AHL Peoria Rivermen

Last Second Goal Helps Rivermen to Perfect Road Trip

December 4, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


Derek Nesbitt's goal with 13.5 seconds left in regulation sent the game to overtime where the Peoria Rivermen defeated the Lake Erie Monsters 3-2 in a shootout. It pushed Peoria's point streak to eight games (7-0-1) and their road record to 9-3-0-1 as they finished their trip 4-0-0 with wins in Rockford, Grand Rapids, Hamilton and Lake Erie.

With the net empty, and on a power play, T.J. Hensick sent a cross-ice pass right to the doorstep for Nesbitt's fourth goal of the season. It was the first time this season that the Rivermen scored with the extra attacker on the ice.

Ben Bishop turned aside 22 shots in regulation and overtime before he stopped four of five Monster shooters in the shootout.

The Rivermen scored the first goal of the game at 16:49 of the opening frame. Phil McRae won a draw in the Lake Erie zone; Mark Cundari then slid it to Jake Gannon who wristed a shot from the right point where McRae was able to redirect it past John Grahame. It was McRae's team-leading ninth of the year and Gannon's first point in a Rivermen sweater in 14 games. Mark Cundari also added his 10th assist of the year on the goal.

Just as it looked like the Rivermen were going to carry the 1-0 lead into the third period, the Monsters converted with 5 seconds to go in the second. Matt Ford received a pass from Patrick Rissmiller in front and buried his eighth of the year. David Liffiton added an assist on the equalizer.

Peoria's first power play of the game didn't come until 10:17 of the third period and it led to the Monster's first lead of the game. At 11:37, Mike Carman stripped Phil McRae at the blueline, went in all alone on Bishop, made a move to the backhand and finished with a shot off the crossbar and in. It was his fourth shorthanded goal of the year and the team's league-leading seventh.

The shots were even, 4-4, in overtime but the Rivermen were forced to kill off a power play in the extra session. Their 4-for-4 performance elevated Peoria's penalty kill to 89.2 percent, second to only Oklahoma City.

In the shootout, Nathan Oystrick and Hensick both improved to 2-for-2 in shootouts this season with goals while Bishop took care of the rest.

The Rivermen head back to Carver Arena on Sunday to take on the Milwaukee Admirals at 5:05 p.m. All kids 12 and under can get tickets in the upper bowl for just $1 while hot dogs, chips and Cokes will be available for just $1 from 4-5 p.m. After the game kids can skate with the team. For more information or tickets call 309-676-1040 or visit www.rivermen.net.

Check out the Peoria Rivermen Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from December 4, 2010


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