Stars win fifth straight

Published on December 30, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa Stars and the Milwaukee Admirals met at Wells Fargo Arena in American Hockey League (AHL) action on Saturday evening. For the second time in nine days, the Iowa Stars defeated the Admirals on Wells Fargo Arena ice, this time by the score of 3-2. The victory pushed Iowa's recent winning-streak to five games overall and third straight at home.

The Stars grabbed the early 1-0 lead in the game when rookie centerman Marty Sertich stole the puck at the blueline, and fired a shot that went wide of the Milwaukee net. Yared Hagos collected the puck in the left corner and centered it to a waiting Sertich low in the slot. Sertich's shot found the back of the net via the five-hole of Karl Goehring at the 3:46 mark. Iowa staked themselves to a 2-0 lead just under 12 minutes later. Again, off a stolen puck at the Milwaukee blueline, Francis Wathier knocked the puck to Sertich. Sertich, in turn, setup a great give-and-go saucer-pass back to Wathier, who redirected the puck past Goehring for the two-goal lead. It was Wathier's second goal in as many nights. Iowa netminder Dan Ellis helped maintain the 2-0 lead when he made a great save off a one-time shot from Milwaukee's Jason Guerriero with five minutes left in the period.

Iowa carried over their momentum from the first period and maintained the pressure early in the second period. With several players fighting for positioning in front of the Milwaukee net, Iowa's Joel Lundqvist spotted the Stars a 3-0 lead at the 6:29 mark of the second period. Rookie Mark Fistric and Janos Vas were credited with the assists. For Lundqvist, it pushed his points-streak to five games, six goals and two assists. Milwaukee's Ramzi Abid spoiled Ellis' shutout bid at the 12:32 mark. Abid was able to roof his shot over a fallen Dan Ellis.

Milwaukee pulled within one, making it 3-2 just 3:01 into the third period. Rich Peverley took a feed from Kim Staal and broke in all alone on Ellis and slid the puck between Ellis' legs. The goal was the result of a turnover in the neutral zone. Though the play became a bit chippy in the final minutes, that was as close as the Admirals would get as Iowa's defense and goaltending closed the door on any hopes of a Milwaukee tying goal.

Iowa Stars Goaltender Dan Ellis faced 21 shots in the win. Ellis has now been victorious in his last four games, improving his record to 11-8-0 on the season. He has also been named a "Star of the Game" in each of his last three starts.

IOWA STARS INFO: New Year's Eve festivities continue at Wells Fargo Arena when the Stars host the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights again on New Year's Eve, Sunday, December 31st. The New Year's Eve game will have a special 7:30 PM start time. The world famous ZOOperstars will be on hand to entertain fans throughout the game. Special reduced tickets for the New Year's Eve game will be available to purchase at the Stars box office for just $5.00 for all children who attend the alcohol-free GuideOne ImaginEve event at Hy-Vee Hall from 2 - 6:30 PM! Iowa will also wear their third jerseys again that night. 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.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2006


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