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Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen Beat Milwaukee 4-3 in Shootout

October 9, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


PEORIA, Ill. (October 9, 2009) - A rematch of the top two West Division teams from last season ended in reverse order on Friday night as the Peoria Rivermen downed the Milwaukee Admirals, 4-3, in a shootout at Carver Arena. Ben Bishop made 23 saves in regulation, and stopped four of five shooters in the shootout, in his first regular season start since Feb. 22.

It took a game-tying goal from Cam Paddock halfway through the third period to send the game into overtime after the Rivermen had 1-0 and 2-1 leads slip away.

Lars Eller collected his first professional North American goal to give the Rivermen an early lead in the first period. Aaron Palushaj's backhand shot was stopped by Mark Dekanich but he failed to cover the puck, leaving it exposed for Eller to jam home. A penalty to D.J. King, assigned prior to the game on a conditioning assignment, took a slashing penalty that led to the Admirals first goal. With King in the box, Dave Scatchard tipped a Robert Dietrich shot past Bishop to tie the game at 13:23 of the first.

Jonas Junland, who had two goals in Sunday's 3-2 OT win over Rockford, struck again on Friday with the only goal of the second period. At 4:57, Junland put a shot, from the bottom of the left circle, between the legs of Dekanich and in for his team-leading third goal and fourth point of the year. Eller and Brendan Bell were credited with the assists on Junland's power-play marker.

The opening minutes of the third period turned the game on its end as the Admirals stole two quick goals and took their first lead of the game. Just 20 seconds from the opening faceoff, Cal O'Reilly set up Andreas Thurresson from behind the net for his first goal of the year. Just 3:03 later, Milwaukee took the lead amidst some controversy. After Peter Olvecky appeared to enter the zone offsides but play was allowed to continue and Olvecky slipped on past Bishop just seconds later. Much to the dismay of the Rivermen bench and the 3,215 fans in attendance, the goal was allowed to count.

At with only 9:53 remaining in regulation, Julian Talbot set up Paddock for the game-preserving goal. Following a Ryan Reaves hit that left Nolan Yonkman unable to cover Paddock, Talbot found him just outside the crease for the tap in. It was the first point of the season for both Paddock and Talbot.

After a scoreless overtime, Peoria bested Milwaukee 2-1 in the five-round shootout. Both teams were scoreless through their first three shooters and after a miss by Robert Dietrich, Aaron Palushaj went five-hole on Dekanich and gave the Rivermen a chance to win. Mark Santorelli tied the game with the next shot only to have Nicholas Drazenovic end it moments later by wristing one between the legs of Dekanich.

Both teams finished 1-for-4 on the power play.

The same two teams will get together on Wednesday in Peoria, with neither team playing a game in between. Game time is set for 7 p.m. as the Rivermen continue their season-long five-game home stand to start the season.

Single game tickets are now on sale as well as full and partial season ticket packages through the team's office at the Peoria Civic Center by calling (309) 676-1040. Don't miss out on great perks for full-season ticket holders like monetary savings, free weekday bonus tickets, unused ticket redemption, team events, and more! Visit www.rivermen.net/tickets for more information.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 9, 2009


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