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Peoria Rivermen

Bulldogs Pull Away From Rivermen In Third

November 1, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


HAMILTON, Ontario (November 1, 2009) - The Hamilton Bulldogs scored three times in the final seven minutes of regulation to break a 2-2 tie and beat the Peoria Rivermen 5-2 on Sunday evening at Copps Coliseum. Lars Eller recorded the primary assist on both Rivermen goals and now has 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in his first 11 games of the season.

The Rivermen finished their three-game road trip 0-2-0-1 and are still in search of their first win away from home this season. Mathieu Darche scored twice for the Bulldogs, including the game-winner at 13:12 of the third period, to keep Hamilton undefeated in regulation this season (7-0-4).

Darche's first goal was the only goal in the first period, at 7:51. With Eller in the box for cross-checking, Yannick Weber's shot was blocked in the crease and Darche pushed the puck in before Ben Bishop could find it. It was Hamilton's only power-play goal in three chances in the game.

Nicholas Drazenovic tied the game at 9:00 of the second period for his fourth goal of the season. Yan Stastny, assigned from St. Louis before the game, fired a long pass ahead to Eller and sent him in on a two-on-one with Drazenovic. Eller's pass connected with Drazenovic at the bottom of the circle who made a move to the backhand around Curtis Sanford for the goal.

The evenly-matched game continued into the third period when the teams traded goals in the opening six minutes. Darche sprung Brock Trotter between the defense and on a breakaway. His backhand move snuck the puck past Bishop to give the Bulldogs back the lead. Derek Armstrong evened the score at 5:55 with the Rivermen on the power play. Jonas Junland's sharp-angled shot generated a rebound in the crease and Eller's shot was stopped by Sanford. Armstrong tapped the puck out of the air and into the net for his third of the season.

Mike Glumac took Armstrong out with a vicious hit away from the play at 12:01 and was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for interference. Before the Rivermen could capitalize on the extended power play, Drazenovic was whistled for a tripping call to make it four-on-four. The Bulldogs used the open ice to score twice in 31 seconds to take a 4-2 lead. Darche scored on another rebound from Weber's point shot (13:12) and JT Wyman banked a shot in from behind the net (13:43).

Shawn Belle converted a two-on-one at 18:06 with Ryan Russell to cap the scoring at 5-2.

Bishop stopped 28 shots in his first regulation loss of the season. He had started the year by going 3-0-0-2. Former Rivermen netminder, Sanford made 26 saves.

Peoria was 1-for-9 on the power play while Hamilton was 1-for-3.

The Rivermen return home on Thursday to take on the San Antonio Rampage on 7 p.m. at Carver Arena. Tickets are available at the Rivermen office by calling 309-676-1040 or online at www.rivermen.net/tickets.

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