AHL Peoria Rivermen

Mannino Stifles Rivermen In 4-1 Loss

December 31, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


PEORIA, Ill. (December 31, 2009) - The Peoria Rivermen finished 2009 scratching their heads after Chicago Wolves' goaltender Peter Mannino stopped 45 of their 46 shots in a 4-1 loss on Thursday night at Carver Arena. Peoria's 46 shots on goal and 23 in the third period alone both set new season highs

Despite suffering their second consecutive loss, the Rivermen finished the month of December with a 9-4-0 record. It was the first time they have dropped back-to-back games since Nov. 21 and 25 when they fell to Chicago and Abbotsford.

Chicago grabbed a commanding 3-0 in the first period with goals from Joey Crabb, Tim Stapleton, and Kevin Doell. Just 3:10 into the game, Crabb notched his eighth of the season while on the power play. Exactly 10 minutes later, Stapleton wristed one under the glove of Ben Bishop from a sharp angle to give the Wolves a 2-0 lead. Crabb earned his second point of the night with an assist on Stapleton's 16th of the year.

Doell increased the Wolves lead with his fifth at 16:53. Chris Chelios served a puck across the zone for a Doell one-timer that snuck through a screen and into the net.

Brett Sterling scored with just 2:11 left in the second to give the Wolves a 4-0 edge to take to the third period. He converted on a turnover in front of the Rivermen goal and lifted his team-leading 17th of the season over his shoulder. It was Sterling's 24th goal in 27 career games against Peoria.

It took nearly the entire third for Peoria to crack Mannino who improved to 2-0-0 against the Rivermen. With the Rivermen on the power play and Bishop on the bench in favor of the extra attacker, Julian Talbot deflected in an Adam Cracknell shot with just 37.6 seconds left. It was Talbot's 10th goal in his last 18 games after scoring just one in his first 15 of the season.

After a day off on Friday the two teams will play once again in Chicago on Saturday. They will meet four times in the month of January with the next three meetings all at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill.

The next Rivermen home game in Friday, Dec. 8 as the Toronto Marlies make their only trip of the year to Carver Arena. Call 309-676-1040 for more tickets or visit www.rivermen.net.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2009


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