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ECHL Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen go 2-1-0

March 1, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


THE RECAP:

Thursday, February 24, 2005 vs. Alaska Game #48 ECHL Game #708

Rivermen 4 Alaska 6

The Peoria Rivermen could not hold an early third-period lead and surrendered its first hat trick of the year to the ECHL's leading scorer, Chris Minard, losing 6-4 to the Alaska Aces before 3,679 on Thursday night at Carver Arena.

The Rivermen took that early third-period advantage just 2:25 into the session, making it 4-3. Brian McCullough circled out from the right-wing corner to the high slot and wristed his team-leading 24th tally inside the right goal post with Tyler Rennette creating traffic in front of the goal.

The Aces tied the game for the third time on the power play at 5:51. Chris Minard broke in down the right side of the Peoria zone with a Rivermen defenseman draped all over him and took a backhand shot that was stopped by Peoria goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu. The rebound came right to Charles Linglet at the top of the goal crease for the easy stuff-in. It was Linglet's 20th tally of the year.

The goal marked the end of Peoria's ECHL record and Peoria professional hockey record penalty-killing streak. The Rivermen finished with 71 straight kills from January 8 to February 24.

Alaska took their first lead of the game in a four-on-four situation at 13:02 of the third, making it 5-4. NHLer Scott Gomez stole the puck behind the Peoria goal and fed Minard in front of the net. Minard roofed the hat trick tally and his 37th marker of the season into the upper left corner.

The Aces completed the scoring with Peoria's net empty. Joe Talbot raced around Peoria's Tyler Rennette at the Rivermen blue line, slapping in his 22nd goal of the season.

Peoria (23-18-7, 53 points) dropped its first home game in regulation in six games (2-1-3) and its first in five games (2-1-2) of a Peoria professional hockey record 11 in a row. The Rivermen fell to 13-7-5 at home in the loss and 1-1-1 in three games with the Aces. Alaska (33-15-5, 71 points) moved to within two points of first place in the West Division and has won four in a row. The Aces, who improved to 16-7-2 away from Sullivan Arena, are 7-0-1 in their last eight games and 14-2-1 in their last 17 contests.

Friday, February 25, 2005 vs. Reading Game #49 ECHL Game #716

Rivermen 5 Reading 2

The Peoria Rivermen used five unanswered second-period goals to power past the Reading Royals 5-2 in front of 4,427 on Friday night at Carver Arena.

Peoria (24-18-7, 55 points) improved to 3-1-2 through six games of a Peoria professional hockey record 11 in a row at Carver Arena with the win. The Rivermen are now 14-7-5 on home ice after the victory and grabbed their first points of the season against the Royals in four opportunities (1-3-0). Peoria moved to within six points of the final playoff spot in the North Division, currently occupied by Trenton and Atlantic City, with two games in hand. Reading (29-15-5, 63 points) had its seven-game unbeaten-in-regulation streak (5-0-2) snapped in the loss. The Royals fell to 15-10-3 on the road in defeat.

Saturday, February 26, 2005 vs. Reading Game #50 ECHL Game #726

Rivermen 4 Reading 2

The Peoria Rivermen fought off two third-period comebacks by the Reading Royals on Saturday night to hold on for a 4-2 win before 5,792 at Carver Arena.

The Royals finally got on the board 2:08 into the final period of regulation, making it 2-1. Eric Fortier, on one knee at the right side of the low slot, took a pass from Dan Welch, after a steal in behind the Peoria net, and scooped the puck into the upper left corner. It was Fortier's 17th tally of the year.

Peoria gave itself its two-goal lead back just 2:31 later. Igor Valeev held the puck along the right-wing boards in the Reading zone, waiting to find Trevor Byrne, who joined the play at the left point and took Valeev's pass. Byrne faked a shot and found Brian McCullough just off the right goal post for an easy, one-time slap shot goal past diving Reading netminder Cody Rudkowsky. It was McCullough's team-leading 26th goal of the season, and it would prove to be the game winner.

Reading got within one again at 6:14 of the third. Tom Galvin's shot from the top of the right face-off circle was stopped by Rivermen goaltender Alfie Michaud with the left pad, but the rebound was left just above the goal crease off the right post for an easy chip-in by Welch. It was Welch's fourth goal of the year.

Peoria finished the scoring with a laser of an empty-net goal by Valeev from near the top of the face-off circle in the Rivermen end. It was Valeev's fifth tally of the season.

Peoria (25-18-7, 57 points) is now 4-1-2 through seven games of a Peoria professional hockey record 11 in a row at Carver Arena. The Rivermen, who improved to 2-3-0 against the Royals this season, collected their 15th win on home ice in 27 opportunities (15-7-5) this year. Reading (29-16-5, 63 points) has lost two in a row and fell to 15-11-3 on the road.

The Captain's Log

Let's Not Look Back Into The New Year

The Rivermen (25-18-7, 57 points) are eight points out of the final playoff spot, currently occupied by the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (29-17-7, 65 points) and the Trenton Titans (29-17-7, 65 points), with three games in hand. Peoria has posted an 18-6-4 record in the 28 games following the Christmas Holiday. Peoria is 5-2-3 in its last 10 games. The Rivermen are 10 points out of first place in the North Division with two games in hand.

