The Iowa Chops

Welcome, Matt

2009-01-15T11:27:00.000-08:00

BY MATT VEVODA
AnaheimDucks.com

The good news was, he had no time to get nervous.

Matt Beleskey arrived at Honda Center for his NHL debut Jan. 9 against Tampa Bay with literally only a few minutes to spare before puck drop. After they learned Todd Marchant would not play in that night’s contest with a fractured pinkie, the Ducks made an afternoon phone call to their AHL affiliate in Iowa (a place Anaheim had already plucked away five players this season) to retrieve Beleskey. The 20-year-old had already returned home after a pre-game skate (the Chops were facing Manitoba that night) when he learned that the ice he would play on that night would be in a bigger venue approximately 1,678 miles away.

“It was amazing and pretty hectic,” Beleskey said. “I got the call and had an hour to get to the airport. Then to show up 10 minutes before the game, it was a little crazy.”

Once he quickly slipped on his gear in time to be on the bench for the national anthem, Beleskey went on to play 13:53 against the Lightning. The rookie left wing began the game on a line with Andrew Ebbett and Brendan Morrision, but as Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle tinkered with the combinations in search of scoring, Beleskey found himself beside All-Star Ryan Getzlaf and fellow one-time Chops teammate Drew Miller.

That trio was on the ice when Chris Pronger scored a goal (after Steve Montador had done so 12 seconds earlier) to pull even with the Lightning in the second period. But while the Ducks would go on to lose that game 4-3, the day-long experience for Beleskey etched a memory he will always treasure.

“It was definitely a first game you’ll never forget, that is for sure,” Beleskey said. “It was everything you would think it would be, having Ryan Getzlaf as your center. It’s a pretty good feeling to be able to do that.”

Enjoying a more routine day this past Sunday for his second game against New Jersey, Beleskey said he was “actually a little more nervous” because he had time to think about the game. With Corey Perry returned from a four-game suspension, Beleskey saw time (9:48 overall) on the fourth line (also known as the “energy” line) beside Ryan Carter and George Parros and the Ducks held on for a 4-3 victory over the Devils.

“It’s been a lot of fun just trying to get out there, work hard and do the little things they ask from me,” said Beleskey, who was selected by Anaheim in the fourth round (112th overall pick) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. “It’s a little nerve-wrecking at times, but it’s getting better.”

Following four seasons with the Belleville Bulls (where he amassed 98 goals and 221 points) in the Ontario Hockey League, the 2008-09 season is Beleskey’s first as a professional. Prior to his promotion to the Ducks, Beleskey had totaled 15 points in 18 games with Iowa, leading the Chops in points per game (.83).

“Matt’s a young kid who is in his first year pro and is trying to make a statement,” Ebbett said. “He’s played great down in Iowa and works really hard. He’s got a good shot, a quick release and knows how to shoot the puck.”

Beleskey’s presence in the Ducks lineup brings the number of current players who started the year as Chops to six (Beleskey, Ebbett, Miller, Bobby Ryan, Brett Festerling and Brendan Mikkelson). As each tries to create their own impression on the Ducks and in the league, they are enjoying the luxury of being able to do it together.

“I don’t think any guys down in the American League envisioned them bringing up six guys like that,” Ebbett said. “It’s been wild, but a great opportunity for everybody to get a chance to showcase their skills and hopefully prove that you can stay up here.”

With Todd Marchant projected to be out of action for two weeks with an injured finger, Beleskey should see some action in a handful of games during that span. It’s a nice reward for what was a frenzied start.

“It’s a huge undertaking to grab a guy off an airplane, land him at 6:00 and have him in your lineup at 7:00,” Carlyle said. “I thought he has done fine. He shows that he has the skill set and the ability to skate and bang. He’s surviving.”

Chops moving from Iowa to the Pond and beyond

2009-01-07T12:41:00.000-08:00

In the American Hockey League, it’s not uncommon to see players come and go in a matter of weeks, sometimes days.The Iowa Chops have seen more than a few of their players move back and forth in the four months they’ve been a team, including high-scoring winger Bobby Ryan, defensemen Brett Festerling and Brendan Mikkelson, and forwards Andrew Ebbett and Drew Miller.Goaltender David LeNeveu has been recalled twice and former Iowa Chops forward Joakim Lindstrom was traded by Anaheim to Phoenix and is now a staple along the Coyotes' front line and power play. Brett Festerling’s path to the NHL was anything but easy. The Western Hockey League defenseman went unselected in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, and had to try out for a number of teams. He was offered a tryout contract in Anaheim to show the Ducks what he had to offer.His tryout was a success, and he landed an entry-level NHL contract. Festerling’s impressive play with the Chops early in the 2008-09 season got the attention of the Ducks' front office, who brought him up after just 15 games. He made his NHL debut on Nov. 16, 2008, and has three assists in 21 games with Anaheim. Bobby Ryan’s story has been told before. After lighting it up in Iowa, Ryan was called up to the Ducks and he was immediately placed on the top lines, playing against the Los Angeles Kings. He didn’t record a point that game, but the next game, vs. Washington on Nov. 19, was a different story.Ryan lit the lamp twice and provided an assist to Ryan Getzlaf’s goal. The Capitals took the game, 6-4, but Ryan showed the Ducks that he was capable of putting up points like a seasoned vet. Since being called up, Ryan has made himself a legit candidate for NHL rookie of the year. He has played in 22 games for the Ducks, and has 21 points in that span (seven goals, 14 assists). Brendan Mikkelson has taken more than his share of bumps and bruises on the way to the American Hockey League. The Regina, Sask., native spent his first two years in the WHL with the Portland Winter Hawks, but was dealt to the Vancouver Giants in the 2005-06 season. After an injury-plagued first year in Vancouver, Mikkelson came back strong than ever in 2006-07 and put up 29 points in 69 games to help the Giants win the Memorial Cup.

Andrew Ebbett had 29 points in 28 games for the Chops before netting his first NHL goal on Jan. 2.Mikkelson was a part of the 2005 NHL Draft held in Ottawa. He had decided to stay home and watch it on TV, despite his chances of being picked up first or second round. Mikkelson was pleasantly surprised when he was the 31st pick, interrupting an interview with the first-overall pick.“Sidney Crosby was being interviewed when I got drafted,” Mikkelson said. “They cut out of Crosby’s interview to say I had been picked up. It was kind of like my 15 seconds of fame.”Mikkelson was called up by the Ducks on New Year’s Day and played in his first career NHL game on Jan. 2 vs. Philadelphia. Andrew Ebbett has been scoring points in the AHL like there was no tomorrow, notching 29 points in 28 games. It seemed no surprise that Ebbett was destined to get back in the NHL spotlight, and on Dec. 20, he returned to the Pond in Anaheim. Ebbett got the call from the Ducks when star winger Teemu Selanne suffered a leg injury that would put him out for up to six weeks. Ebbett was given an opportunity to shine in the NHL, and so far, he has been performing well under the circumstances. He scored his first career NHL goal in a 5-4 shootout loss against Philadelphia on Jan. 2, but the goal will surely not be his last. Drew Miller was the latest Iowa Chop to be called up to Anaheim, but it isn’t his first stint with the club. Miller actually has his name etched on the Stanley Cup, as he played Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals against Ottawa in 2007.Miller was leading the Chops in goals this season (16) at the time of his recall. Could Miller be in the line-up still for Anaheim on Feb. 2 when the Ducks take on his brother Ryan Miller’s Buffalo Sabres? You can bet Miller will work hard so he can stay in Anaheim to see that day.

