AHL Peoria Rivermen

Four-Goal Comeback Ends in OT Loss

Published on March 9, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


SAN ANTONIO (March 9, 2010) - The Peoria Rivermen scored the final four goals of regulation to force overtime but fell 6-5 to the San Antonio Rampage at the AT&T Center on Tuesday night. Pascal Pelletier (goal, two assists) and Brett Sonne (three assists) led the attack for the Rivermen while Joe Fallon made 22 saves in relief of Ben Bishop in goal.

David Spina scored the hat trick for the Rampage, which included the game-winner at 1:21 of overtime. Joel Perrault and Spina converted a 2-on-0 break just moments after Josh Tordjman denied Nicholas Drazenovic from just outside the crease.

Each team finished with three power-play goals while the two teams combined for 91 shots in the game (48-33 Rampage).

Peoria's comeback started with 1:50 left in the second period and took just 14:35 to complete. Sonne's first of three assists setup Pelletier for his 12th of the season at 18:10 of the second on the power play to draw the Rivermen back to 5-2. Just 58 seconds later Barry Tallackson wristed one through a Drazenovic screen to put the Rivermen within two at the end of the second period.

Another power-play goal for Jonas Junland closed the gap to one at 5:50 of the third. It was Junland's 13th of the season and 10th power-play goal. After a scramble that Tordjman down on the ice, Derek Armstrong found Junland open for an slapshot at the top of the circle.

Julian Talbot tied the game at 5-5 with 7:15 remaining in regulation. Sonne walked the puck out of the corner and forced it on goal from a sharp angle. Tordjman made the initial save but Talbot battled through a pair of defenders to push home the rebound.

The Rampage took the 5-1 lead courtesy of four unanswered goals of their own. With the score tied at 1-1, Spina notched his first with only 48 seconds remaining in the opening period. The lead grew to 4-1 when Ryan Reaves was boxed for cross-checking and unsportsmanlike conduct which created a 4 minute power-play for San Antonio. They scored on both halves with Spina wristing one past Bishop at 7:17 and Picard jamming in a wraparound at 9:09.

That signaled the end of the night for Bishop. He was pulled after 20 saves on 24 shots in 29:09 of work. It was just the second time this season in which Bishop had been taken out of the game. Fallon came in for his second appearance as a Rivermen and allowed a goal on the very first shot he faced. MacGregor Sharp was left alone in front of the net and roofed a shot over Fallon's right shoulder.

Fallon finished with 22 saves on 24 shots in 32:12. He made some strong stops down the stretch including a breakaway that kept it 5-4 Rampage midway through the third.

Lars Eller scored Peoria's first goal from Pelletier and Junland at 18:42. It extended his goal streak to four games and he now as 13 on the season. Pelletier and Eller are tied for the team lead in points with 43 while Pelletier took over the team lead in assists with his 30th and 31st.

The Rivermen road trip shifts to the Cedar Park Center on Wednesday when Peoria faces the third-place Texas Stars at 7:30 p.m. All games can be heard on Hippie 101.1 FM or online through www.rivermen.net. The next home game for Peoria will be on March 21 for a Comcast/Journal Star/Fun on the Run/Coke Family Day. For tickets or more information stop by the Rivermen office, call 309-676-1040 or visit www.rivermen.net/tickets.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 9, 2010


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