A Pause In Our Penalty-Kill Predominance

The Rivermen saw their ECHL and 23-year professional hockey record of consecutive penalty kills end at 71 when Charles Linglet scored a power-play goal at 5:51 of the third period of Alaska's 6-4 win last Thursday in Peoria. The Rivermen, who broke the record of 66 straight penalty kills by Mississippi in 2000-01, raised their penalty kill from 84.52 percent (142-for-168) to 88.98 percent during the streak. Peoria has successfully killed off its opponents' last seven power play opportunities and leads the ECHL in penalty killing with 88.70 percent. The previous Rivermen franchise record was set by the 1991-1992 International Hockey League (IHL) Rivermen, who – on the strength of efforts by forwards Ricky Pion and Mark Bassen – killed off 39 consecutive opposition power plays early in that season.

After Seven Is Near Heaven But...

The Rivermen have played seven games (4-1-2) of 11 in a row at Carver Arena, a 23-year Peoria professional hockey record, and remain unbeaten in regulation in six of those contests (4-0-2). The span stretches from Sunday, February 13 to Wednesday, March 8. Peoria has won 11 of its last 16 home games (11-2-3) at Carver Arena, which includes a season-best seven straight that ended with a 5-3 loss to the Toledo Storm on January 29. The Rivermen are 15-7-5 at home this season and own a 211-64-35 lifetime regular season ECHL record (74.0 percent point percentage) at Carver Arena.

Dancing Defenders

Peoria has allowed three goals or less in 18 of its last 22 contests after last Saturday's 4-2 win over the Reading Royals. The Rivermen have held their opponents to two goals or less in 12 of those contests. On average, Peoria is allowing 2.48 goals per game, good for a tie for fourth in the ECHL with the Pensacola Ice Pilots.

Injury, Call-up & Transaction Report

· Rivermen goaltender Alfie Michaud has been reassigned from the Worcester IceCats (AHL), 02/26/05.

· Rivermen left wing Kris Kasper has been returned from the Worcester IceCats (AHL), 02/26/05.

· Rivermen defenseman Warren Toews has been activated from the 7-day injured reserve, 02/24/05.

· Rivermen left wing David Kaczowka has been suspended by the ECHL (two games), 02/16/05.

· Rivermen left wing David Kaczowka remains on reassignment to the Worcester IceCats (AHL), 02/14/05.

· Left wing Igor Valeev and defenseman Trevor Byrne remain on reassignment from the Worcester IceCats (AHL), 02/10/05.

· Rivermen right wing Travis Rycroft remains on the 30-day injured reserve, 02/03/05.

· Rivermen left wing Jake Riddle remains on the 30-day injured reserve, 01/31/05.

· Rivermen defenseman James Sanford remains on reassignment to the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL), 01/03/05.

· Rivermen rookie center Troy Riddle remains on reassignment to the Worcester IceCats (AHL), 12/01/04.

· Forward Colin Hemingway remains on reassignment from the Worcester IceCats (AHL) by the St. Louis Blues (NHL), 11/03/04.

Steering Our Way Through The Schedule

GAMES:

· On Friday, March 4, the Rivermen host the archrival Toledo Storm in the first of two in a row between the clubs and the fourth of five meetings in Peoria this season. Peoria is 2-3-1 against the Storm this season with a 2-0-1 record through three meetings in Toledo and owns a 0-3-0 record in three home contests. In their last meeting with the Storm, which came at Carver Arena, the Rivermen fell by a 5-3 score on January 29. The Rivermen own a 56-25-6 lifetime regular season record in the ECHL against the Storm. Toledo (31-20-4, 66 points) is currently tied for first place in the North Division with the Wheeling Nailers (31-17-4, 66 points) but has played three more games. The Storm, who are led by left wing Sam Paolini with 44 points (12g, 32a) in 52 games, have played five more games than the Rivermen. It is Disco Night, and the team will wear special Disco-themed jerseys to be auctioned off after the game to benefit Counseling & Family Services. It is also Circle K Team Photo Night, and the first 4,000 fans will receive a Rivermen Team Photo. Local favorites Jamsammich will also perform in a post-game concert. The game broadcast can be heard LIVE on WWFS FOX Sports Radio 1290 AM and online at www.rivermen.net, beginning at 7:15 p.m. from Carver Arena. Game time is 7:30 p.m. CT.

· On Saturday, March 5, Peoria hosts the Storm again in the fifth and final ECHL meeting ever at Carver Arena, barring a playoff encounter. It will be the eighth meeting in the season series. It is Church Night presented by the Berean Bookstore, and Jars of Clay will perform in a post-game Christian concert. It is also Circle K Team Photo Night, and the first 4,000 fans will receive a Rivermen Team Photo. The game broadcast can be heard LIVE on WWFS FOX Sports Radio 1290 AM and online at www.rivermen.net, beginning at 6:45 p.m. from Carver Arena. Game time is 7:00 p.m. CT.

· On Sunday, March 6, the Rivermen welcome the Trenton Titans to Carver Arena for the third of four matchups between the clubs in Peoria. It will be the fourth of seven battles this season. Most recently, Peoria nipped Trenton 2-1 in a shootout on the road on February 1. The Rivermen are 3-0-0 against the Titans this season and own an 11-4-1 lifetime ECHL regular season record against them. Trenton (29-17-7, 65 points) is knotted up with the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies in a tie for third place in the tightly-packed, eight-team North Division. The Titans are led by left wing Scott Bertoli, who has 42 points (18g, 24a) in 51 games. It is the fourth and final Peoria Journal Star/Insight Media/InPlay Family Day. Kids 12 & Under receive a $2 Upper Bowl admission, and there are $2.50 Kids Meals. Dora the Explorer will appear courtesy of Nickelodeon. The game broadcast can be heard LIVE on WWFS FOX Sports Radio 1290 AM and online at www.rivermen.net, beginning at 2:45 p.m. from Carver Arena. Game time is 3:00 p.m. CT.

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