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Peoria Rivermen

Monsters Hang on for 4-3 Win

March 20, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


Three unanswered goals helped pave the way for Lake Erie on Sunday night at Carver Arena as the Monsters topped the Rivermen 4-3. Akim Aliu's late power-play goal brought the Rivermen within one, but it was Greg Mauldin's 15th goal of the year midway through the final frame proved to be the game winner.

With the loss the Rivermen (37-27-7, 81 pts) are now in a three-way tie for fourth place in the West Division with the Oklahoma City Barons and Chicago Wolves. The Rivermen have nine games remaining in the regular season and host the San Antonio Rampage and Hamilton Bulldogs for three games next weekend.

Graham Mink put the Rivermen on the board first with his 22nd of the year right off a faceoff win by Chris Langkow. After the puck was pushed through the legs of the Monsters center, Mink corralled the puck and lifted a wrist shot over the shoulder of John Grahame at the 7:22 mark of the opening frame.

The Monsters responded on their first power-play of the night when Julian Talbot tipped in Julien Brouliette's wrist shot to the left of Jake Allen. Talbot's 11th of the year came 11:59 into the first period.

The Monsters took their first lead of the game at the 6:51 mark of the middle frame when Matthew Ford found a loose puck in the crease and tapped in his team leading 21st of the season. And 4 minutes later David Van der Gulik's wrist shot from the high slot found the back of the net, putting the Monsters up 3-1.

At the 4:19 mark of the third Anthony Nigro cut the Monsters lead in half when he slammed home a blocked shot in front of Grahame for his seventh of the year. Daryl Boyle and Derek Nesbitt were credited with the assists.

Mauldin put the Monsters back up by a pair roofing a shot over the glove of Allen for his 15th of the year at the 11:40 mark. Akim Aliu tallied with 25 seconds left on the power-play with the Peoria net empty, but it was not enough as the Monsters prevailed 4-3.

The Rivermen outshot the Monsters 33-31 in the contest and finished 1-for-5 on the man advantage.

The Rivermen welcome the San Antonio Rampage to Carver Arena Friday at 7:05 p.m. for the first game of a two-game set. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive an Ameren Illinois reusable tote bag. Tickets are available through www.rivermen.net or by calling 309-676-1040.

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