Well we can say tonight definitely wasn't a boring game, as I was sort of expecting after Wednesday's performance. Although the same effort wasn't given throughout the whole 60 minutes, they came out seeming like a playoff team.
First goal came just 20 seconds in the game. Alex Brooks made a dump in, which Sterling got to and went driving to the net. Although Sterling's shot was stopped, the puck laid loose and Matt Anderson was able to find it and put it in the net. This seemed like a good beginning, and Brett Sterling especially, came out hungry for the puck. This really wasn't a good stop LeNeveu's part, for as the puck laid next to him, he just sat there and didn't look around for it. Seemed to just assume it was under him, although the whistle never went off.
Joey Crabb came in only 19 seconds later notching the Wolves' second goal of the game. Driving along the left wing boards, Crabb took a sharp angle shot on the near side of LeNeveu and it snuck behind him. Usual good work ethic shown by Crabb and it seemed like LeNeveu probably should of had that, but it bounced off behind him.
Three goals in less than 2 minutes, and within 1:36 of each other was how the third goal came about. Clay Wilson had nice puck control in the offensive zone and with the puck in the crease, Brett Sterling is able to bank it in behind the newly assigned Levasseur.
The Wolves were able to get their final goal of the first period when Joey Crabb, getting his second of the game, redirects the puck which just barely gets behind the goal line. 13: 41 in the first, Wolves were up 4-0.
Iowa didn't let themselves go totally try in the first, though, and are able to get one goal with 4:12 left in the first frame.. Kontiola, using his long reach, stretches his stick across the goal and banks the puck in on the left side of Pavelec, ending the first period with the Wolves leading 4-1.
Wolves come out strong again when the second period comes along. 36 seconds into the second, Riley Holzapfel tips the puck out in front of Levasseur who makes the stop. However, Machacek is able to get to the puck and poke it in.
After taking a commanding 5-1 lead, the Chops have a good shift out on the ice. Iowa is able to get their second goal of the game when Salcido gets a long shot past traffic 11:17 into the second. With numerous bodies in front of the net, Pavelec did not see the puck coming at all.
Then ten minutes later with 17 seconds left in the second period, the Chops get another good shift out that really wears down our D. Bodie with the puck is able to sneak it barely inbetween the post and Pavelec's stretching glove.
Once the third period arrives, the Chops take it strong onto the ice. The Wolves find it hard to set up in the offensive zone and Iowa maintains pressure. The Wolves while on a power play loose puck posession and Banes speeds through center ice putting it pst Pavs at 10:38. While the Chops were short-handed as the rush was made down the ice, the penalty had just ended before the puck found the back of the net. With the score at 5-4, the Wolves had to step up their game.
While Iowa had the ice tilted in their favor for mostly the rest of the third, the Wolves were able to bank in two empty net goals. The first happened when Brett Sterling chipped out a loose puck against the boards to Steve Martins who sent it down the ice into the empty net. Following that, Sterling worked against a few chops players along the right wing boards in the offensive zone and was able to get the puck and find the net.
Seeing eleven goals during sixty minutes of play is something that we haven't seen in quite some time, along with the Wolves themselves scoring 7 goals for the first time this season.
Last game Wolves scored 6 goals: December 30th
Last game Wolves scored 5 goals: November 19th
So it's been a while since even seeing 5 or 6 goals scored in a game. Glad to see the offense finally get cooking tonight! Besides a not so great third period, it was an impressive first forty minutes. The effort was definitely showing and the guys were very offensively minded.
Lavallee; As all season, a very offensive game was brought by him tonight. He put himself in the right positions and was able to get to loose pucks, but unfortunately was unable to capitalize on any of those situations. Also sporting a new buzz cut.
Crabb; Although he doesn't have the same jump as he did his first week or so when he returned from Atlanta, he had a strong game as he always. He was able to work the boards, find loose pucks, and tonight, get those pucks in the net.
Sterling; Three goals in three games since coming back from a broken finger, and he surely hasn't lost his great momentum. He's fun to watch on the ice because of the worth ethic that he always brings and he offensive attitude. As he said during Billy's New Year Resolutions, "I don't think I have many hookings this year. No, usually roughings. Well, I try to be tough."
Kulda; Having a couple poor plays here and there, tonight was a great game for him. Even during one of his shifts during the third period, he was playing an offensive game and getting the puck to the net plenty of times.
Motzko; A goal scorer, but that's pretty much all. And those goals come by planting himself somewhere and hoping the puck finds his stick. Lately though, and especially tonight, he was puck-handling quite well and giving a solid effort which was nice to see for a change.
Pavelec; Let four goals slip by him, but otherwise made some spectacular saves! Beat a bunch of guys with the glove and had the butterfly working for him well.
Now during the third, what happened with the glass? I mean that's one way to pass 20 minutes if you want. And you could just tell Pavs, Lavallee, and Sterling were thrilled, with the three leaning up against the net, waiting for the job to get done.
Some other games tonight have had a bit of an effect on our standings. Grand Rapids took a win over Peoria which is very good since Peoria is creeping up extremely close behind us. Quad City also took a win over Houston which is kind of a good thing. Houston still in second, but not getting any more points. But the Flames are only five points behind us now. And unfortunately Rockford took the win against San Antonio putting them a point ahead of us.
Overall, a much better night.
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