Stars prepare for three-in-three weekend

Published on December 12, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


FRI., DEC. 16 vs. CHICAGO WOLVES - WELLS FARGO ARENA

Stars vs. Chicago: Stars Lead Season Series, 3-0

Broadcasts: Jason Shaver on AM 940; Video - iowastarshockey.com

The Stars hold a 3-0 advantage in the season series with the Wolves, including a 3-2 shootout win this past Saturday in Des Moines. Yan Stastny had the Stars second goal and his shootout goal, credited as a team goal, helped give Iowa the victory. Dan Ellis made 40 saves in the win--- The Wolves have used the services of six goaltenders this season: Steve Shields, Gregg Naumenko, Tuomas Tarkki, Adam Berkhoel, Jani Hurme, and Michael Garnett. Using a three-games as a minimum, Berkhoel (now in Atlanta) leads the team with a .922 save percentage, while Naumenko paces the team with a 2.37 GAA. Naumenko is now with the Portland (ME) Pirates (AHL)--- Earlier on Monday, the Wolves released defenseman Chris Tamer. A veteran of 644 NHL games, Tamer had three assists and 16 penalty minutes in 14 games for the Wolves this season--- Ramzi Abid leads the Wolves with 23 points, including a team-high 12 goals--- Chicago defeated the Peoria Rivermen on Sunday, 4-1 at home. Pat Dwyer had two goals to lead the Wolves. Chicago hosts San Antonio on December 14th--- At print time, their record stands at 8- 10-1-3, 20 points.

Sat., Dec. 17 @ Omaha Knights - Omaha, Nebraska

Stars vs. Omaha: Stars Trail Season Series, 2-3

Broadcasts: Jason Shaver on AM 940; Video - iowastarshockey.com

AND

SUN., DEC. 18 vs. OMAHA KNIGHTS - WELLS FARGO ARENA

Stars vs. Omaha: Stars Trail Season Series, 2-3

Broadcasts: Jason Shaver on AM 940; Video - iowastarshockey.com The Omaha Knights are coming off back-to-back losses to San Antonio Saturday and Sunday night. Prior to playing Iowa, they play a home-and-home series with Milwaukee on the 14th and 16th--- Omaha's 12-11-0-5 and 29 points has them five points ahead of Iowa in the standings--- Their 692 PIM's rank them as the third-most penalized team in the West Division. Iowa is fourth with 629 PIM's--- Omaha goalie Curtis McElhinney ranks fifth in the AHL when it comes to goals against and 10th based on save percentage. He checksin with a 2.30 GAA and a .916%--- All five of Omaha's shootout losses have come on home-ice.

IN THE COMMUNITY: Out and Around Des Moines & Neighboring Communities

STARS PROMOTIONS/APPEARANCES:

- Friday, December 16th - Join the Iowa Stars and KCCI NewsChannel 8 on Friday when we welcome the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Marines will be on hand to collect new toys and/or monetary donations prior to the Stars 7:05 PM game against Chicago.

- Friday, December 16th - GROUP INCENTIVE NIGHT! Bring a group of 20 or more to the game and everyone in the group will receive a special Iowa Stars Santa Hat! Call 515-23-STARS for more info.

- Sunday, December 18th - SPECIAL TEAM AUTOGRAPH SESSION! The Stars will be giving away a special team poster and then hold a giant post-game autograph session! If any member of the media is interested in speaking with Stars players or members of the coaching staff, please contact Dave Garabedian at 515-23-STARS.

STAR DUST :

- Center Toby Petersen had his franchise-high five game point-streak snapped on Friday night. He had three goals and three assists during the streak. His goal on Saturday gave him seven points in his last seven games.

- Iowa Stars goalie Mike Smith has been reassigned by Dallas to the Canadian National Team for the upcoming Lotos Cup in Slovakia. A native of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, he departs Iowa with a 6-8-1 record, a 2.50 Goals Against Average and a .915 Save Percentage. Smith ranks 8th overall in the American Hockey League with that 2.50 GAA.

