miscue by the Chicago defender and crossed the blueline and fired on Michael Garnett. Garnett lost the puck in his feet and Loui Eriksson tapped in the loose puck. The goal came just :08 seconds after the opening face-off. The AHL post-season record to start any period is :04 seconds (May 22nd, 2003, 3rd period). Iowa expanded their lead to two with a shorthanded goal late in the period. After blocking a shot, Yared Hagos collected the loose puck and streak-up the right side on a two-on-one. Using Marius Holtet as a passing decoy, Hagos unleashed a wrist-shot that sailed just under the crossbar and rattled the cage. Hagos' first playoff goal came at the 18:03 mark. Dan Ellis helped preserve the 1-0 lead making several leg pad saves during Iowa's four first period penalties. The Stars set a new 2007 post-season record and tied a franchise record with 17 shots in the period.
Early in the second period Chicago had a chance to cut the lead by one however, Jordan LaVallee misfired on a one-time shot. Shortly thereafter, Iowa's Joel Lundqvist clanged a shot off the right post, but a minute later, Lundqvist hit his mark. Defenseman Matt Niskanen fed Junior Lessard at the top of the left circle who then passed to Lundqvist. Lundqvist faked a defender and then waited for Garnett to get out of position before he sent his backhand shot past the down and out Chicago netminder. Three minutes later Lundqvist scored his second power-play goal of the game. Camped in front of the Chicago goal, Lundqvist scored when he picked-up the rebound of a Loui Eriksson shot. Niskanen earned his second assist of the night on the goal. Iowa shot their lead to 5-0 with another power-play goal at the 13:00 minute. Defenseman Mario Scalzo's shot went wide of the Chicago net but the rebound came straight back off the end-wall right to Vojtech Polak. Polak flicked his wrists and sent the puck over a sliding Garnett. Chicago's Trevor Byrne snapped Dan Ellis' bid for his first post-season shutout at the 15:21 mark of the middle stanza. Byrne, a defenseman by trade, raced down the right wall and sent a backhand shot past Ellis' glove. The second period ended with several penalties dolled out to each team. In the end, Iowa wound-up with a five minute power-play to start the third period.
The third period saw the Wolves out-shoot Iowa, 15 to nine, but Ellis was the story of the period. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native stopped all 15 shots, including a spectacular diving save on Darren Haydar with 10 minutes left. He also stopped a Brian Fahey bid when he was all alone in front of the net.
Dan Ellis stopped 36 of 37 shots en route to his sixth post-season win. Thursday also marked the first time in five post-season games that Iowa out-shot an opponent and won the game.
The Stars accomplished a few post-season feats this game: Quickest goal to start game and period (:08-franchise); Most shots in a period (17-tied franchise); Most shots in game (41-franchise)
Shots: IOWA: 41; CHICAGO: 37; Game Sheet: http://stats.theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1003371
IOWA STARS INFO: The Iowa Stars and Chicago Wolves play Game Six of the best-of-seven series on Saturday, May 12th in Illinois. Game time is 7:00 PM. If Iowa wins, Game Seven would be Monday night in Illinois. Listen to all games, home and away, on AM 940 or watch streaming video over the B2 Networks by visiting IowaStarsHockey.com. 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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