Ducks patient with Ryan

2008-12-20T06:48:00.000-08:00

By DEREK VAN DIEST, SUN MEDIA

Bobby Ryan doesn't want to end up the answer to a sports trivia question.
What player was chosen second to Sidney Crosby in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft?
While Crosby rocketed to superstardom immediately after being selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ryan has yet to live up to his potential.
But the native of Cherry Hill, N.J., is getting there.
Heading into last contest against the Edmonton Oilers, he had 10 points in 14 games.
"Bobby has been very good," said Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle.
"The expectations on him were very high from the standpoint that we thought he would be able to play with (Ryan) Getzlaf and (Corey) Perry. That didn't really pan out.
"But we took another review of it and said when we brought Getzlaf and Perry into the league, they played on the fourth line. They also got second power-play unit time, so maybe we should reassess how we're going to go forward with Bobby Ryan."

SCORING SENSATION

A scoring sensation in junior, Ryan had 37 goals and 64 assists in 62 games as a 17-year-old with the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League.
That summer he was selected by the Ducks ahead of players such as Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, San Jose Sharks winger Devin Setoguchi and Los Angeles Kings centre Anze Kopitar.
Ryan, 21, returned to play another two seasons in Owen Sound, scoring 43 goals and adding 59 assists in 63 games in his final year of junior.
Last season Ryan split his time between the Ducks and their AHL affiliate in Portland, Me., collecting 10 points in 23 games with the Ducks and 49 points in 48 games with the Pirates.
"Being the second pick in that draft is something that's always going to follow me," Ryan said yesterday.
"I don't feel pressure from the coaching staff and the guys in this room. I think everyone in this room will tell you everyone is their own worst critic."
Expected to make the team out of training camp, the Ducks had to send Ryan down to their new AHL affiliate in Iowa due to salary cap issues at the start of the season. It was a tough pill to swallow.
"Absolutely, especially after the summer that I put in and then the team giving me every indication that I wasn't going anywhere," Ryan said.
"But you move on quickly, you go down, you don't sulk, you do what you have to do down there.
"They told me they would find a way to solve things. From what I understand, they were getting close to solving it without (defenceman Francois Beauchemin) going down.
"It's too bad having to come up under that circumstance, but at the same time I felt like I belonged here from the start."
Ryan has four goals and six assists since being called up in mid-November. A roster spot opened up when Beauchemin went down with what could be a season-ending knee injury.
Ryan's currently being used on the fourth line with Ryan Carter and George Parros.
"That's allowed him some freedom," Carlyle said.

NO PRESSURE

"He's doesn't have the pressure of having to go out there and perform and get that big goal for us every night. And he also doesn't have to up against the best checking lines in the NHL, as Getzlaf and Perry do."
The line has been productive of late. Prior to last night, the trio had nine points in their previous five games.
"It's a different role, absolutely," Ryan said. "But it's something you have to embrace, you have to conform because you are in the NHL and you have to do what you are asked to do.
"Whether it's a temporary thing or a mainstay for me in the long run, I don't know. But for now, I feel like I'm somewhere in the grooming process.
"That's how the coach feels it's best for me to come along, so who am I to feel any differently."
The Ducks would like to see Ryan develop into a top-line player, hoping some of his scoring exploits from junior transfer to the NHL level.
The fact he's yet to become a dominant force has brought the Ducks some criticism. Even Oilers president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe used it as ammunition in his public spat with then Ducks general manager Brian Burke this summer.
"All that other stuff that comes up in the media, I will leave it on the backburner and not worry about it," Ryan said.
"Sidney Crosby is an exception; he's been incredible in everything he's done and is obviously great for the game.

Chops' Green has seen the mountaintop

2008-12-20T06:43:00.000-08:00

By ROB GRAY • robgray@dmreg.com • December 20, 2008

As Mark Messier, by then 43 and a six-time Stanley Cup champion, skated to a standing ovation, colleagues tapped their sticks on the ice, the ultimate rink-based round of applause.

The historic moment: Messier's last NHL game, March 31, 2004, capping one of pro hockey's most decorated careers.

The site: Manhattan's sports mecca, Madison Square Garden.
One of the tappers: current Iowa Chops forward Josh Green, who suits up today at Wells Fargo Arena for a 7 p.m. American Hockey League divisional game against Peoria.

"I was just happy to be in the lineup that night playing," recalled Green, who has played for seven NHL teams and has eight goals and 11 assists this season. "Just to be involved in that, being a part of it and sitting across from him was pretty cool."

Green, taken by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round of the 1996 NHL draft, has had a pretty "cool" career, too.

In 322 NHL games, he's notched 35 goals and 39 assists, but hasn't become a fixture at any of his top-level stops.

It's a well-traveled way of life that the 31-year-old Camrose, Alberta, native has come to accept.

"I think early on it was tough for me because I didn't envision my career going that way - bouncing from team to team, going up and down," said the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Green.

"You just kind of take it as it goes and wherever you are, you try to build some roots, make some friends and play as hard as you can. Kind of treat it like a job that way - 'Where are they sending me now?' "

That's Des Moines and the Chops, of course.

"We play in a great city and a great facility," Green said. "A lot of the guys live out in West Des Moines - especially guys who have wives or girlfriends. It's a nice, clean, safe area, so I was happy about that. Keep the wife happy at home, you'll be happy at the rink."

Green is pleased with his team's performance so far - the Chops entered Friday with a 15-9-1-2 mark - but hopes another big push comes soon in the stacked West Division.

"We're starting to get into the dog days now, December, January, February," Green said. "The teams that are contenders try to separate themselves from the pack, and if you fall into a lull you find yourself at the bottom very fast."

Iowa coach Gord Dineen called Green "the consummate professional," a profile in stability and work ethic.

"He rubs off on the younger guys," Dineen said. "They see what he does and the way he approaches it and that's huge. He's still got ambition to play in the NHL, which he should. He's got every capability of being there."

Proof of that resides in both the present and the past.

That night at Madison Square Garden, Green said, Messier presented a signed stick to each player, including him.

Green also scored that night, giving him another treasured memento from a game he won't forget.

"I took the game sheet and I have it framed at home," he said.

A Rivermen reunion? Chopped

2008-12-20T06:28:00.000-08:00

Thanks to 23 saves from JP Levasseur and goals from Josh Green and Francis Wathier, the Chops broke out of their three-game skid with a 2-1 win in Peoria on Friday night. The 1st period was scoreless thanks in large part to save big saves from Chops goaltender JP Levasseur and some good penalty killing from Iowa, who outshot the Rivermen 10-8 in the scoreless 1st period. The 2nd period began with more back and forth action and some more saves from Levasseur and Rivermen goaltender Chris Holt, who denied both Josh Green and Drew Miller on seperate breakaways. However, Miller and Green would have their revenge as the Chops scored their first goal of the night late in the period. Andrew Thomas fed Drew Miller, who skated the puck around the back of the net, into the high slot and wristed a shot in on Holt. Holt made the original save, but the rebound went right to Green in the slot who potted one over the shoulder of Holt for a 1-0 Chops lead. The 3rd period period was the most exciting of the game, as the Iowa Chops went up 2-0 thanks to a nice individual effort from Ryan Dingle who was stopped by Holt from a shot from the side, but Holt's rebound sat in front of him and a diving Dingle chipped the puck out in the high slot for a streaking Francis Wathier, who touched home a shot past Holt for a 2-1 lead. Peoria would finally answer after a couple more brilliant saves from Levasseur Steve Wagner found a rebound in the high slot and fired home the first Rivermen goal of the game. The rest of the way out was more defensive brilliance from the Chops, who had to spend the last minute with an extra Peoria attacker on the ice. The Chops now return home to the Wells Fargo Arena for the tail-end of the home and home series against the Rivermen. Face-off time Saturday is 7:05pm. AND

FOR ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW

PEORIA —

It looked good on paper.

