Iowa Stars Suffer 2-1 Defeat to Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights in Final Regular Season Matchup - AHL

To advertise click here.

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com -

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Stars welcomed the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights to Wells Fargo Arena for the final time during the Regular Season on Tuesday evening. The Knights stingy defense lived-up to their billing, blocking several shots and ultimately defeating the Stars, 2-1. Omaha has allowed the second lowest goals against in the AHL. Tuesday’s loss and a win by Peoria in Houston, brought Peoria to within four of the Stars for the fourth playoff spot in the West Division.

The Stars and Knights played a physical first period, but both teams were unable to really mount any type of offense in the opening 20 minutes. The Knights, idle since Saturday, fired eight shots on goal, while Iowa had just three official shots.

Just as many fans were returning to the seats for the start of the second period, the Omaha Knights staked themselves to a 1-0 lead. Right Wing and second-year pro, Tomi Maki gave the visiting Knights the 1-0 lead with his fourth goal of the season just :13 seconds into the middle stanza. The Knights grabbed a 2-0 lead at the 8:56 mark. Forward Carsen Germyn rifled a shot that caught Iowa netminder Dan Ellis up around the face area and caromed right to a waiting Chris Chucko. Chucko collected the puck and slid it through the five-hole of Ellis for the 2-0 lead. At that point, Iowa Head Coach Dave Allison replaced Ellis with Goaltender Tobias Stephan. Stephan preserved the 2-0 deficit when he made a spectacular glove save on a Tomi Maki back-hand shot at the 13:04 mark.

Iowa came out firing in the third period, but was able to solve Omaha netminder Curtis McElhinney only once. Rookie Forward Paul Szczechura spoiled McElhinney’s bid for a shutout at 11:24. Szczechura, camped-out in front of the Omaha net and redirected a shot from Junior Lessard. Lessard had his chance to even the game at two with a one-time shot from the top of the slot, but Omaha’s stingy netminding and defense held their ground.

Ellis finished with 11 saves on 13 shots and Stephan had 12 saves on 12 shots.

Shots: IOWA: 27; OMAHA: 25