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Stars shine through on stormy night

April 11, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


Iowa One Point From Clinching Playoff Spot

DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa Stars and Chicago Wolves met for the third time in four nights and for the 10th and final time this season on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Arena. With a 5-4 overtime victory over the Wolves, the Stars pushed their Magic Number to one point. Iowa can secure a spot in the 2006 Calder Cup Playoffs with any combination of one point in their next three games.

The Wolves jumped out to the early 1-0 lead when Left Wing Karl Stewart scored a short-handed goal at 12:08 of the first period. The goal was his 20th of the season and the 12th time Iowa has allowed a shorthanded goal this season. Chicago finished the period with 11 shots in the period, while Iowa had five.

Iowa's Krys Barch breathed a little life into his team when he battled Chicago's Brian Sipotz right on top of Iowa's center ice logo. Fifty-seven seconds later, Loui Eriksson evened the score at one when he potted his team-leading 28th of the season. Eriksson's goal came right at the top of Chicago goaltender Tuomas Tarki's crease. Streaking down the left wall, David Oliver entered the Chicago zone and fired a high wrist-shot on goal that broke-off Tarki's glove into the net for a 2-1 lead. The Wolves evened the score when Travis Roche received a pass from behind his own goal line and skated in on Mike Smith and scored with :05 left in the middle frame. The play was a rather weird one of sorts as many of the Stars players were tangled-up in what they believed was a fight at center ice, however, the whistle was not blown and Roche was able to skate in on Smith for the goal.

At the 5:19 of the third period, Mario Scalzo's shot deflected off of Oliver and into the net. Oliver was credited with his 21st of the season. Shortly thereafter, Junior Lessard raced down the left wall and cut to the middle of the ice. He then shoveled a one-handed back-hand shot past Tarki for a two goal lead. The Wolves then responded with two quick goals at the 14:23 and 15:01 marks of the third period to tie the game.

In overtime, Vojtech Polak chipped the puck up the boards to a speedy Toby Petersen. Petersen raced-in on the Chicago goal. Petersen's goal tickled the twine with 17.6 seconds left in overtime and sent the boisterous Iowa fans home happy.

Goalie Mike Smith faced 39 shots in the win.

Attendance: 4,542 Shots: IOWA: 32; CHICAGO: 39 Power-play chances: IOWA: 1 for 7; CHICAGO: 1 for 3

STARS NEXT GAMES: The Iowa Stars travel to Peoria for a game on Friday night, and then wrap-up the Regular Season on Saturday, April 15th at 7:05 PM against Peoria and on Sunday the 16th at 5:05 PM versus the Houston Aeros. Saturday's game is Fan Appreciation Night. The Stars will be giving away four trips to Las Vegas courtesy of Allegiant Air and will also feature Shirts-off-our-back! 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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