AHL Peoria Rivermen

Last Second Goal Lifts Rivermen Over Griffins

Published on December 30, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


Ben Bishop made 40 saves and Danny Syvret scored the game-winning goal in overtime to lead the Peoria Rivermen to a 4-3 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday night at Van Andel Arena. T.J. Hensick's goal in the final minutes of regulation evened the score before Syvret's scored with only 10.7 seconds left in overtime.

The Rivermen improved their record of 15-15-2-1 and have earned points in five of their last six games.

The Rivermen opened up the scoring with 6:09 remaining in the first period. Tyler Shattock first shot was blocked but he threw the rebound towards the net from the corner that hit Griffin's goaltender Jordan Pearce and went in. The goal, Shattock's fifth of the year and second in as many games, was assisted by Stefan Della Rovere and Brett Ponich.

Peoria extended their lead at the 19:38 mark of the first. Jay Barriball fed Cade Fairchild in the high slot and Fairchild's shot went under the blocker of Pearce, off the post, and into the net.

The Griffins were able to score three goals in under a five-minute span in the second period to make it a 3-2 contest. Francis Pare scored his fifth goal of the year at 4:14 and at 6:34 Brendan Smith scored a shorthanded goal to tie the game. Less than three minutes later Mitch Callahan tapped in a rebound opportunity to give Grand Rapids their first lead of the night at 9:08. Brent Raedeke and Fabian Brunnstrom contributed assists on the play.

An injury to Pearce brought Joey MacDonald into the Griffin's net with only 4:03 left in regulation. Following a Grand Rapids penalty, Hensick converted o the power play with only 3:02 left. Hensick tried to force a pass through the top of the crease when it deflected in on off a Grand Rapids defender. It was his 11th goal of the season, from Jonathan Cheechoo and Brett Sterling.

Syvret won the game with a turnaround wrist shot from the high-slot at 4:49 of overtime. Hensick and Jay Barriball both earned their second points of the night with the assists.

Grand Rapids outshot Peoria 43 to 34 tonight. The Rivermen went 1-for-4 on the man advantage while the Griffins failed to convert on their three power-play opportunities.

The Rivermen host the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. Ring in 2012 with $12 tickets available at the box office from noon until 4 p.m. For more information call 309-676-1040 or visit www.rivermen.net.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2011


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