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Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen Finish Trip With 2-1 Win in Houston

December 11, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


HOUSTON - Ben Bishop's goals-against average continued to drop as the Peoria Rivermen beat the Houston Aeros 2-1 on Friday night to complete their three-game road trip. The Rivermen netminder won his fifth consecutive start, dating back to a 1-0 loss suffered in Houston during the teams' first meeting.

Tyson Strachan broke a 1-1 tie with his first goal of the season in the opening minutes of the third period and Bishop made it stand up as he made 24 saves in the win. Over his past six starts, in which he is 5-1-0, Bishop has a goals-against average of 1.58 and a save percentage of .941. He is now 9-4-1 on the season with a 2.59 GAA.

The Rivermen opened the scoring at 4:45 of the first period with Barry Tallackson's eighth goal of the season. Steve Wagner pushed the puck up the left wing to Tallackson who broke in towards the goal from a tough angle. His snapshot tucked itself just inside the right post to give him a goal for the second consecutive game. He is now tied, with Nicholas Drazenovic, for the team in goals.

Houston's only goal came on a five-on-three power play with both Tallackson and Strachan in the box. With only 2:30 remaining in the second period, Andy Hilbert pushed Maxim Noreau's rebound between the legs of Bishop to tie the game. The Rivermen were able to kill off the remaining penalties and finished the game six-for-seven on the kill.

Stachan's goal came at 4:30 of the third as he scored on his own rebound. He pinched in from the right point and ripped a shot up high on Anton Khudobin. As the puck popped in the air, it bounced off the helmet of Brett Sonne and landed in the crease behind the goaltender. Strachan, following up his own shot, finished the job which stood as the game winner.

Penalties hurt the Aeros comeback chances late in the third period as they were shorthanded for 4:00 of the game's final 7:15. The Rivermen finished 0-for-5 on the power play but were able to hold the Aeros off the board in the final minute while Houston pulled Khudobin for the extra attacker.

Each team now has a one-goal win in the season series and the two teams will not meet again until Jan. 30 when the Aeros make their first trip of the season to Carver Arena.

Peoria returns home on Saturday to face the San Antonio Rampage at 7p.m. It's the annual Teddy Bear Toss as fans are encouraged to donate new stuffed animals to Toys for Tots. Tickets are available at the Rivermen office by calling 309-676-1040 or online at www.rivermen.net/tickets.

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