Chris Conner, back from the Dallas Stars. Jonas Junland and Cam Paddock, back from the St. Louis Blues. Happy reunion.

But the Iowa Chops, playing without their top goaltender and top forward, spoiled the party Friday, beating the offensively challenged Peoria Rivermen 2-1 before 3,459 at Carver Arena.

Rivermen defenseman Steve Wagner scored Peoria's lone goal, with under six minutes left.

The Rivermen have eight goals in their last five games. Six of those are from defensemen. In fact six of the last seven goals the team has scored are from its blueline unit.

'We had some opportunities,' Wagner said. 'Our goaltending, it was better than good enough. We just have to put the puck in the net. We have guys who've been away from the team for 15 games, travel all day to get back here, and it's like starting over with the first game of the year together.'

But they also have guys who have been here, and clearly are slumping. Rivermen right wing Steve Regier stretched his streak to nine games without a goal — seven since returning from a Blues call-up.

Center Nicholas Drazenovic logged his seventh consecutive game without a goal, and has one in his last 11 games.

Key forward Julian Talbot was held without a shot, and has just just eight chances in his last seven games.

'I felt comfortable, but in those first two periods I was definitely tired,' said Conner, who spent eight hours getting to Peoria from Dallas on Friday and arrived just two hours before the game. 'We needed to get some shots to the net, and we needed to stay at the net, not peel off and give up on it.'

Chris Holt made his fourth consecutive start in goal, during which the Rivermen have backed him with just six goals. He was beaten by Iowa backup J-P Levasseur, who lugged an .885 saves percentage into the game.

Peoria got some help in the West Division race, as Chicago, Rockford, Milwaukee and Quad City all lost as well.

The Rivermen had a chance to jump on Iowa early, drawing three power plays in the first period — including two in the game's first four minutes — but could not convert.

Holt robbed left wing Josh Green eight minutes into the second period when he slid across and blocked a backhander off a three-on-one walk-in.

Iowa broke the scoreless tie at 16:44 when Drew Miller's drive from the right circle left a rebound below the left hashmarks, from where Green roofed it into an open left side of the net.

The Chops rolled in, three-on-one against defenseman Justin Fletcher at 6:59 of the third period. But Holt came up big again, smothering Andrew Thomas' redirect bid from between the circles.

Holt misplayed a routine shot by Ryan Dingle from the left circle at 7:58, though, juggling the puck in his midsection and leaving it loose in front of him. Dingle, laying on his stomach near the left post, swatted the puck toward the goalmouth, and Francis Wathier tapped it into an empty net for what proved to be the game-winner.

Wagner ended Levasseur's shutout at 14:39 when he sneaked down to the net and put a second rebound in from the top of the crease to make it 2-1.

RIVER READINGS: The St. Louis Blues sent rookie goaltender Ben Bishop back to the Rivermen late Friday. With Chris Holt making four straight starts here and playing well, bet on Peoria shipping goaltender Marek Schwarz back to ECHL Alaska today so he can get some minutes. ... Rivermen veteran defenseman Andy Wozniewski (upper body injury) scratched from his second straight game. ... Iowa was without top winger Bobby Ryan, on a lengthy call-up to Anaheim.

2008-12-18T11:21:00.000-08:00

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Bakersfield Condors, official ECHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks, announced that G Dave McKee has been recalled to the Iowa Chops (AHL). McKee, 25, has appeared in 12 games with the Condors this season, posting a 4-6-2 record, 3.57 GAA and .894 save percentage. This is the second recall to Iowa for McKee this season, after being initially recalled on Nov. 25 and reassigned back to Bakersfield on Dec. 2.

Iowa Chops players visit Blank Children's Hospital

2008-12-17T09:03:00.001-08:00

On Tuesday, December 16th, eight Iowa Chops players took time out from their day to go and visit sick kids at Blank Children’s Hospital. The line-up of players included forwards Matt Beleskey, Eric Boguniecki, Drew Miller, TJ Trevelyan and Francis Wathier; defenseman Eric Regan, and goaltenders David LeNeveu and JP Levasseur.The eight players visited the children for a few hours on Tuesday afternoon and brought Iowa Chops hats, stocking caps, and stuffed pigs. “It was amazing to see how much the kid’s spirits were lifted by the presence of our players,” said Iowa Chops Director of Fan Development Frank Meeink. “I was also touched by the positive reaction of the parents of these kids, who are also going through a difficult time.”Players, clad in their white home jerseys with numbers and names, went room to room spreading holiday cheer and talking to the kids about what they wanted for Christmas. Veteran forward Eric Boguniecki, who is married and has children of his own, said that the chance to visit kids in the hospital is an important one during the holidays. “It puts a lot of things in perspective for us players,” said Boguniecki. “You see what these kids and parents are going through and it makes it special for us to put a smile on their faces, especially during this time of year.”Blank Children’s Hospital is committed to family-centered healing, teaching and caring. Blank Children’s Hospital has the distinction of being the only civilian hospital built during World War II. The Blank family built the original hospital in 1944 to address the healthcare needs of Iowa’s ill and injured children for more than 60 years. Blank Children’s Hospital is a teaching hospital and is one of only two hospitals in the state to train residents in pediatrics. Many of the young patients we serve come from throughout the state of Iowa and beyond.

All Iowa Chops events on Tuesday are cancelled

2008-12-16T09:25:00.000-08:00

Iowa Chops President Steve Nitzel has announced that all Iowa Chops off-ice events in Tuesday, December 16th have been cancelled due to the inclimate weather and deteriorating conditions in the Des Moines area today. These events that have been cancelled include:

The Sales seminar at the Wells Fargo Arena from 12-2pm. (Rescheduled for next Tuesday, December 23rd from 12-2pm)

The VIP focus group meeting at the Skybox Lounge at 6:30pm

The Chops youth clinic at 6:00pm at the Wells Fargo Arena. The Iowa Chops offices are open on

Tuesday, so for more information about the cancellations and make-up times, please call 515-564-8700.

