Peoria-Houston Match-up was Closely Contested Battle
January 27, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
Peoria, IL - The final score of a game is not always indicative of how the game played out on the ice. Many times, a team may play quite well, only to lose by a wide margin. Or a squad could be dominated for most of a contest and yet score just enough goals to eke out a close victory that it really does not deserve. In the case of the Peoria Rivermen-Houston Aeros match-up on Friday evening at Carver Arena, however, the final score of 2-1 turned out to be a true reflection of the game, as both teams played well and were evenly matched.
Several final statistics from this game besides the final score ended up quite close. Although they were out-scored 2-1, the Rivermen out-shot the Aeros by a count of 27-26. Both teams racked up 20 minutes in penalties on 10 separate infractions. Peoria and Houston both also enjoyed five power-play opportunities but were unable to convert on any of them. The difference between a win and a loss in this tilt was razor-thin, and, unfortunately for the Rivermen, they came out on the losing end of things.
With the loss, Peoria falls to 23-17-1-2 on the season and to 13-7-0-1 at home in Carver Arena. Houston, meanwhile, improves its Western Conference-leading overall record to 33-12-1-1, and the club's road mark now stands at 13-8-0-0.
The Aeros struck first in this tilt, about midway through the opening period. Skating the puck down the right-wing boards in the Peoria zone, Houston right wing Matt Foy carried it to the goalline near the right post of the goal before throwing it in front. Having cut to the goalmouth from the left circle, center Rem Murray tapped the puck into the open net behind Rivermen goaltender Patrick Lalime for a 1-0 Aeros lead on Murray's ninth goal of the season 8:12 into the game.
Just more than one minute later, the Aeros extended their lead to 2-0. Left wing Bill Kinkel brought the puck into the Rivermen zone on the right side and, with no other option available, fired an off-foot wrist shot from the inner edge of the right circle that found the back of the Peoria goal over Lalime's right shoulder. The first goal of the year for Kinkel came at the 9:20 mark of the first frame.
Shortly thereafter, the Rivermen pared the Aeros' advantage down to 2-1 after Peoria winger D. J. King extracted the puck off of the end boards in the right corner of the Houston zone and moved it to right wing Jon DiSalvatore at the top of the right circle. DiSalvatore then quickly sent a pass into the slot, where forward Mike Glumac stopped the puck with his left skate and proceeded to wire it through the five-hole of Aeros goalie Miroslav Kopriva at 10:01 of the first period. The goal was the 23rd tally of the year for the AHL All-Star Glumac.
The Rivermen will now wait to take on the Grand Rapids Griffins at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday evening at Carver Arena.
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American Hockey League Stories from January 27, 2006
- San Antonio defeats Chicago - San Antonio Rampage
- Peoria-Houston Match-up was Closely Contested Battle - Peoria Rivermen
- Griffins Beat Knights By A Nose, 3-2 - Abbotsford Heat
- Norfolk can't bear Hershey's five-goal third - Norfolk Admirals
- Monarchs Maimed By Marlies - Manchester Monarchs
- Monsters Ravage Wolf Pack 8-2 - Albany Devils
- Kopriva, defense dominate; Vince Young drops puck Saturday! - Houston Aeros
- Moose Squeak Out Of Spectrum With 2-1 Overtime Win - Adirondack Phantoms
- Griffins defeat Knights - Grand Rapids Griffins
- P-Bruins Earn 500th Franchise Victory - Providence Bruins
- Rissmiller Franchise Leader in Points - Admirals Top Barons, 5-4 - Cleveland Barons
- Bears rally to defeat Norfolk 7-4 at Norfolk Scope - Hershey Bears
- Sound Tigers Stumble In Providence 4-1 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Roster Shuffle Precedes Three Game Weekend - Bridgeport Islanders
- Aeros jersey auction information - Houston Aeros
- Mediacom Connections Channel to carry AHL All-Star Game - Iowa Chops
- Wolves Send Hurme to Columbia - Chicago Wolves
- Wolf Pack Announce TV Schedule - Connecticut Whale
- Kostitsyn rejoins Bulldogs - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Upshall Reassigned to Milwaukee - Milwaukee Admirals
- Falcons Acquire Travis Brigley - Springfield Falcons
- Rampage GameDay - Grand Rapids Griffins
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- Crunch Players To Appear at DealMaker in Watertown - Syracuse Crunch
- Road trip ends in Peoria - Houston Aeros
- 2006 Rbk Hockey AHL All-Star Classic Information - Hamilton Bulldogs
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