Stars win another road game

February 23, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


HOUSTON, TX - The Iowa Stars and the Houston Aeros met for the second consecutive night on Friday evening in Downtown Houston, Texas. Going to a shootout, the Iowa Stars pushed their road winning-streak to five games with a 3-2 win over the Aeros. The win improved Iowa's road record to 18-9-1-0, while tying a franchise record for longest road winning-streak. The previous mark was set between March 31st and April 8th of the 2005-06 season.

Despite out-shooting the Iowa Stars 14 to six in the first period, the two teams skated a scoreless first period. Going back to the third period of last night's game, Iowa netminder Dan Ellis has stopped 28 of 28 Houston shots.

Acquired by the Dallas Stars and loaned to Iowa early Friday, newcomer Shane Endicott made himself an immediate welcomed addition to his teammates. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native scored his first goal in an Iowa uniform and his third of the season just 1:01 into the second period. Right Wing Jesse Bennefield grabbed the lone assist. Houston's Mattias Weinhandl evened the scored at one when his shot snuck past Ellis on the short-side at the 7:44 mark. Iowa out-shot Houston 13 to nine in the period.

Splitting the two Houston Defensemen and swiping at the bouncing puck with one hand, Iowa rookie Chris Conner gave the Stars a 2-1 lead when his one-handed shot slipped past Houston goalie Dieter Kochan early in the third period. The Stars fourth power-play goal in their last two games came at the 2:29 mark and was assisted by Vojtech Polak and Marty Wilford. Conner now has four goals in his last four games since returning from an injury. Less than thirty seconds after Houston's Danny Irmen hit the post on a shorthanded breakaway, Bryan Lundbohm evened the score at two with a shorthanded tally at the 6:49 mark. The period ended with the score tied at two, sending the game into a five-minute sudden-death overtime period.

Both teams had several scoring opportunities in the fast-paced overtime period, including a onetime slap-shot by Mario Scalzo at the top of the Houston slot. Dan Ellis helped send the game to the shootout when he stopped a point-blank shot on Curtis Murphy with :07 seconds left in the overtime.

Mark Ardelan and Junior Lessard registered shootout goals, and that was all the Stars needed as Dan Ellis denied four of five Houston shooters in the shootout.

Ellis was named the Number One Star of the Game, stopping 38 of 40 shots, and earning his 18th win of the season.

Shots: IOWA: 36; HOUSTON: 40;

Game Sheet - http://stats.theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1002984

IOWA STARS INFO: The Stars travel across Texas to play Sunday/Tuesday games in San Antonio against the Rampage. Iowa then returns home for two games: Thursday, March 1st against the Peoria Rivermen and Saturday, March 3rd against the San Antonio Rampage. The Hobey Baker Award, awarded annually to College Hockey's Top Player, will be on hand Thursday night. The Stars currently boast two former Hobey Baker Award Winners: Junior Lessard (2004) and Marty Sertich (2005). Thursday is also a 4 for $40 Night. Purchase four $21 tickets for just $40. Saturday night is Krys Barch Bobblehead Night. The first 3,500 fans will receive a bobblehead of Iowa Stars/current Dallas Stars Forward Krys Barch. It is also Boy Scout Night. Contact the Stars about bringing your troop to the game. 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 February 23, 2007


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