Admirals sink Chops on Saturday, 6-2

2008-12-14T08:51:00.000-08:00

It was a night of missed opportunities and unlucky bounces for the Iowa Chops, while the Milwaukee Admirals took advantage of some efficient scoring and timely power plays to defeat Iowa on Saturday night by a score of 6-2. The Chops went down early to two Admirals goals in the first three minutes of the game on their first four shots of the night. The Chops had to kill four penalties in the 1st period, which in large part led to their four shots on goal to Milwaukee's eight and a 2-0 lead after the 1st period. The Chops answered back on a power play of their own in the 2nd period with Ryan Dingle's fourth goal of the year and first Chops goal of the game for the second night in a row. Josh Green and Brendan Mikkelson posted assists. Milwaukee would answer back late in the period to make it 3-1, as a sprawling save by JP Levasseur was nulified with the rebound going off a Chops defensemen's leg and trickling in behind Levasseur. The turning point of the game was early in the 3rd period as TJ Trevelyan was given a penalty shot to try and make the score 3-2, but his attempt rang off the crossbar behind Admirals goalie Drew MacIntyre, straight down and bounced out. Replays confirmed the puck missed crossing the line by inches. From there, it was all Milwaukee who scored three more goals in five minutes to put the game out of reach. The Chops ended the game on the right note with a goal from Ryan Donally with :12 seconds remaining. Ajay Baines added an assist on the goal with a pass from behind the net, as did Matt Caruana, who recorded his first career AHL point on the play.

The loss to Milwaukee now means there is a three-way tie for first place in the West Division with Iowa, Peoria and Milwaukee all log-jammed at the top with 33 points. Chicago and Rockford sit just a point behind the trio with 32 points.

Chops Edged by Wolves in Shootout

2008-12-13T08:46:00.000-08:00

Two early Iowa Chops goals were answered in a span of :31 seconds by the Chicago Wolves in the 1st period, which ultimately led to both teams unable to score the rest of the way as Chicago (15-9-1-1, 32 pts.) topped Iowa (15-8-1-2, 32 pts.) in a shootout on Friday night in Des Moines, 3-2. The shootout loss was the second in two tries for the Chops this season, who dropped a shootout decision in Manitoba a few weeks ago. The shootout loss also marked the first time the Iowa Chops did not win a game when scoring first. The Chops scored first thanks to a goal from Ryan Dingle, who got open in the high slot and fired a shot past Wolves goalie Robert Gherson. Andrew Ebbett and Drew Miller assisted on the goal with hard work in front. The Chops made it 2-0 on their first power play of the night as Drew Miller stuck with a rebound to slide the puck past Gherson's left pad with help from Brian Salcido and another from Ebbett. A momentary lapse for :31 seconds late in the 1st period led to both Chicago goals, the first from leading scorer Joe Motzko on the power play, and the second moments later off a redirect from Riley Holzaphel. Chops goaltender David LeNeveu was very sharp in goal keeping the Chops tied the remainder of the way out with 31 saves on 33 Wolves shots. After a scoreless 2nd and 3rd period, the game went to overtime, where both teams had chances, but could not convert. In the shootout, the Wolves got goals from Jeff Hamilton and Junior Lessard, while the lone Chops goal came from Andrew Ebbett.

AND FOR ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Chicago Wolves, down 2-0 in the first period, fought back for a 3-2 shootout vitory over the Iowa Chops at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday night.
Jeff Hamilton and Junior Lessard each converted in the shootout for the Wolves, while goaltender Robert Gherson stopped 4 of 5 shots in the shootout.
Joe Motzko and Riley Holzapfel scored the Wolves' goals in regulation.
Iowa made it 1-0 at 5:55 of the first period when Ryan Dingle took a pass from Andrew Ebbett and sent a one-timer through traffic that beat Gherson top shelf.
The Chops went up 2-0 at 10:41 of the first when Drew Miller tipped a rebound past Gherson on the power play.
Gherson (5-2-0) turned back 22 of 24 shots during regulation and overtime.
The Wolves cut their deficit to 2-1 with a Motzko goal against goaltender David LeNeveu on the power play at 16:37 of the first period.
Holzapfel made it 2-2 just 41 seconds later after redirecting a shot from Spencer Machacek past LeNeveu.
LeNeveu (8-7-0) made 31 saves.

Chops fall short against Hogs, 2-1 to finish road trip

2008-12-12T07:56:00.000-08:00

A late goal from Andrew Ebbett and 27 saves from goalie JP Levasseur wasn't enough as the Iowa Chops finished their season-long seven-game roadtrip with a 2-1 loss in Rockford Thursday night. The Chops went down early in the game as just over two minutes into the 1st period IceHogs forward Jack Skille found himself open in the high slot and beat Iowa Chops goaltender JP Levasseur clean over the blocker side for a 1-0 lead. The Chops tried to claw back in the period with the help of two power plays, but could not find the back of the net. Some more saves by Levasseur kept the road-weary Chops in the game the rest of the opening frame as the IceHogs outshot the Chops 9-6 in the opening frame. The Chops had a couple of good chances in the 2nd period, but only managed another six shots on goal. The best may have come from Josh Green and TJ Trevelyan, but their back-to-back chances from the slot were stopped by IceHogs goaltender Corey Crawford. After killing of two power plays, the Chops could not contain the IceHogs late in the period as two point-blank saves by Levasseur were not enough and the third shot slid under the goalie as Tim Brent scored the second goal of the game for Rockford, who took a 2-0 lead into the lockerroom after two periods. More good saves in the 3rd period kept the Chops in the game and with Levasseur pulled in favor of the extra attacker, the Chops snapped Crawford's shutout with :27 seconds left with a goal from Andrew Ebbett with assists to Josh Green and Petteri Wirtanen. The Chops could not get the equalizer and ran out of time, losing their first game in regulation since Nov. 21. The Chops now return home for the first time in almost three weeks Friday, December 12 to face the Chicago Wolves at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

FOR ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW

Rockford, Ill.- The Iowa Chops came into Rockford hotter than any team in the Western Conference, but couldn't solve the Rockford IceHogs at the Rockford MetroCentre on Thursday. The Hogs beat the Chops 2-1 for the third straight win against their newest West Division foe.

The Hogs ended the Chops 5-0-0-1 road streak and 6-0-1-1 unbeaten streak.

"They're a very good team, they don't give you a whole lot," Rockford coach Bill Peters said of Iowa. "They have given up next to nothing in their winning steak, so if you're going to beat them, you're going to have to play well and earn everything you get."

Early in the first frame, Rockford winger Jack Skille sniped a bullet past the shoulder of Iowa netminder Jean-Philippe Levasseur. The goal came at 2:08 in the first and gave the Hogs a 1-0 lead over the Chops. The assists were credited to Petri Kontiola and Niklas Hjalmarsson.

Skille finished with eight shots on net in the game.

The IceHogs added another marker in the second frame to jump ahead 2-0 over the Chops. Tim Brent chipped in a rebound off of Levasseur at 14:51. Pascal Pelletier and the Hogs' newest blueliner Jimmy Sharrow were credited with the assists.

Just down from Chicago, Corey Crawford got the nod in net.

"You're always going to be a little rusty," he said. "I haven't played in two weeks. It was fun to be in Chicago but it's also nice to be back on the ice."

He finished with 25 saves, but couldn't finish with the shutout as Iowa's Andrew Ebbett solved Crawford with 26 seconds left in the game with an empty net on the other side of the ice.

"I gave them one there," he said. "I felt good, but the whole team played really well tonight."

The IceHogs finished 0-for-4 and haven't scored a power play goal in four straight games.
"It's not very good right now," Peters said. "We're going to have to make some personnel moves. Obviously it's gone stale."

On the other side of special teams, the Hogs held off the Chops in five attempts.

