ECHL Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen Dropped 5-2 at Home by Atlantic City

November 5, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


Peoria, Ill. – The Peoria Rivermen struggled offensively for the third straight game, mustering just two goals in a 5-2 home loss to Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies in the first of two in a row between the clubs before a crowd of 4,808 on Friday night at Carver Arena.

The Boardwalk Bullies took their second three-goal lead of the game four minutes into the final session. Luke Curtin broke in toward the Peoria goal from the left wing boards uncontested, snapping his third of the season past Rivermen goaltender Alfie Michaud with a maze of players in front of the net.

Jason Notermann set up the goal for his third point (2g, 1a) of the night. The former Rivermen player, who was traded to Atlantic City just one day before Peoria's season and home opener in exchange for the reassignment of a 20-year-old rookie defenseman James Sanford from the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League (AHL), was named No. 1 star.

Peoria got back within two on Trevor Johnson's second of the game and the season at 15:21 of the third. Brian McCullough won the face-off back to Johnson in the right circle. Johnson stepped toward the top of the face-off circle and ripped it through Boardwalk Bullies goaltender Adam Munro, who caught a piece of the puck.

Atlantic City completed the scoring just 1:07 later. Derek Edwardson picked off a Scott Turner clearing attempt at the top of the right face-off circle and wristed it over the right shoulder of Michaud for his second tally of the season.

Peoria (1-1-2) dropped its first game of the year in regulation at home. The Rivermen, who have scored just nine goals in four games this season, were undefeated in regulation in four games (2-0-2) against the Boardwalk Bullies last season. Atlantic City (3-2-1) improved to 2-1-1 on the road with its first five-goal output of the year; they were averaging 1.60 goals per game (27th in the ECHL) coming into the game.

Michaud (1-1-1) stopped 22 of 27 chances in defeat, while Munro (2-2-1) turned away 29 of 31 for his second victory of the season.

Notermann opened the scoring on the power play at 12:28 of the first period. Notermann picked up a loose puck just off the left goal post and with his back to the goal swept a backhand shot up over Michaud, who was down after an initial save.

Notermann netted his second of the night just 58 seconds into the second period with Rivermen defenseman Chad Starling in the penalty box for slashing. Notermann, racing into the low slot, took a Luke Curtin pass and slid it through the legs of Michaud. All four of Notermann's goals have come on the power play this season.

The Boardwalk Bullies gave themselves a 3-0 lead at 4:16 of the middle session with a shorthanded tally. Vince Macri finished a 2-on-1 break with Rob McFeeters, snapping a shot through Michaud's legs with a defenseman blocking Michaud's view.

The Rivermen finally got on the board on their fifth power play of the game. Second-year defenseman Trevor Johnson corralled a loose puck just off the left post and slipped it in past Munro. It was Johnson's first tally of the year.

Peoria was 1-for-7 with the man advantage on the night, while Atlantic City was 2-for-6.

Tomorrow night – Saturday, November 6, the Rivermen host the Boardwalk Bullies again. Game time is 7:05 p.m. at Carver Arena. There is a Goodwill Toy Drive, and fans are encouraged to bring a toy to donate; they will receive a coupon for a free Coke product and a coupon from McDonald's.

Check out the Peoria Rivermen Statistics



ECHL Stories from November 5, 2004


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