AHL Peoria Rivermen

Junland Nets Two In Overtime Win

Published on October 4, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


PEORIA, Ill. (October 4, 2009) - Jonas Junland's second goal of the game came at 2:55 of overtime to give the Peoria Rivermen a 3-2 win over the Rockford IceHogs on Sunday afternoon. After trailing 2-0 within the first 10 minutes of the game, the Rivermen came storming back for their first win of the young season.

Peoria's special teams played an important role in the victory with the penalty kill unit nullifying five of Rockford's six power plays, including one that spanned the final 40 seconds of regulation and the first 1:20 of overtime. The Rivermen power play was 2-for-5.

It was the fourth straight regular season meeting between the two clubs that was not decided in regulation and seven of the 19 all-time meetings have been decided in either overtime or a shootout.

Danny Bois opened the scoring by snapping the IceHogs' second shot of the game past the blocker of Hannu Toivonen. At 3:05, a breakdown in the Rivermen zone led to Bois being alone in the slot after taking a pass from Bracken Kearns. Bois was also involved in the Rockford's second goal, just 6:33 later. With the 'Hogs on a two-man advantage, Bois pushed a pass to Mark Cullen who then found Derek Nesbitt in the right circle. Nesbitt slapped one just over the pad and under the glove of Toivonen to give Rockford a 2-0 cushion.

Still in the first period, a friendly bounce cut the lead in half at 16:04. In the dying seconds of a 4 minute power play for the Rivermen, a flurry of action around the net of Joe Fallon pushed the puck to the end wall. From against the boards, Junland fired the puck back towards the crease looking for Yan Stastny or Lars Eller but found Fallon's stick and it deflected into the net.

A tripping minor against Brian Connelly in the opening minute of the second period set the stage for Barry Tallackson to tie the game. Just 38 seconds into the advantage, Danny Richmond found Tallackson streaking to the goal for a one-timer and his first goal as a Rivermen.

Back and forth action continued for the next 38 minutes and the two teams found themselves in overtime with Rockford on the 4-on-3 advantage. Following the important kill, Nicholas Drazenovic and Brendan Bell both had shots stopped before Junland picked up the loose puck and found the back of the net. It was the second multi-goal game in Junland's career, both have come against Rockford. He had two power-play goals on Nov. 28, 2008 in a Peoria win.

Both Toivonen and Fallon turned in solid outings with them both seeing 34 shots in the game. Toivonen's best save came in the opening minute of overtime as he needed a full split to rob multiple attempts at a puck inside the crease. He was named the No. 2 star of the game behind Junland.

The Milwaukee Admirals will make their first trip of the season to Peoria on Friday at 7 p.m. It is the first $2 Bud and Bud Light Night with discounted drinks available while beer is sold. Tickets are available at the Civic Center box office, by calling the Rivermen at (309) 676-1040 or online at www.rivermen.net.

Check out the Peoria Rivermen Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from October 4, 2009


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