Iowa Chops hiring staff despite local layoffs and economy

2008-12-11T06:22:00.000-08:00

DES MOINES, IA - (December 10, 2008) - In light of the recent and local layoffs due to the poor economy, Iowa Chops President Steve Nitzel announced today that the Iowa Chops Hockey team is hiring personnel for four corporate sales positions. "Losing your job is always tough, especially now around the holidays, so we feel the timing of our announcement has everything to do with putting someone back on their feet and working again," said Nitzel. "Working in sports is a unique and exciting way to make a living, and is a great way to meet new people and network within our community."

The Iowa Chops will be holding a one-day seminar at the Wells Fargo Arena on Tuesday, December 16th from Noon-2pm for those interested, and the top four candidates from that seminar will be selected and hired by the Iowa Chops to become a corporate sales manager with the team. The corporate sales manager position with the team includes, but is not limited to: Corporate sponsorship sales, ticket sales, group sales, game day operations, community events and customer service. The position is a full-time position that is based off an aggressive sales commission structure, with potential future benefits based upon performance. If you are interested in attending the seminar, please email cover letter and resume to Iowa Chops President Steve Nitzel at snitzel@iowachops.com. No phone calls please.
The Iowa Chops are Iowa's newest professional hockey team and the American Hockey League affiliate (AAA level) of the National Hockey League's Anaheim Ducks. All home games are played out of the Wells Fargo Arena in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. The season runs from October through April, with the Calder Cup playoffs extending into May and June. The team plays 80 regular season games (40 home, 40 road).

The Iowa Chops return home from their longest road

trip of the season on Friday, December 12th against the Chicago Wolves at 7:05pm at the Wells Fargo Arena. Tickets start as low as $10 per game. To purchase tickets for this season, call 515-564-8700 or visit the web site at www.iowachops.com for more information.

NHL Insider: Lindstrom gets chance with Coyotes

2008-12-11T06:18:00.000-08:00

by Jim Gintonio - Dec. 10, 2008 02:44 PMThe Arizona Republic

Windows of opportunity in the NHL don't stay open long.

And once players get a taste of the big time, getting sent back to the minors is deflating as their team bus getting four flat tires in West Texas.

Another crack in that window has opened for Joakim Lindstrom, 25, acquired by the Coyotes from the Anaheim organization, where he played for the Iowa Chops and saw his AHL career reach 200 games.

He appeared in 37 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the previous three seasons, and that experience made him crave a return to the NHL.

"It feels incredible," said Lindstrom, a 2002 second-round draft pick (41st overall) of the Blue Jackets. "It's really good to be here.

"You always want to be in the NHL, right? You always got to make the best of it, just try to keep on working hard. It's my dream to play in the NHL. I'm willing to do anything and everything it takes . . . and help the Coyotes in the best possible way that I can."

Lindstrom's call-up is not just to give his ego a boost. He's viewed as smart and skilled forward, and he will be given a good chance to show that he belongs. He'll be on lines with offensively skilled players, and the Coyotes will be looking for production.

As for the frustration of playing in the minors when you think you're ready to move up, he said: "It's not only me. It's a lot of guys around the league. You've just got to deal with it, simple as that."

2008-12-10T09:57:00.000-08:00

Press Release - The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed left wing Eric Tangradi to a three-year entry-level contract. Per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Tangradi, 19 (2/10/89), has appeared in 32 contests with the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) this season, collecting 20-26=46 points with 41 penalty minutes (PIM). Playing in his third season with the club and his first as team captain, the 6-3, 220-pound winger currently leads the Bulls and ranks fourth in the OHL in scoring. He is currently riding a 10-game point streak (9-10=19) dating back to Nov. 15 at Ottawa, which also includes a five-point effort (2-3=5) on Nov. 19 vs. Niagara. Tangradi was named the Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week for the week ending Nov. 23, collecting 4-5=9 points with a +6 rating in three games. He has registered at least one point in 24-of-32 games this season, helping the Bulls maintain first place in the OHL’s Eastern Conference. On Dec. 3, Tangradi was named to the U.S. National Junior Team competing at the 2009 World Junior Championship beginning on Dec. 26 in Ottawa, Ontario. [READ]

Lemieux attempting unprecedented comeback

2008-12-09T07:57:00.000-08:00

By Pat Martin, Hockey Editor

Worcester, MA (Sports Network) - Claude Lemieux, a veteran of 20 NHL seasons with five different teams, began feeling a tug early this year.

The tug came from the heart of a player who posted 379 goals, 406 assists and 1,756 penalty minutes in 1,197 career NHL games between 1983 and 2003.

The tug came from the heart of a player that helped three of his former teams win a total of four Stanley Cup while scoring 80 playoff goals - which ranks ninth all-time in NHL history.

Now, at 43-years-old and five years removed from his last NHL game, Lemieux is giving in to that tug and attempting an unprecedented comeback.

"I think the main reason [for the comeback attempt] is I miss playing the game and I miss being involved with hockey and being around hockey and hockey players," Lemieux told SportsNetwork.com in an exclusive phone interview. "Everything I've done my whole life has been around a hockey rink so I felt that I could still play, and that's why I decided to try to get back in shape and come back."

The comeback attempt began in June when Lemieux started hitting the weight room, and intensified in the following few months when he hired a personal trainer.

"In August I started training on the ice as well [as spending significant time in the gym] so I put in more time and more work than I ever did in my previous years playing," Lemieux said. "So it has been a different approach but it has really paid off. I'm in great shape and I feel a big difference on the ice. Although I'm older, I feel my conditioning is far superior to what it ever was."

The comeback hit the next stage when Lemieux signed an American Hockey League contract with the Worcester Sharks late last month. He played his first professional hockey game since 2003 on Nov. 28 at the Providence Bruins, registering two assists in a loss. Since then, Lemieux has played five more games in the AHL, registering two goals, including the game-winner vs. the Portland Pirates on Sunday afternoon.

"It's a tough grind," Lemieux said of the AHL schedule. "I felt really good. I played all three games last weekend and [three] more since then. I've had five in eight days and my body is holding up great and doing well, knock on wood. Everything is good, I can't ask for more."

MORE OF THE SAME?

When questioned as to what he thinks he can bring to the post-lockout NHL, the 6-foot-0, 215-pound Lemieux said he could bring the same physical edge that made him one of the premier agitators and power forwards in the NHL in his prime.

"I think it's still a very physical game," he said. "You look at the top guys in hockey, whether it's [Sidney] Crosby, [Alex] Ovechkin, or [Evgeni] Malkin and the guys at the top of the scoring [race], they are all pretty physical players. There's a lot of work and battles in the corners.

"There's more skating [in the new NHL] but as a player, anybody who's played the game knows that the toughest part was to battle in the corners and try to get away from defensemen with the interference and the holding and the grabbing [in the pre-lockout NHL]. Now it's lot more skating. There's probably less stop-and-starts than we had in the old days. It's a different game."

How has Lemieux's game translated to the new style at the AHL level thus far in his comeback?

"I'm playing in the American League where all the future stars will play or are playing," he said. "There are a lot of great young players and they're big and strong and fast and I fit right in. I don't feel slow, and I don't feel any different than I did when I played in the NHL."

FAMILY MATTERS

Lemieux, who is married with two children with his current wife, Deborah, as well as two older boys from a previous marriage, says he has the support of his family back in Phoenix.

