Spoiler Alert! Iowa Chops take 2 points, Beat Chicago 2:1

Last night at the Allstate in a close hard fought game the Iowa Chops defeated the Chicago Wolves 2:1 making the role of spoiler far more likely for the newly christened Chops. As of last nights games the standings are Milwaukee still running away with first place, 89 points, Houston with 73, Hogs 70, Chicago 69 and the Rivermen in fourth with 68. All these teams have crowded schedules this weekend, come Monday morning the picture could look quite different for one or more of these organizations.

The game it's self was fast paced with referee Terry Koharasky calling a minimum of penalties for each side. Several times during the night both goalies were joined in the net by several players of each uniform yet only once was goalie interference called. Iowa goals were scored at 16:23 By Brendan Michaelson, and at 10:44 in the third by Ryan Dingle with an assist by ex wolf Chad Pinchaud. The sole Wolves goal notched during the second period was scored by Riley Holzapfel , Alex Brooks and Joe Moztko were credited with assists and a pretty thing it was too. Chops nettie David LeNeveau never had a chance to stop that bullet.

In the revolving door Chad Denny and Tomas Popsil has been riding the Georgia shuttle in the last week with both listed as healthy scratches last night. Brett Sterling is back and skating well after being out with a reported injured hand and Stevie Martins is also being iced. Welcome back guys.

Here are some images of the game.





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Wolves Split Weekend series in Iowa, Tale of Three Goalies.

Halloween night the Wolves found themselves deep in the Iowa cornfields facing the rechristened Iowa Chops, the jokes about there name quickly stopped as the farm boys beat the Wolves 2: 1 in their first meeting of the season. Basic stats for the game are SOG for each team 28, PIMs Iowa 6 min/4 inf, Chicago 12 min/6 inf.


Saturday morning the Wolves woke with wishes for a change in fortune, they got what they wanted, goalie Ondrej Pavelec was called up to Atlanta to back strengthen the bench while Kari Lethenon recovers from a rumored "illness". Chicago's back up goalie Dan Turple would be between the pipes in Iowa for the night.

The bottom line is that in his first outing as a Wolves goalie Dan Turple did well, turning away 21 SOG, good enough for a 3:1 victory. Tonight back home in Rosemont the decision will be by Coach Granato to start Robert Gherson , last years back up or stick with Turple's hot hand.

Dan Turple has been with the Atlanta system for three years spending most of his time as the primary goalie with the Wolves farm team in Georgia. His previous service with the Wolves was as a back up to Fred Brathwaite in 2007 for the Hamilton series where although dressed did not see ice time.

Robert Gherson was a diamond in the rough that seemed to come out of nowhere last year in most fans eyes. He played a few games, always dressed and was a consistent positive force on the team. You could see him on the bench talking to other players. At the end of each game Gherson was shaking hands and high fiveing each player at the tunnel. Although not often on the ice his value on the team seemed to be else where and obvious. It will be interesting to see how his star rises with Pavelec out of town.
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