Northern Conference Showdown Set for Peoria
February 17, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
The Rivermen went 2-0-0 last week, sweeping a pair of games against division rival Wheeling and holding on to the top spot in the Northwest Division, the Northern Conference and the ECHL. Peoria's record is now 36-13-3, good for 75 points, one ahead of NW Division foe Toledo and two ahead of NE Division foe Atlantic City. Peoria's 17 road wins remains the most of any of the teams in the league.
On Friday the Rivermen blew open a 2-1 game by scoring two 2nd period goals in under two minutes and added four in the 3rd period including two in the game's final minute. Brendan Brooks and Randy Copley each scored twice for the home team, while Darren Clark, Tyler Rennette, Chad Starling and Bret DeCecco counted for the other four goals. The eight goals was the most scored by the Rivermen since a November 16, 7-3 win at Wheeling.
Saturday's rematch became the Tyler McCay show as he gave the Nailers chance after chance to beat the league-leaders. McCay stopped 9 of Peoria's 10 first period shots, allowing Randy Rowe to tie the game with 4:46 left in the frame. Jason Lawmaster would break the tie at the 12:40 mark of the 2nd period and Tyler Rennette would add an empty netter with 36 seconds left in regulation. McCay stopped 25 of the 27 shots he faced but a stingy Rivermen defense only allowed the visiting Nailers 13 shots on goal, including only three in the 3rd.
This weekend the Rivermen will host three games in three nights including a Northern Conference showdown series with Atlantic City.
For the fifth time this season the Rivermen will face-off against division rival Dayton. Peoria has lost once in the first four games, a 4-2 decision on December 29 at the Nutter Center. The Bombers are 19-26-8 this season, posting a 7-12-4 road record. The Bombers will travel to Lexington on Tuesday before coming to Carver Arena on Friday. The 2001-02 Northern Conference Champions are currently on a three-game losing streak.
The Rivermen will face-off twice against the current Northeast Division leading Boardwalk Bullies to close out the week. Atlantic City hosts Richmond this afternoon and travels to Cincinnati on Friday before the games in Peoria. The Boardwalk Bullies are 31-10-11 following last weekend's action a sit atop the NE Division, six points better than the Greensboro Generals. Atlantic City averages 3.73 goals per game, the second best in the ECHL. The Rivermen allow the least goals per game at 2.54.
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