"That is probably the toughest part," Lemiuex said. "We are obviously apart right now but it was a decision we all agreed [upon] and my family is very supportive of my decision. It's been nice that I can be 43, wanting to do something that means a lot to me, and that it means that much to them and that my wife and kids are so supportive."

While his family is supportive now, Lemieux admitted that Deborah was a little taken aback when she realized he was serious about the comeback.

"She was surprised at first. She thought I just wanted to lose some weight and get back in shape and was just looking for motivation so she just kind of went along at first not thinking I was that serious. Then when she saw me in the gym three hours a day she realized there was more to it. Then we sat down and talked about how realistic it could be or would be, and what kind of timeline and what I had in mind and everything else."

GETTING THERE

Lemiuex is satisfied with where his game is at right now, although he admits he still has a way to go before he is back to his top level.

"Ideally I'd like to say I'm at the top of my game and I feel like I'm in my prime and that would be a nine, you never want to give yourself a 10," he said. "Maybe I'm at a six or in that ballpark so obviously the best is yet to come from me.

"I'm not just rating myself on goals and points. I'm looking at when I'm on the ice what my line is doing and how we're dominating or creating chances, and how's my physical contribution and my positioning and these kinds of things. I feel really good about [my overall game]. There's also the chemistry with linemates and the style of play and the bit of difference between the AHL and NHL. Some players fit better at the American League level and some are just marginal or average at the AHL level and just happen to fit in better at the NHL level."

WHAT'S NEXT

Lemieux has been in contact with a number of NHL teams, but would prefer not to name them because of the potential distraction it could cause. For now he is content to play in the AHL and work on his game in an attempt to latch on with a team at the NHL level.

"I'm a free agent as far as anybody who wants to pick me up in the NHL," he said. "But as far as the AHL, I'm signed for the year so I could be here for as little or as long as I need to be.

"... I'm just here to play and anyone that may be interested knows where to find me, where to send their scouts. I think they have a pretty good idea of what to expect by now and they'll see more in the near future."

Ducks' Bobby Ryan responds well to demotion

2008-12-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

Dropped to the fourth line before Sunday's game, he produces a goal and an assist in 5-3 victory over Columbus.

By Chris Foster
December 8, 2008

The Ducks' Bobby Ryan took a tumble . . . before Sunday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets even began.

Ryan had been on the Ducks' top two lines almost exclusively since being recalled from minor league Iowa three weeks ago. He was dropped to the fourth line Sunday.

A message from Coach Randy Carlyle?

"Yes and no," Ryan said.

The message back from Ryan was clear. He scored one goal and assisted on another, as the Ducks' energy line (Ryan, Ryan Carter and George Parros) gave the offense a little oomph in a 5-3 victory over Columbus.

"It's a different role and you embrace it," Ryan said. "All they want me to do is bring energy. If we put a couple like we did tonight that's fine."

Ryan practiced the previous two days with the fourth line. Carlyle, though, said Saturday that Ryan would play on a scoring line. That was for public consumption. Privately, Ryan said he was told Saturday that he would be on the fourth line.

"I felt that it's probably better at this point, with the way things have gone for him," Carlyle said after Sunday's game. "I didn't think he felt comfortable in some situations. He has to understand there is a grooming process that takes place in the NHL. The fact is, it is not easy to step in and play second-line minutes in your first year."

Ryan showed that day may not be far off. He led a two-on-one rush into the Columbus zone, then slipped a pass to Carter, who scored in the second period. Ryan was perched at the crease in the third period and chipped in a pass from Parros.

"He brings some puck-handling skills to our line," Parros said. "He's not afraid to make plays."

Ryan knows that wasn't the message he was being given. "We know he can score goals," Carlyle said.

Said Ryan: "We're not relied upon to score. We're relied upon to hit people. If the momentum is in the other team's favor, we're going to change it back."

Comeback Chops all alone in 1st after 3-2 win in Lake Erie Sunday

2008-12-07T17:09:00.000-08:00

Thanks to three straight goals to end the game, the Iowa Chops won their third game in as many nights with a come-from-behind 3-2 win against the Lake Erie Monsters on Sunday at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The wear of three road games in three nights was evident at the start of the game on Sunday as the Chops took three straight penalties, which led to a 5 on 3 power play goal by Tom Fritsche of the Monsters who tapped home a backdoor pass past a helpless David LeNeveu, who was making his second straight start between the pipes. The Monsters made it 2-0 less than two minutes later as Phil Dupuis incepted a pass from behind the Chops net by LeNeveu and beat him back to the front for the unassisted goal. The Chops could not find the net late in the period despite two power plays. The Chops got it rolling in the 2nd period less than two minutes in as Josh Green's shot from the high slot as a Chops power play ended, glanced off of Eric Boguniecki and in behind Tyler Weiman for the first Chops goal. Eric Regan also assisted on the first Chops goal. 10 minutes later the Chops tied the game thanks to some more passing magic by linemates Drew Miller and Andrew Ebbett who connected on a give-and-go to TJ Trevelyan in front who squeezed a shot through Weiman to tie the game at 2-2. The 3rd period was a back and forth affair, but the Chops took their first lead of the night thanks to some hard forechecking. Drew Miller kept the puck in the zone after a clearing attempt by the Monsters and was able to get it down low to Andrew Ebbett who returned it to Miller in the slot. Miller then wristed a shot high over the blocker of Weiman for the eventual game-winner and Miller's second game-winner in as many night's. The rest of the game was highlighted by Chops goaltender David LeNeveu, who made several spectacular saves to keep the Monster scoreless the remainder of the game. The win moved the Chops all alone into 1st place in the West Division and makes it now eight games in a row without a regulation loss. The Chops are currently 6-0-1 on their season-long seven game road trip.

And For Another Point of View
Tim Warsinskey/Plain Dealer Reporter

Frustration is ebbing its way into the Lake Erie Monsters' locker room.

"This loss hurts," Coach Joe Sacco said losing to Iowa, 3-2, Sunday at Quicken Loans Arena. "We had a 2-0 lead against a team playing their third [game] in three nights, and I thought we were the fresher team.

"It's just a frustrating loss. It's disappointing."

Lake Erie has one win, an overtime loss and a shootout loss in its last nine games, eight of which were played at home.

"We really feel like we should have won that one with the lead we had. We just kind of gave it to them," Parma native Tom Fritsche said. "Yeah, that hurts. A lot of people are down."

For the second time in two days, Iowa leading goal scorer Drew Miller netted the game-winner off a Lake Erie turnover in the defensive zone. His goal in overtime Saturday night beat goalie Tyler Weiman and the Monsters, 2-1.

Sunday, sloppy puck handling was a neatly wrapped gift for Miller. Lake Erie forward Nathan Smith lost control of a bad outlet pass off the right boards. Miller grabbed the puck and snapped a laser from the circle past Weiman, breaking a 2-2 tie with 7:03 remaining in the third period.

"We've got to know who's on the ice," Fritsche said. "He gets a chance like that, he's going to score."

Lake Erie capitalized on Iowa penalties in the first period. The Chops gave Lake Erie a two-man advantage early and Fritsche, camped out on the left post, had an easy tap-in of T.J. Galiardi's pass across the crease at 4:18.

"It's nice to score at home, but you kind of forget about it when you don't win," Fritsche said of his third goal this season.

