AHL Peoria Rivermen

Chops down Rivermen to open the season

Published on October 10, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


Des Moines, Iowa. (October 10, 2008) - The Iowa Chops exploded for five unanswered goals in the final two periods to defeat the Peoria Rivermen 5-3 in the opening game of the 2008-09 season on Friday night. Julian Talbot scored a pair of goals to help the Rivermen build an early 3-0 lead but five different Chops were able to beat Marek Schwarz an d spoil the AHL head coaching debut of Davis Payne.

It was the first game using the nickname Chops for Iowa after the Stars were renamed following an affiliation change to Anaheim during the offseason.

After a sloppy first five minutes of play a collision between, former Rivermen, Eric Boguniecki and Schwarz seemed to spark Peoria. Eric Neilson responded immediately by roughing up Boguniecki and was assessed a game misconduct for the fight. The scrum shifted momentum and let the Rivermen begin to control the play. Talbot opened the scoring at 13:08 of the opening period on their first of seven power-play opportunities by ripping a shot past the glove of David LeNeveu. Bryan Miller earned his first of two assists on the play with Jim Jackson adding the secondary helper.

Just 2:30 later, the Rivermen struck again with a Brad Winchester tally to help the visitors carry a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. The Talbot - Miller combination struck again at 2:25 of the second frame, this time at even strength, to give the Rivermen some breathing room.

The Chops used a couple of quick power-play goals to cut into the Rivermen lead in the second period. With Brad Winchester off for holding the stick, Josh Green was able to slide one past Schwarz to open the Iowa scoring at 11:11. Less than a minute later Trent Whitfield was penalized and Brian Salcido took advantage to draw his team within one going to the third.

After Bobby Ryan tied the game at 6:19 it was a shorthanded goal that put the Rivermen behind for the first time. Drew Miller stole the puck from a defender at the side of the net and quickly turned it on goal. The puck found its way along the ice, just to the right of the goaltender's skate to put the Chops ahead for good at 8:35. Andrew Ebbett added the insurance marker with just less than five minutes remaining in the game.

Schwarz stopped 26 shots while LeNeveu earned the win by saving 23 of the 26 Rivermen shots.

The same two teams will meet up again on Saturday as the Rivermen open the 27th season of professional hockey in Central Illinois. The puck will drop at 7pm.

It is Heritage Bank Magnet Schedule Night for the first 5,000 fans, and one lucky fan will win a Frigidaire Refrigerator, courtesy of the UFS Downtown Outlet Center, on which to put their magnet.

Fans can also enjoy a pre-game tailgate event - "Smoke The Chops!" - just outside the Jefferson Street entrance of Carver Arena from 5:30-7p.m. It is presented by Alwan & Sons Meat Company, Anheuser-Busch, Brewers Distributing, Coca-Cola and Centerplate.

Check out the Peoria Rivermen Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2008


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