ECHL Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen Come Up Big in Trenton with 3-1 Win

April 3, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


Trenton, NJ (April 2, 2005) – The Peoria Rivermen made sure they started playing in the first period Saturday night and not the third, as they beat the Trenton Titans 3-1 in front of 7,508 at the Sovereign Bank Arena.

The Rivermen started their six-game road trip by struggling in the first 40 minutes of each game, which resulted in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Titans on Wednesday and a 3-2 regulation loss to the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies on Friday.

The Titans tied the game 1-1 with 6:26 remaining in regulation. Defenseman Rosario Ruggeri held the puck in at the center point and dished it off to the right point for Stephen Wood. Wood wristed a waist-high shot toward the Peoria goal that Brent Robinson, at the left side of the right face-off circle, tipped down and past Rivermen goaltender Alfie Michaud for his 18th goal of the year.

The Rivermen grabbed their lead right back 1:35 later. Brian McCullough chipped the puck to Jake Riddle, who worked down the left-wing boards in the Trenton zone, cut underneath one defenseman at the face-off circle and then hopped around another just off the left post. In the low slot, Riddle pulled Trenton goaltender Andrew Allen out of position and backhanded his 11th marker of the season inside the right post. It would prove to be the game winner.

Peoria sealed the win on Rivermen Captain Trevor Baker's second goal of the game with Trenton's net empty. Tyler Rennette stole a Titans clearing attempt floating a backhand shot on net from the left face-off circle that Baker, from the top of the goal crease, knocked down as it was heading to the net. It was Baker's 17th goal of the season.

Despite their victory, Peoria (37-23-8, 82 points) remained in fifth place, one behind the archrival Toledo Storm, because Toledo beat the Wheeling Nailers 3-2 on the road on the strength of three unanswered goals. It was the 22nd time the Rivermen had held the opposition to two goals or less in the last 40 games. With the win, Peoria improved to 14-16-3 on the road and picked up its first win in three games (1-1-1) on a critical six-game road trip that will determine its playoff fate. Trenton (38-21-9, 85 points) had its six-game winning streak snapped in the loss and dropped to 22-9-4 at home this season. The Titans finished their seven-game season series with the Rivermen with a 1-4-2 mark.

Michaud (27-11-5) stopped 28 of 29 shots in the win. It was his 10th one-goal game of the year and the 16th time he has held the opposition to a goal or less in a contest this season. Allen (26-11-3) turned away 27 of 29 Peoria chances in defeat.

A couple of minutes after Baker had a goal waved off, he scored one that counted. With Peoria on the power play, Rennette – who had just exited the penalty box, creating the man advantage – took the puck from behind the Rivermen net, carrying it up the left wing through neutral ice and into the Trenton zone. Rennette maneuvered down the left-wing boards and after coming out of the corner found Baker at the left side of the goal crease before heading behind the net. Baker collected the pass and slid to the middle of the top of the goal crease, snapping the puck by Allen. It was Baker's 16th goal of the year.

Tomorrow afternoon – Sunday, April 3, the Rivermen face off against the Reading Royals at 12:05 p.m. CT at the Sovereign Center.

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ECHL Stories from April 3, 2005


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