Nearly two minutes later, Iowa goalie David LeNeveu's blunder led to another goal by hustling forward Phil Dupuis. He stole LeNeveu's pass behind the net, tapped it into the crease, then dove and tucked the puck inside the right post before LeNeveu could scramble into position.

Penalties sapped the Monsters' momentum in the second period and Iowa scored twice to tie it. Both goals were even-strength, but immediately followed power plays and came while the Monsters' penalty killers still were on the ice.

NHL veteran Eric Boguniecki screened Weiman and redirected a high wrister by Josh Green at 1:43. T.J. Trevelyan lifted a one-timer over Weiman's shoulder at 10:29.

Lake Erie outshot Iowa, 29-25. Weiman (5-5-1-2) had 22 saves and stopped 58 of 63 shots on the weekend.

Condors Top $3 million mark in cash, goods and services

2008-12-07T12:31:00.000-08:00

Bakersfield Calif. - Only two months into the 2008-09 season, the Bakersfield Condors, ECHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks, have held three collection nights bringing in 7,614 stuffed animals, 1,300 coats, and 380 toys, a charity golf tournament that raised more than $10,000 and a jersey auction that brought in over $23,000. With those events, the Condors have now donated more than $3 million in cash, goods and services to deserving non-profit organizations and local school children during the team's 11-year history.

"We are in a unique position were we can combine family fun and entertainment with a greater sense of purpose and charity," said Condors President Matthew Riley. "That our organization, with our fans behind us, has now hit the 3 million dollars mark in donations to enhance the quality of life in our community and give to those in need is an amazing feat and a credit to this great community we live in."

The fur flew in record-breaking form:

It was a record-breaking Saturday for the Condors, as 8,929 fans, the second most in Condors history, packed The Nest for the 10th annual Teddy Bear Toss. When the Condors scored their first goal of the night, a flood of fur began raining onto the ice. It took more than 50 volunteers just 10 minutes to remove all the bears from the ice. Overall, Condors fans threw a record 7,614 bears onto the ice for local less-fortunate children. The United Way of Kern County distributed the bears to over two dozen organizations to find children for the bears to comfort.

Captain Clutch! Miller delivers OT winner as Chops top Monsters

2008-12-06T19:38:00.001-08:00

12/06/2008 9:13 PM - Thanks to an overtime goal from Drew Miller, a shorthanded goal from Andrew Ebbett and 26 saves from David LeNeveu, the Iowa Chops posted a thrilling 2-1 OT win against the Lake Erie Monsters on Saturday night at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. After dominating much of the 1st period, which included a 15-9 shot advantage, for the 10th time this season the Chops would score first thanks to a shorthanded goal by Andrew Ebbett who received a great saucer pass from Brendan Mikkelson to race in on a breakaway and beat Monsters goaltender Tyler Weiman between the blocker and the body for the 1-0 lead. Chops goaltender David LeNeveu stopped all nine shots that came his way. The 2nd period saw the Monsters finally take advantage of a power play as a drive from the point was tipped in by Marty Sertich, who was all alone at the back post to lift one upstairs over an outstretched LeNeveu. The Chops managed six shots in the period and had a few great chances at the end of the period, but Tyler Weiman made a few good saves in front as the Chops power play tried to regain the lead to keep the game tied 1-1 after two periods. The 3rd period was back a fourth, but the Chops continued to pressure the net. The Chops fired in a season-high 16 shots in the 3rd period and 37 shots through regulation, but could not get the puck past Weiman. On the other end, LeNeveu kept his team in the game with several key saves. In the overtime, some hard work at the point by Brennan Evans to keep the puck in the offensive zone got the puck down low to Ebbett, who fed Miller in the high slot and Miller wristed a shot past the catching glove of Weiman for the game-winner and his team-leading 11th goal of the season. The Chops outshot the Monsters 38-27 and will face the Monsters again on Sunday, December 7th at 5:00pm (4:00pm central) at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

AND FOR ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW

In the 100th game of their franchise’s history, the Lake Erie Monsters lost to the Iowa Chops, 2-1, in overtime Saturday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

The game was highlighted by another solid performance from Monsters goaltender Tyler Weiman, who made 36 saves on 38 shots.

“Tyler was great again,” said Monsters center Marty Sertich. “The last few games he’s played for us he’s been great. They could have had more goals, but he played really well.”

Weiman and the Monsters defense started the game out well. The team killed off a two man advantage early on and Weiman stopped 14 shots in the opening frame.

However, the Chops opened the scoring, finding the back of the net at 12:01 of the first period. While shorthanded, Iowa’s Brendan Mikkelson floated a pass that touched down right on the stick of Andrew Ebbett, who was sprinting down the middle of the ice. The Chops forward was all alone on Weiman and beat the Monsters goalie to give the Chops a 1-0 lead.

The lead would last for about a period before Sertich cashed in on the power play at 11:42 of the second. From the point, defenseman Ray Macias fired a slap shot that Sertich deflected past the glove of Chops goalie David LeNeveu. Chris Durno earned the second assist on the goal.

The game would remain tied for the rest of regulation as both goaltenders turned in solid performances to keep their teams in the game. Weiman made 16 saves in the third period and LeNeveu turned aside 13 shots in the last frame of regulation.

But the game would end at 2:52 of overtime, when Chops forward Drew Miller beat Weiman to end the game.

“We hadn’t played in a week and we came back rusty, but Tyler kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win,” said head coach Joe Sacco.

Lake Erie won’t have too much time to dwell on the loss. The team will turn around in less than 24 hours and host Iowa again at The Q Sunday at 5:00 p.m.

“That’s a very good hockey team we played tonight,” said Sacco. “We need to come out strong tomorrow and let Iowa know we’re ready to play."

Bobby Ryan, Positioned Still Undefined

2008-12-06T08:14:00.000-08:00

From the Inland Valley Daily News

J.P. Hoornstra, Staff Writer

Created: 12/05/2008 10:02:28 PM PST

ANAHEIM - Randy Carlyle has a sense that being the Ducks' everyday top-line right wing is too much, too soon for Bobby Ryan.

The 21-year-old Ryan does not share this sentiment.

But since Carlyle is the head coach, Ryan found himself benched midway through the Ducks' 4-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday - the result, Carlyle said, of Ryan standing still and turning the puck over.

"I think at times we put too much pressure on Bobby because he's out playing with our top six forwards," Carlyle said after practice Friday. "(Ryan) Getzlaf and (Corey) Perry didn't have to play with our top groupings; they played with our fourth line their whole first year. They got second-unit power play time. We're fast-tracking Bobby Ryan in a lot of ways, but those other two guys didn't have to."

Carlyle often cited the example of Perry and Getzlaf last year during Ryan's first three NHL call-ups, a span of 25 games including the playoffs. Ryan was sometimes used as a top-six forward but appeared more often on the Ducks' energy line, getting fewer minutes in those games.

Ryan skated on the energy line in practice Friday, but that didn't reflect Carlyle's immediate solution.

"I think he's still going to be (on) a scoring line," the coach said. "I think we have to find ways to find him offensive minutes. If we're not going to play him in our top-six grouping, we have to find ways to get him minutes in other situations - be it 4-on-4, be

it power-play time. Maybe move him up once a period on another line, do some of that to get him playing. It doesn't do him any good not playing."

