AHL Peoria Rivermen

Aeros Stun Rivermen With Overtime Win in Game 5

Published on April 22, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


HOUSTON - With a 2-0 lead and less than five minutes remaining in regulation, the Peoria Rivermen were ready to head back to Carver Arena with a 3-2 West Division semifinals series lead. The Houston Aeros spoiled the party and came back to defeat Peoria 3-2 in overtime Wednesday night at Toyota Center.

Houston proved that no lead is safe and netted two goals in the final 4:17 of regulation to send the game to extra time. Matt Beaudoin struck first at 15:43, only 10 seconds into their eighth power play of the night to make it a 2-1 game. Left-winger Robbie Earl quickly tied the game 90 seconds later after cleaning up a loose puck on Manny Legace's doorstep.

Maxim Noreau sealed the comeback, wristing a puck from the right point, through a screen and over Legace's glove for the game winner. Noreau's goal, his second of the series, came on Houston's 10th power play of the night.

Most of game five was controlled by the Rivermen, who outshot Houston 32-19. Peoria just could not convert on the power play, finishing 0-for-8 with the man advantage.

Danny Richmond's stellar pass across the slot found Jeff Cowan's stick at the edge of the right circle, and the left-winger snapped a one-timer past Anton Khudobin to give Peoria a 1-0 lead with 2:42 left in the second period.

The Rivermen appeared to double their lead two minutes later when Trent Whitfield poked a puck deep into Khudobin's crease. The Houston netminder covered the loose puck close to his goal line, but no goal was awarded on the play.

Peoria eventually did grab a 2-0 lead at 12:38 in the third period when Steve Regier blasted home his second goal of the playoffs. After intercepting a pass at center ice, Regier carried the puck into the bottom of the left circle and snapped it past Khudobin's glove.

Penalties that dominated the game, sparked Houston's comeback and eventually ended the game. Jonas Junland's delay of game penalty for shooting the puck directly out of play from his own end gave the Aeros the power play that lead to their first goal. The Rivermen were unable to capitalize on a 5-on-3 advantage in the opening minutes of overtime.

The Rivermen outshot the Aeros 8-2 in overtime alone but Houston scored on three of their final six shots on goal.

The Rivermen went 1-2 in the three games at the Toyota Center and will have to take the next two games at Carver Arena in order to advance to the next round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Pivotal game six takes place Saturday in Peoria at 7 p.m. at Carver Arena. Every fan in attendance will receive a coupon for a free Quarter Pounder with Cheese courtesy of Peoria/Bartonville area McDonald's. Tickets are available at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, by calling (309) 676-1040 or online at www.rivermen.net/tickets.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 22, 2009


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