AHL Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen Comeback Ends in 5-4 Overtime Loss

Published on December 5, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


Trailing 4-0 midway through the game, the Peoria Rivermen rattled off four unanswered goals of their own to force overtime before falling to the Milwaukee Admirals on Sunday at Carver Arena. Nathan Oystrick's four points (2g, 2a) and T.J Hensick's three third-period assists were not enough for the win, but extended Peoria's point streak to a season-long nine games (7-0-2).

Peoria scored a pair of power-play goals within 13 seconds of one another to put the Rivermen within one at 12:56 of the third before Oystrick slammed in the game-tying goal with 1:39 left. The three quick goals was the Rivermen response to Milwaukee's three goals in 3:03 that they posted during the second frame.

Jake Allen took the loss for the Rivermen with 23 saves on 28 shots while his record dropped to 9-1-1 on the season.

The Admirals first goal came late in the first period on a power-play goal from Aaron Johnson at 15:29. Johnson received a pass from Jonathan Blum near the bottom of the left circle and his one timer was able to get by a sliding Allen for Johnson's first of two in the game.

Johnson scored his second of the game and sixth of the year during four-on-four play in a two-on-one with Jonathan Blum. Linus Klasen scored his team leading 12th at 11:19 and Blake Geoffrion followed up with his first goal of the year on the power play just 39 seconds later.

The Rivermen response was swift as Nathan Oystrick buried his fifth of the year on a wrist shot in the slot over the glove of Jeremy Smith at 12:34. Ryan Reaves and Brett Sonne each recorded assists on the goal.

A string of Admirals penalties led to a pair of Rivermen 5-on-3's. Mark Santorelli, Mike Bartlett and Blake Geoffrion all took minors within 3:10 of one another. Hensick setup Derek Nesbitt on a cross-crease pass for his second power-play goal in as many games at 12:43. Nikita Nikitin blasted a slapshot past Smith from the high slot just 13 seconds later to put the Rivermen back within one.

Hensick setup Oystrick's second goal on a similar cross-ice pass to the defenseman creeping in from the right point. Oystrick's fourth point matched Graham Mink's performance (1g, 3a) on Oct. 15 as the only two Rivermen this season to record four points in a game. Hensick also matched Mink, and Dave Scatchard, for the Rivermen season-high in assists with three.

The game ended 2:17 into overtime on Teemu Laakso's second goal of the season. His shot, from just inside the blueline, deflected off the crossbar and down into the net for the game-winner.

The Rivermen outshot Milwaukee 35-28 in the game and the only shot on goal in the extra frame was Laakso's tally. Each team finished at 2-for-5 on the power play.

Smith earned the win for Milwaukee stopping 31 shots for his third victory of the season.

The Rivermen will host the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 7:05 p.m. Peoria will honor the life of Rivermen Hall of Famer Michel Mongeau with a pregame ceremony and a commemorative canvas will be given away to the first 2,500 fans in attendance. It is also the annual Teddy Bear Toss and Coats for Kids drive to benefit the Crittenton Centers and the Salvation Army. For more information or to purchase tickets call 309-676-1040 or visit www.rivermen.net.

Check out the Peoria Rivermen Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2010


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