Stars Backstop Earns Iowa's Fourth AHL Award
April 21, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release
DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa Stars received word today from the American Hockey League (AHL) that Iowa Stars Goaltender Mike Smith has been named the Koho/AHL Goaltender of the Month for the month of April.
The Kingston, Ontario native finished the month of April with a record of five wins and one loss, while posting a .937 Save Percentage and a 2.11 Goals Against Average. More impressively was that all his wins, and in fact all games played, were on the road. The most important win of the month came in a 3-2 overtime win in Omaha on April 7th. The overtime win gave the Stars a one-point lead over the Knights and essentially begin the separation between the Knights and Stars for the final playoff spot. Smith allowed two goals or less in four of the six games, including two games allowing just one goal.
Including March, his personal six-game winning streak was part of the Iowa Stars franchise-high eight consecutive wins and helped earn Iowa a berth in the 2006 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Smith allowed just five power-play goals in 35 man-down situations in April and was named the Number Two Star on April 14th at Peoria.
A 2001 draft pick by the Dallas Stars, he finished the 2005-06 Regular Season with a record of 25-19-6 in 50 appearances. The fourth-year professional finished fourth in the AHL with a 2.50 GAA, while placing seventh with a .917 Save Percentage. The 24-year-old backstop led all AHL goaltenders with six assists, including a three assist performance on March 3rd in Peoria. His second assist came on the game-winning goal. That achievement tied an AHL record with three assists in a single game by a goaltender. He joins three other AHL goalies, most recently Martin Brodeur of the NHL's New Jersey Devils. Brodeur, then of the Utica Devils (AHL), accomplished the feat on January 23rd, 1993 at Adirondack Red Wings (AHL).
In recognition of his achievement, Smith will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Stars home game.
CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS: The best-of-seven series will see the first two games (Fri & Sat) played in Milwaukee, before returning to Wells Fargo Arena for games on Monday, April 24th, and Tuesday, April 25th. If necessary, Game Five will be held on Thursday, April 27th at Wells Fargo Arena. All of the home dates will have 7:05 PM face-offs. Games Six and Seven, also if necessary, will be on the road, however, due to NBA scheduling, game dates and time have not yet been finalized. Doors open for all home games one hour prior to face-off. All ticketing information can be obtained by calling 515-23-STARS or by visiting iowastarshockey.com.
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