Stars Skate Past Opponents

December 3, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


THE STARS TELESCOPE - A LOOK AHEAD

Tue, Dec. 4 STARS vs. Manitoba Moose

Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA

7:07p.m. CST

Broadcasts: Jim Erickson online and on B2 Video at iowastarshockey.com. In-arena broadcast on 104.7 FM.

The Stars host the Moose for the second time in four days after shutting them out 4-0 on Friday at Wells Fargo Arena. Following that game, both teams picked up wins on Saturday. The Stars extended their winning streak to three with a 3-2 win over the AHL's top club, the Chicago Wolves, in Rosemount, Illinois while the Moose traveled to Quad City and defeated the Flames 3-2. The Moose enter the week with a 13-7-2-0 record and 28 points, good for second place in the North Division. The Stars' recent upswing has them in sole possession of fourth place in the West Division with 25 points and a 12-10-1-0 record. The win last Friday improved the Stars' all-time record versus Manitoba to 3-5-0-1 and 3-1-0-1 at Wells Fargo. Tuesday's game will be the final regular season visit to Des Moines for the Moose. The Stars will be in Winnipeg in mid-February for their only visit of 2007-2008 as they play a pair of games.

Sat, Dec. 8 and Sun, Dec.9 STARS at San Antonio Rampage

A.T. & T. Center, San Antonio, TX

7:00 p.m. CST/5:00 p.m. CST

Broadcasts: Jim Erickson online and on B2 Video at iowastarshockey.com.

The Stars travel to the home of the Alamo for the first time since opening the season at the A.T.&T. Center on October 6. The Rampage scored four goals in the second period en route to a 7-1 win over the Stars that evening. Since that game, the Stars have faced the Rampage three times at Wells Fargo Arena, going 1-1-1-0. San Antonio won 4-1 on October 23 and 4-3 in overtime on November 13. Sandwiched in the middle of those games was a Stars 3-1 win on November 10. The Stars' 1-2-1-0 mark against the Rampage through the first four of the eight scheduled meetings this season, gives them a 14-8-1-1 overall record in the all-time series. Their record in San Antonio is 8-2-0-1. The Rampage come into this week holding onto second place in the West Division with a 13-8-1-3 record and 30 points, five points back of division leading Chicago. The Rampage have played four more games than the Wolves, but are also one of three teams that have defeated them in regulation this season, with the Stars (on Saturday) and Peoria being the others. The Rampage have alternated wins and losses in the last six games, going 3-3-0-0. Center Joe Perrault leads the Rampage entering this week with 24 points, 12 goals and 12 assists. Joey Tenute paces the team with 13 goals while Matt Murley leads them with 14 helpers. Josh Tordjman, the AHL's October Goalie of the Month, has been the main guy between the pipes, seeing action in 13 games, going 8-2-1 with a 3.10 GAA and an .899 save percentage. Like the Stars, the Rampage have used four different goaltenders this season.

STARS RECAP

Tuesday, November 27

Stars 3 Houston 2 at Wells Fargo Arena

Bryce Lampman scored the game-winning goal, his first as a Star, 26 seconds into the third period as the Stars defeated the Houston Aeros for the second time in two meetings this season 3-2 on Tuesday night. Stars goalie Tobias Stephan stopped 24 of 26 shots to secure his sixth win of the season. Janos Vas gave the Stars a 1-0 lead by redirecting Marius Holtet's power play slapshot at 11:24 of the first period. After the Aeros had claimed a 2-1 lead, James Neal scored another power play goal, stuffing the puck past Houston netminder Barry Brust with just one-tenth of a second remaining in the second period to tie the game at two. Lampan's game-winner came from a left wing slap shot after he had intercepted a rink-wide pass in the Aeros zone. Houston outshot the Stars 26-23 for the game, but were held to just three shots on net in the third period.

Friday, November 30

Stars 4 Manitoba 0 at Wells Fargo Arena

Goalie Tobias Stephan made 21 saves while picking up his third career shut out and defenseman Chris Lee scored twice to lead the Stars to a 4-0 victory Friday night over the Moose in Des Moines. The shutout was also Stephan's and the Stars' second of the season. Janos Vas and Toby Petersen scored their 9th and 12th goals, respectively, while Marty Sertich added two assists as the Stars won their second home game of the week. The Stars outshot the Moose 32-10 in the first two periods and 41-21 for the game. The Stars were perfect on the penalty kill for the second consecutive game, holding the Moose scoreless on 7 power play chances while going 1 for 6 themselves. The game was the first of four meetings between the clubs this season.

Saturday, December 1

Stars 3 Chicago 2 at Chicago

Toby Petersen scored a goal and added two assists to go with Janos Vas' game winner as the Iowa Stars won their third straight game 3-2 over the top team in the AHL, the Chicago Wolves, Saturday night in Chicago. It was just the third regulation loss of the season for the Wolves as the Stars evened the season series at a win apiece. For the second straight night, the Stars outplayed and outshot their opponent. The Stars finished the game with a 34-23 shots advantage as they battled back from deficits of 1-0 and 2-1. Junior Lessard put the Stars on the board in the second period with his seventh goal of the season. Petersen and Vas tallied their 13th and 10th goals of the season, respectively, in the third period. Vas' clinching goal, which extended his goal streak to three games, came on the power play after the Stars were held scoreless in their first nine power play opportunities. They finished one for 10 while Chicago was two of six. Tobias Stephan stopped 21 Chicago shots to pick up his eighth win of the season and improve his career record to 2-4-0 versus the Wolves. In the other net, the Stars defeated Wolves goaltender Fred Brathwaite for the first time in seven career games as he stopped 31 of 34 shots.

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

STARS PROMOTIONS/APPEARANCES:

Þ Tuesday, Dec. 4th - Wells Fargo Appreciation Night.

Þ Saturday, Dec. 15th - Pucks for Pups. Bring your dog to the game. First 100 dogs receive a free bandana.

Þ Saturday, Dec. 15th - Harvest and Winter Market. Visit Nolan Plaza for the Winter Farmers market and test out your slapshot

Þ Friday, Dec. 28th - Learn to Skate at Wells Fargo Arena. For Children 12 and under. $30 gets you skating lessons and two tickets to that Friday's game vs. The Peoria Rivermen.



American Hockey League Stories from December 3, 2007


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