Stars shine in shootout, defeat Peoria, 4-3

March 27, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa Stars and the Peoria Rivermen met for the 10th and final time during the Regular Season on Tuesday evening at Wells Fargo Arena. With the help of a late power-play goal and a shootout, the Iowa Stars defeated Peoria 4-3. The win keeps Iowa two points ahead of Peoria for the fourth playoff spot in the West Division.

The Stars and Rivermen skated a physical first half of the opening period with Peoria registering the only three shots of the period for the first 12 minutes of the game. One of those shots came on a breakaway that Iowa netminder Dan Ellis snuffed-out at the 6:16 mark. Iowa then rattled-off the next eight shots of the period. Both teams would add another to their respective shot totals by period's end.

Just over thirty seconds into the middle stanza, the Iowa Stars grabbed the game's first goal. Rookie Left Wing Francis Wathier cut in front of the net from the right corner and was able to put the puck past Peoria netminder Chris Beckford-Tseu :36 seconds into the period. Vojtech Polak and Janos Vas grabbed the assists. Exactly 2:30 later, the Rivermen's Ryan MacMurchy evened the score at one. MacMurchy's shot deflected off of rookie Forward Kelly Czuy's stick as he went to lay the hit on MacMurchy. Beckford-Tseu kept the game tied at one when he flashed the glove on a Scott May shot from the left circle late in the period.

Iowa regained the lead early in the third period with a blast from the blueline. After a flurry of shots by Iowa on the Peoria goal, Defenseman Mark Ardelan kept a clearing attempt in the zone and fired a slap-shot on goal. Forward Scott May tipped Ardelan's shot past the goaltender at 2:50. The Rivermen tied the game right back up at three before the Public Address Announcer could announce Iowa's goal. Rookie Defenseman Steve Wagner collected a rolling puck at the top of the slot and fired a shot past Dan Ellis :13 seconds later. The Rivermen would take the lead shortly before the midway point of the third period. Jamie Rivers fired a long pass to Trent Whitfield at the Iowa blueline. Whitfield appeared to be offside, but was allowed to skate in on Ellis for a between the legs goal and a 3-2 Peoria lead. With the Iowa netminder on the bench in favor of the extra attacker, the Stars worked the power-play to perfection. Konstantin Pushkarev took a pass down low from Mark Ardelan, skated to the middle of the right circle and roofed a shot to send the game to overtime.

The overtime period saw Iowa out-shoot the Rivermen, nine to four, but neither team could score. A shootout would decide which team would leave Wells Fargo Arena with the win.

Tied at one after five rounds, tonight's shootout would need eight rounds. Mark Ardelan and Vojtech Polak scored for Iowa, with Polak's goal being the deciding goal.

Iowa Goaltender Dan Ellis stopped 22 of 26 in game action and stopped seven of eight shootout attempts. With a win on Tuesday, Ellis now holds the record for most wins in a single season. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native now has 26 wins on the season.

Shots: IOWA: 36; PEORIA: 26 Game Sheet - http://stats.theahl.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=1003174

IOWA STARS INFO: The Stars welcome the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights to Wells Fargo Arena on Friday, March 30th. Game time is 7:00 PM. The first 1,500 kids, 14 and under, will receive a FREE backpack courtesy of inPlay. Each backpack will contain a free play card from inPlay! Iowa then travels to Milwaukee to play the Admirals on Saturday night. The Stars return to Des Moines for a Sunday, April 1st contest against Manitoba at 5:00 PM for a Family Feast at the Stars: Four Tickets Four Hot Dogs, Four Sodas for just $64! - April Fools Day "Game of Mistakes!" - Each fan will be asked to point out the 'mistakes' and turn their sheet into the CSB. Winners will win various prizes, including a trip to Las Vegas compliments of Allegiant Air! 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.



American Hockey League Stories from March 27, 2007


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