AHL Peoria Rivermen

Larrson Halts Rivermen With 40 Saves

Published on December 30, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


Peoria, Ill. (December 30, 2008) - The Peoria Rivermen were able to end Daniel Larsson's shutout streak at 140:04, but one goal was all they would get. The Grand Rapids' netminder made 40 saves in the Griffins 3-1 victory over the Peoria Rivermen Tuesday night at Carver Arena.

The loss was the third straight for Peoria and dropped them into a second place tie, five points behind the Milwaukee Admirals in the West Division.

Larsson stopped all 18 shots the Rivermen threw his way during the third period and grabbed 14 of 15 during the middle frame. His 40 saves were second most made against the Rivermen this season, topped by only Hamilton's Marc Denis when he saved 43 shots on Nov. 22. That game was also the only other time the Rivermen have registered more than 40 shots in a game.

Grand Rapids set the tone with a goal on their first shot of the game, a mere eight seconds after the opening faceoff. With a defenseman obstructing the view of goalie Ben Bishop, Jamie Tardif's wrist shot from the right circled sailed into the net for his seventh of the season. It was the only goal in an otherwise evenly matched first period.

Peoria came out firing in the second period and quickly tied the game at 1:45. Chris Conner and Nicholas Drazenovic led the charge of a three-on-two in on Larsson. Drazenovic found a trailing Jonas Junland streaking into the slot for a one-timer and his eighth goal of the season. Conner's assist improved his point streak to six consecutive games, just one shy of the Rivermen season-long set by Steve Regier.

Penalties created the opportunity for the Griffins to quickly tie the game after Andy Wozniewski and Ben Bishop were whistled for penalties within a minute of each other. With the five-on-three advantage, Darren Haydar let go of a slapshot from the slot that ricocheted off the left post and in at 3:46.

Shortly after the midway mark of the second period, the Rivermen were awarded a penalty shot following a Griffin defenseman gloving a puck in the crease. Conner was elected to take the shot but was denied by Larsson at 12:24. It was the second penalty shot taken this year by a Rivermen, the other saw Drazenovic score the game winning goal against Chicago on Dec. 3.

Francis Pare provided the final margin by beating Bishop at 16:02 of the third. The speedy forward chased down the loose puck and after beating Junland around the outside cut in on Bishop and pushed it past his glove.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2008


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