- Iowa is 6-2-0-1, including 3-1-0-1 at home, when they play on Saturday night.

- The Stars have notched a power-play goal in 18 of their 25 games, tallying 26 total power-play goals.

LOOKING BACK AT WEEK 10: 1 WIN, 1 LOSS, 1 OVERTIME LOSS

4-3 OT LOSS - TUES., DEC. 6 vs. MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS - WELLS FARGO ARENA ATT: 3,768

Teams Goals/Period Goaltenders Saves/Shots Power Plays PIM's

IOWA 1 2 0 0 - 3 Dan Ellis 36/40 0-6 22

Milwaukee 0 1 2 1 - 4 Pekka Rinne 26/29 2-10 14

GOALS: IOW: Loui Eriksson, Mathias Tjarnqvist, Toby Petersen

MIL: 2 Jordin Tootoo, Darren Haydar, Shea Weber

NOTES: The Iowa Stars suffered a 4-3 overtime loss Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Arena. The Stars cracked the scoreboard mid-way through the first period when Loui Eriksson scored his fifth goal of the season at 10:36. At 9:02 of the second frame, Mathias Tjarnqvist recorded his fifth goal in as many games to give Iowa a 2-0 lead, but Milwaukee was able to notch two in the third to force overtime. The overtime loss was the first time the Stars have lost a game when they lead after two periods: 5-0-1.

2-1 LOSS - FRI., DEC. 9 vs. SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE - WELLS FARGO ARENA ATT: 4,032

Teams Goals per Period Goaltenders Saves/Shots Power Plays PIM's

IOWA 0 0 1 - 1 Mike Smith 19/21 1-7 14

San Antonio 0 1 1 - 2 Brian Boucher 34/35 2-6 16

GOALS: IOW: David Oliver

SAN: Tim Jackman, Pascal Rheuame

NOTES: The Iowa Stars dropped a 2-1 decision to the San Antonio Rampage Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena. The loss was Iowa's first loss in regulation in the last three games. Winger David Oliver scored the lone goal for Iowa. San Antonio goalie Brian Boucher faced 35 shots, including 27 over the first two periods. Iowa goalie Mike Smith faced 21 shots in the losing effort. Toby Petersen had his franchise-high five game point-streak snapped. He had three goals and three assist during that span.

3-2 WIN - SAT., DEC. 10 vs. CHICAGO WOLVES - WELLS FARGO ARENA ATT: 6,242

Teams Goals per Period Goaltenders Saves/Shots Power Plays PIM's

IOWA 0 2 0 0 1 - 3 Dan Ellis 40/42 1-11 26

Chicago 1 0 1 0 0 - 2 Tuomas Tarkki 21/23 0-11 28

GOALS: IOW: Toby Petersen, Yan Stastny - Shootout Goals: Vojtech Polak , Yan Stastny

CHI: Billy Tibbetts, Colin Stuart - Shootout Goals: Kevin Doell

NOTES: The Iowa Stars and their ‘Saturday night fever' prevailed this past Saturday night when they defeated the visiting Chicago Wolves 3-2 in a shootout. Iowa now has a 6-2-0-1 record on Saturday nights. The Iowa Stars spotted the Wolves a 1-0 lead when their second shot of the game sailed past Iowa Stars goalie Dan Ellis just :45 seconds into the first period. Toby Petersen earned his seventh point in as many games when he tied the score up at one at 10:33 of the second period. It was his team leading ninth goal of the season. Exactly four minutes later, Yan Stastny gave the Stars a 2-1 lead when he jammed a lose puck past Chicago goalie, Tuomas Tarkki. Colin Stuart tied the score at two at 1:53 of the third period and eventually sent the game into overtime and the eventual shootout. After Ellis allowed the first goal, he went on to deny the remaining four shooters. Vojtech Polak and Yan Stastny both scored for Iowa. Ellis faced 42 shots, making 40 saves. Tarkki faced 23 shots, making 21 saves.



American Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2005


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