
Monsters Rally Back to Beat Rivermen 3-2
Published on February 10, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
Although Jonathan Cheechoo notched his second two assists to help the Peoria Rivermen build an early 2-0 lead, the Lake Erie Monsters scored three unanswered goals to win 3-2 before 5,565 on Friday night at Carver Arena.
Patrick Rissmiller scored the game-winning goal with 2:18 remaining in regulation after Brett Sonne was sent to the box for slashing just 47 seconds earlier. The Monsters finished the game 2-for-5 on the power play while Peoria was 1-for-3.
Peoria dropped to 24-21-2-1 for 51 points and sit in ninth in the Western Conference, two points behind Rochester for the final playoff spot.
Anthony Nigro opened the scoring at 4:36 in the first period with his ninth of the year. Cheechoo left a drop-pass for Nigro in the slot who sent the puck past Gerald Coleman for the tally.
Peoria added their second goal of the game at 1:44 in the second period. T.J. Hensick sent home a rebound following shots from Derek Nesbitt and Cheechoo while on the power play. The goal gave Hensick 17 goals and 57 points on the year - most in the Western Conference.
The Monsters countered at 8:29 on Dean Strong's first goal of the season. Strong followed up a rebound from the slot to bring Lake Erie within one. Former Rivermen Danny Richmond tied the game at 19:12 on a one-timer from between the circles. Luke Walker cruised around the back of the net and fed Richmond in the slot who beat Ben Bishop with a low shot along the ice.
Rissmiller's power-play goal at 17:42 in the third period proved to be the difference in Lake Erie's fourth win in five games.
Bishop stopped 20 of 23 shots on goal in the loss while Coleman allowed two goals on 34 shots. Peoria finished the season series with a 2-2-0 with the Monsters.
The Rivermen return to action Saturday night at Carver Arena, against the Charlotte Checkers, with a 7 p.m. start. Tickets are available and can be purchased through www.rivermen.net or by calling 309-676-1040.
American Hockey League Stories from February 10, 2012
- Monsters End Road Trip with Come-From-Behind Win - Cleveland Monsters
- Admirals Fall in OT to Checkers - Milwaukee Admirals
- Falcons Fall Short to Whale in OT - Springfield Falcons
- Salak Returns, Makes 27 Saves in 2-1 Win - Rockford IceHogs
- Monsters Rally Back to Beat Rivermen 3-2 - Peoria Rivermen
- Houston's Three-Goal First Period Sinks Griffins - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Amerks Offense Erupts in 9-4 Win Over Texas - Rochester Americans
- Dalpe's Overtime Goal Sinks Milwaukee - Charlotte Checkers
- Whale defeat Springfield in OT - Connecticut Whale
- Wolves Edged in Rockford, 2-1 - Chicago Wolves
- Devos and Tokarski Team up in Shutout of Phantoms - Norfolk Admirals
- Crunch Fall to Bears in Niittymaki's Debut - Syracuse Crunch
- Phantoms Open Big Road-Trip - Adirondack Phantoms
- Ste-Fans Cheer - Manchester Monarchs
- Bulldogs fall to Devils - Hamilton Bulldogs
- P-Bruins Defeat Pirates 6-3 - Providence Bruins
- Devils Hold on for 4-2 Win - Albany Devils
- Second Period Surge Leads Americans Past Stars 9-4 - Texas Stars
- 500 Will Have to Wait - Worcester Sharks
- Robak Leads Rampage to 5-4 OT Victory Over Marlies - San Antonio Rampage
- Flames Recall Horak - Abbotsford Heat
- Admirals Present Weddings on Ice II on Valentine's Day - Milwaukee Admirals
- Columbus Blue Jackets Place Defensemen Brett Lebda, Marc Methot on Injured Reserve; Recall Defensema - Springfield Falcons
- Admirals Set 2012-13 Ticket Prices - Milwaukee Admirals
- Checkers Discontinue Use of Gary Glitter Goal Song - Charlotte Checkers
- Griffins Go Purple Next Saturday against Peoria - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Saturday's IceHogs-Wolves Game Sold Out - Rockford IceHogs
- Kings Announce Player Transactions - Manchester Monarchs
- Sound Tigers to Host Bowl-A-Thon on February 29 in Support of St. Vincent's Special Needs Services - Bridgeport Islanders
- Griffins Trade Estoclet to Heat - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Community Players of the Month Announced - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Blackhawks Recall Olsen, Danis-Pepin Reassigned to Rockford - Rockford IceHogs
- Heat Acquire Estoclet, Reassign Dowling - Abbotsford Heat
- Monarchs Sign Crowder - Manchester Monarchs
- Schnell and Chupp Return to Wheeling - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- B-Sens to Raise Money for Jack Jablonski - Binghamton Senators
- Falcons Host the Whale Tonight - Springfield Falcons
- Gameday Preview - Texas at Rochester - Texas Stars
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Peoria Rivermen Stories
- Rivermen Reveal 2026-27 Home Dates
- Peoria's Season Ends in 6-4 Loss to Evansville for President's Cup Crown
- Rivermen Fall 3-1 in Evansville - Sets up Decisive Game Five in Peoria
- Peoria Comeback Effort Falls Short in Game Three
- Rivermen Shut out Knoxville 1-0 to Clinch Series - Will Face Evansville in President's Cup Finals

