Stars franchise best eight-game road winning streak snapped

Published on March 9, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA - The Iowa Stars, playing game two of a six-game, 4,300-mile road trip, visited the Manitoba Moose for the first time this season on Friday night. Iowa was unable to push their franchise-best eight-game winning-streak to nine games, dropping a 4-1 decision to the Manitoba Moose. The loss was just the 10th loss on road ice for the Stars. Iowa is now 21-10-1-0 on the road.

The Moose and Stars played a physical first period, hitting the body every chance they had an opportunity to do so. The Stars defense was solid in front of Iowa netminder Tobias Stephan, not allowing Manitoba a shot on goal for the first 15 minutes of the opening period. A last second flurry around the Iowa net by the Moose, propelled them to a 1-0 lead when J.J. Hunter scored with less than one second left in the period. Officially, the goal is credited at 19:59. Veteran Forward and former Dallas Star Mike Keane grabbed the assist for Manitoba.

With both teams hampered by four penalties against, eight minutes for Iowa and 11 for Manitoba, the second period was nothing close to the first period in terms of the flow of play. Left Wing Jason Jaffray gave the Moose a 2-0 lead 4:10 into the second period with a power-play tally. The power-play goal allowed was the first road power-play goal allowed by the Iowa Stars in 63 straight man-down situations. Awarded a five-minute, score-at-will, power-play after a high-sticking major was handed out to Manitoba's Marc Chouinard, the Stars had a few opportunities put the puck past Manitoba netminder Wade Flaherty. Iowa's Janos Vas hit the short-side right post, not once but twice, with under two minutes left in the second period.

Starting the third period with 1:51 left on the major penalty to Chouinard, the Stars registered a power-play goal 1:13 into the period. Iowa's Yard Hagos, setting-up a screen in front of the Manitoba goal, tipped a slap-shot by Junior Lessard from the blue line. Captain Marty Wilford garnered the second assist on the goal. Despite controlling the play for a majority of the play in the first part of the period, Manitoba's J.J. Hunter regained the two-goal lead at the 8:56 mark. Camped in front of the Iowa net, Hunter was one-timed a below the goal line pass from Marc Chouinard. Nathan Smith sealed the victory for the Moose with a goal at the 16:25 mark.

With Dan Ellis receiving the night off in the Iowa goal, Goaltender Tobias Stephan made his first game appearance since February 13th, a span of 10 games. The rookie netminder faced 28 shots in the loss.

Shots: IOWA: 22; MANITOBA: 28; Attendance: 7,577

Game Sheet - http://stats.theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1003060

IOWA STARS INFO: The Stars play game three of their six-game road trip in Manitoba Saturday evening. Iowa returns home to face the Peoria Rivermen on Tuesday, March 20th at 7 PM. It's GETAWAY TUESDAY! One lucky fan will win roundtrip airfare for two to Las Vegas compliments of Allegiant Air. It is also 2-for-1 Tuesday! Get two $21 tickets for the price of one with a valid high school, college, or military identification! 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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American Hockey League Stories from March 9, 2007


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