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Peoria Rivermen

Pearce, Griffins Blank Rivermen 3-0

March 8, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


Jordan Pearce stopped all 36 Peoria Rivermen shots for his career AHL shutout as the Grand Rapids Griffins won 3-0 on Tuesday night at Carver Arena. A five-on-three power-play goal from Brendan Smith late in the first period stood up as the game-winner.

With the loss the Rivermen move to 35-24-2-4 on the year while their 76 points keep them in fourth place in the West Division, trailing Texas (77), Houston (79), and Milwaukee (81).

The Griffins were able to convert first with Jared Ross and Dean Arsene in the box and just 20.2 seconds remaining in the opening frame. Chris Minard's shot was stopped by Allen and the rebound skipped to the right of the crease where Jamie Johnson collected the puck and sent a pass through the crease to Brendan Smith who slammed home his 11th of the year.

The Griffins took a two-goal lead midway through the final frame on Brent Raedeke's sixth goal of the year from Doug Janik and Travis Ehrhardt. Janik's shot from the left point was cut off by Raedeke just outside the crease before he turned a backhand shot around Allen along the ice.

Johnson scored his 10th of the year on a delayed penalty minutes later at 12:51. Jan Mursak slid a pass from the slot to Johnson at the bottom of the left circle and he wristed a shot past a sprawling Allen. Derek Meech picked up the second assist on the goal.

Peoria committed a season-low two minor penalties but the Griffins went 1-for-2 on the man advantage. The Rivermen finished 0-for-3. Jake Allen stopped 32 of 35 Griffins shots in the loss.

The Rivermen travel to Chicago on Wednesday for the first of a two-game series with the Wolves at Allstate Arena. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. and the game can be heard locally on 96.5 ESPN in Peoria or online at www.rivermen.net.

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