AHL Peoria Rivermen

Porter Catches Fire in 5-2 Rivermen Win

Published on October 24, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


PEORIA, Il - Chris Porter had a hand in the first three goals of the game for Peoria as the Rivermen picked up a 5-2 win over the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday night. A crowd of 5,792 fans were on hand to see the Rivermen improve to 4-2-1-1 with their second consecutive win against the IceHogs.

The Rivermen broke open the scoring first at 13:05 of the first when Porter picked up a loose rebound in the slot and fired it past IceHogs goaltender Corey Crawford for his first of the night and third goal of the season. Adrian Veideman, who took the initial shot, and Jonas Junland both picked up helpers on the goal.

Rockford would not get on the board for the first time until 3:59 of the second. Ben Bishop ventured out of his net to poke-check puck carrier Jack Skille, which led to a collision and an easy empty net goal for Mark Cullen, his team-leading fifth of the year.

A great pass from Porter, behind the net and put the Rivermen back on top at 2-1 9:51 into the second. Porter found a crashing Aaron Palushaj just outside the Rockford crease for Palushaj's first goal of the season. Junland was credited with his second assist of the game on the play.

Despite being dominated in the shot department, 16-6, Rockford tied it up with just 13 seconds left in the period. Skille scored his second goal of the year when he fired a wrist shot under Bishop.

Porter found the back of the net, with the eventual game-winner, for the second time to give the Rivermen a 3-2 third period lead. Palushaj and Cam Paddock teamed up to find Porter in front of the net, who fired home a shot into a wide open side of the net.

The Rivermen added some insurance with 4:41 left in the third when Nicholas Drazenovic made an excellent move and pass to a wide open Lars Eller on the far side of the net who put it home past a helpless Corey Crawford. It was Eller's second goal of the year.

Junland completed his three-point night with a power-play tally with 30 seconds left in the game. With a five-on-three power play, Junland's one-timer went high over Crawford's glove for his fifth goal of the year. Drazenovic and Steve Wagner each received an assist, as the Rivermen finished the game 1-for-8 on the man advantage. After finishing the first period tied with a 11 shots aside, the Rivermen out-shot the IceHogs 30-13 over the last two periods of the game.

Porter, Palushaj and Junland all finished with multi-point games while Bishop earned his third win of the season with a 22 save performance. Crawford stopped 36 of 41 in the loss for Rockford.

The Rivermen hit the road for three games next weekend as they visit Lake Erie on Friday and Saturday before heading to Hamilton on Sunday. Friday night's game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CST. All games can be heard live on Hippe Radio 101.1FM as well as online through www.rivermen.net.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2009


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