The second overall choice in the 2005 draft doesn't feel like he's been rushed into the role. In nine games since being recalled from the American Hockey League, Ryan has two goals, six points and a plus-6 rating.

"I'm confident with (Perry) and Getzlaf out there," Ryan said, "but sometimes you feel like you make one bad play it's going to escalate from there. When you start to lose confidence right off the bat, you're in trouble. Maybe that's the case of what happened on Wednesday."

NOTABLE

The Ducks confirmed that senior advisor David Nonis has been offered the Toronto Maple Leafs' Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations position by general manager Brian Burke. As of Friday afternoon, Nonis was still considering the offer. ... Carlyle said that injured forward Brad Larsen is contemplating hip surgery. The condition of his hip hasn't improved since undergoing sports hernia surgery at the outset of the season, and Larsen didn't participate in practice Friday. ... Chris Pronger (maintenance) and Brian Sutherby (groin) also did not practice.

Chops Down Amerks 4-1

2008-12-05T22:40:00.000-08:00

Thanks to 34 saves from JP Levasseur and early scoring, the Iowa Chops continued their winning ways on Friday night with a 4-1 road win over the Rochester Americans. The Chops started the 4th game of the seven-game road swing on the right note as just :28 seconds in some good forechecking by Andrew Ebbett got the puck to the point for Brian Salcido, who's slapshot was stopped by Amerks goaltender David Shantz, but the loose rebound was picked up by Drew Miller and smashed home for his team-leading 10th goal of the season. The Chops wasted no time making it 2-0, this time taking advantage of their power play as Troy Bodie smashed home a loose rebound in front after a drive from the point from John de Gray and more help from Adrian Veideman. The rest of the 1st period belonged to Chops goaltender JP Levasseur and the rest of the penalty kill, who killed off three straight power plays including a 5 on 3 and kept the Amerks off the scoreboard in the 1st period w ith 11 Amerks shots vs. the Chops 12 shots on goal. The 2nd period began with some pressure from the Amerks who continued to pepper JP Levasseur, but the goaltender from Victoriaville, Quebec held strong to maintain the 2-0 Chops lead. The Chops made it 3-0 thanks to a rush down the side by Ryan Donally, who sent a shot from a sharp angle in on Shantz, who made the save, but let the rebound loose for newcomer Matt Caruana to poke home for his first-ever goal in the AHL and as an Iowa Chops. Brian Salcido picked up his second assist of the game on the play. Rochester finally took advantage of their fifth straight power play as a shot from the point was deflected in front and shot home from the side by Janis Sprukts to give the Amerks their first goal of the night. Rochester outshot Iowa 15-7 in the period, but the lead remained at two. The 3rd period was all Chops, again backboned by Levasseur who may have played his best game in a Chops uniform ultimately ending up with 34 saves on the night. The Chops made the Amerks pay again on the power play late in the final stanza with a goal from TJ Trevelyan, who one-timed a drive from the slot after some great give-and-go passes from Miller and Veideman. The Chops won 4-1 and remain pefect when scoring first and leading after the 1st and 2nd periods. The Chops face the Lake Erie Monsters on Saturday at 7:30pm (6:30pm central)

AND FOR ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW

Does Stickum work with goalie equipment?

After a 4-1 loss to the Iowa Chops on Friday night, Rochester Americans coach Benoit Groulx may want to know.

David Shantz allowed two rebound goals and a third goal came on a sharp-angle shot that hit him and caromed into the net.

As a result, the Amerks ended up in a 3-0 hole in the first 27 minutes and couldn't recover, falling to 3-18-0-2 while the Chops improved to 13-7-1-1.

"We didn't start playing until it was 3-0," center Drew Larman said.

The poor start troubled Groulx. He wasn't blaming Shantz for the first goal but he did on the second.

"The first shift we're down 1-0, then a bad goal and it's 2-zip after seven minutes," Groulx said. "To me, it's a lack of preparation. We didn't get involved. Why is that? I don't know."

He wants his older players to provide the answer.

"I expect some guys to show the way; obviously they're not," Groulx said.

Iowa's Drew Miller, the brother of former Amerk goalie Ryan Miller, and Troy Bodie scored in the first period, Ryan Donally scored in the second, and T. J. Trevelyan steered in a perfect pass in the third.

Janis Sprukts scored the Amerks' goal in the second period on a power play.

There would be no comeback, however. The poor start doomed the Amerks, who thought they could build on their strong play of last weekend.

"We have to start to play when the referee drops the puck on the first shift," winger Michal Repik said. "They played better than us, that's why they won."

Miller's goal came just 28 seconds after the first puck dropped. Shantz stopped Brian Salcido's point shot, but it dropped behind him and Miller swatted it in.

"We recognized how well Rochester has played the last little while and that they were feeling good about themselves," Iowa coach Gord Dineen said. "When you get scored on in the first minute ... it takes the wind out of your sails."

The Chops used the power play to extend their lead to 2-0 at 7:13. Shantz stopped a shot from the center point by John de Gray but couldn't find the rebound and Troy Bodie swatted it in.

As the puck dropped on the ensuing faceoff, Amerks tough-guy winger Riley Emmerson dropped the gloves with Donally. The heavyweight bout ended when Emmerson connected with a punishing right hand that cut Donally near the left eye.

Donally came back just fine, though, scoring seven minutes into the second period for a 3-0 lead. Donally, from a sharp angle on the right-wing boards, threw a shot on goal and the puck hit Shantz and somehow went into the net.

Chops vs Americans

2008-12-05T13:33:00.001-08:00

The Iowa Chops (12-7-1-1, 26 points), playing Game 4 of a season-long seven-game road trip, comes into the game the winners in two of its last three and a recent two-game split with the Manitoba Moose. Andrew Ebbett currently paces Iowa's offense with a team-leading 21 points and 13 assists, while his eight goals ties him for second best. Drew Miller, younger brother of former Amerks goaltender Ryan Miller, leads the team with nine goals. The Chops have two of the AHL's top hard-nosed players in Brennan Evans and Ryan Donally who are presently ranked 8th and 10th in the league with 83 and 74 PIM, respectively. Chops forward Joakim Lindstrom was acquired by the Phoenix Coyotes in a trade that sent defenseman Logan Stephenson to the Anaheim Ducks. Stephenson makes his Chops debut tonight in Rochester.

Rochester (3-17-0-2, 8 points) enters the contest coming off their most productive, and perhaps busiest weekend of the season, earning two points in a win over the Lake Erie Monsters and another in a shootout loss to the Toronto Marlies. First-year forward Michal Repik collected two points (1+1) against Toronto to become the top point-getter with a team-high six goals and 13 points, while his seven assists ties him for second. Further, Repik comes into the game currently riding a three-game point streak (2+2). Rookie defenseman Jason Garrison leads the team with eight assists and remains Rochester's top scoring defenseman with 10 points (2+8) overall, good enough for second best on the team. Michael Duco presently ranks ninth in the league and first on the team with 83 penalty minutes (PIM).

Fans can listen to all the action tonight as the Chops will broadcast all 80 games this season on ESPN Radio 1700 THE CHAMP. Or if fans would like to watch and listen to the Iowa Chops while they are on the road on their computers, fans can go to the AHL LIVE! website at www.ahllive.com. Alex Kyrias will provide all of the play-by-play action.