Rivermen Comeback Falls Just Short in 4-3 Loss
January 31, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
Peoria, Il - The Iowa Chops edged the Peoria Rivermen 4-3 at Carver Arena on Saturday night to split the two-game series. Steve Regier scored his team leading 15th and 16th goals of the season, but the Chops withstood a third period comeback attempt to down the Rivermen (24-21-1-1) for the fifth time in seven meetings. Peoria sits in sixth place in the West Division, only three points behind third-place Iowa.
The Chops (23-18-2-5) were the only team to dent the back of the cage in the first period. Only 26 seconds into their second power play of the night, Petteri Wirtanen hurled the puck through the slot from behind the net to hit Eric Boguniecki for a one-timer at 7:53.
A pileup in front of the Rivermen net resulted in a couple roughing minors issued to Kirk MacDonald and Trent Whitfield at 19:01. The Chops benefited from the ensuing four-on-four as they intercepted a pass intended for Jonas Junland and turned a two-on-one rush into a 2-0 lead. Andy Wozniewski was the only Rivermen back, but he was unable to prevent Wirtanen from scoring his sixth goal of the season.
The middle frame started on a positive note for the Rivermen as Regier notched a four-on-three power play goal 43 seconds into the period to cut Iowa's lead in half. Julian Talbot skated in uncontested and wristed one off the post, and Regier poked the loose puck just past the goal line for first of the night.
Troy Bodie added some insurance by hitting the back of an empty Rivermen net at 7:32. Ben Bishop was stuck at the side of the net and the puck squirted right to Bodie, who scored his eighth goal on the season. Ajay Baines added to the Chops' lead after scoring on the power play from the bottom of the right circle.
Despite facing a 4-1 deficit, the Rivermen narrowed the gap in the final period. Regier, who has four goals in his last three games, made it a 4-2 contest at 2:23 by posting his second power play goal from Junland and Steve Wagner. Peoria got within one when Justin Fletcher smacked a puck from just inside the blue line in the high slot, through traffic and into the back of the net at 8:55. It was Fletcher's fourth goal of the year.
Despite pulling Bishop in the final 90 seconds, the Rivermen came up short of tying the game. Peoria, who was outshot 27-25, is now 2-4-1-0 against the Chops this year. The Rivermen also finished 5-6-0 in January.
Saturday's game marked the first time since Dec. 26 that the Rivermen posted multiple goals on the power play. Both squads finished two for six on the man advantage.
The Rivermen head back on the road for the next three games, starting on Wednesday in Chicago. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. and the radio broadcast can be heard on Hippie 101.1FM or online at www.rivermen.net.
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American Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2009
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- Sens claw Falcons, 4-2 - Binghamton Senators
- Walter's goal with 15 seconds remaining in regulation wins game for Sound Tigers - Bridgeport Islanders
- Chops finish perfect in Peoria with 4-3 win on Saturday - Iowa Chops
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