The past week

The Iowa Stars won two of three games over the past week, but they are on the brink of being eliminated from the playoffs.

With seven games remaining, one Iowa loss or a Houston or San Antonio win would knock the Stars out of playoff contention.

At this point of the season it's make the most of the remaining games of the season. Iowa won both of its home games over the past week, beating Quad City and Rockford.

"We figured out we have nothing to lose," Iowa forward Janos Vas told the Des Moines Register. "We just have to win a couple games and make fun at these home games we've got so our fans will like it, because we need them."

Right wing Raymond Sawada joined the Iowa Stars after signing an entry-level deal with Dallas and an amateur tryout contract with Iowa last week.

Sawada, a 2nd round pick (52nd overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, just completed his collegiate career at Cornell.

Sawada,  6-2, 205 pounds, had 10 goals and 16 assists in 36 games this past season. He had 31 goals and 45 assists in 137 games during his four-year career at Cornell.

Sawada picked up a goal in his first game with Iowa.

Defenseman Trevor Ludwig also signed an amateur tryout contract with the Iowa Stars last week. The 22-year-old Ludwig, the son of former Stars defenseman Craig Ludwig, just wrapped his collegiate career at Providence. Ludwig was drafted by the Stars in the sixth round (183rd overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He is not currently under contract with Dallas.

Ludwig picked up his first pro point, an assist, in his second game with Iowa.

• Signed RW Raymond Sawada to an ATO on March 28
• Signed D Trevor Ludwig to an ATO on March 26.