Sports stats



ECHL Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen Edge Cincinnati 3-2 on the Road

February 10, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


Cincinnati, Ohio (February 10, 2004) – The Peoria Rivermen used two early third-period goals, scored in a 1:36 span, to beat the Cincinnati Cyclones 3-2 in front of 1,023 on Tuesday night at U.S. Bank Arena.

The first tally came at 5:22 of the third period, giving Peoria a 2-1 lead. Marty Johnston grabbed a loose puck behind the Cincinnati goal and tried to cut out front of the net for a wraparound. Johnston was stopped and then Peoria defenseman Scott Crawford was turned away in front on the rebound. On the third rebound, though, Johnston – just off the right post – slammed his 11th of the season past Cincinnati goaltender Randy Petruk.

The Rivermen made it 3-1 at 6:58 of third. Adam Edinger won a face-off in the left circle back to Chad Starling at the point. Starling sent the puck toward the net and it found its way through a maze of players and between the legs of Petruk. It was Starling's first goal back in a Rivermen uniform and proved to be the game winner.

The Cyclones made it interesting, getting within one at 13:20 of the final session. Jason Norrie, falling down in the high slot, one-handed a backhand pass to a streaking Richard Naumann, who fired his 14th of the season through the legs of Peoria goaltender Mike Valley.

Peoria (27-12-8, 62 points) built on their ECHL-best road record, improving to 16-4-5 away from Carver Arena. The Rivermen, unbeaten in regulation in their last five games overall (4-0-1), are 5-1-0 at U.S. Bank Arena this season and 8-4-0 against the Cyclones with one game remaining in the season series. Cincinnati (20-27-3, 43 points) is winless in its last six games overall (0-5-1) and dropped to 11-14-3 on home ice.

Valley stopped 19 of 21 shots for his 15th win of the season (15-5-6). Petruk turned away 40 of 43 chances in his 18th loss of the season (15-18-2).

The Rivermen opened the scoring at 6:13 of the first period. Greg Black took a pass from Joe Vandermeer, skated the puck the length of the ice while maneuvering through several Cincinnati players, pulled up at the left face-off dot and roofed the puck over an out-of-position Petruk. It was Black's third goal with Peoria this season.

Black and Colin Hemingway were both activated before tonight's game after spending two games on team suspension.

Cincinnati tied it 1-1 at 15:25 of the first. Naumann won a face-off in the left circle back to Bob Rangus, who was at the right side of the circle and quickly whistled a low shot inside the right goal post. It was Rangus' second in a Cincinnati uniform.

There was no scoring in the second period, as Peoria was unable to score in three power play opportunities, which included 1:19 of a 5-on-3 advantage. The Rivermen ended the game 0-for-7 on the power play, while Cincinnati was 0-for-3.

On Friday, February 13, the Rivermen host the Pacific Division's Idaho Steelheads in the first of two in a row between the clubs. Game time is 7:00 p.m. CT at Carver Arena. The first 5,000 fans will receive a pair of Rivermen Thunder Sticks, courtesy of Ameren Cilco. Fans may also receive a 2-for-1 Upper Bowl admission by presenting a Cherry Coke or Vanilla Coke can at the Carver Arena Box Office.

Check out the Peoria Rivermen Statistics

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from February 10, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Peoria Rivermen Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central