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ECHL Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen Lose Three in a Row to Finish Four-Game Week

February 23, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


THE RECAP:

Monday, February 16, 2004 @ Johnstown Game #50 ECHL Game #705

Rivermen 5 Johnstown 4 Shootout

The Peoria Rivermen fought off bus-weary legs, battling back from a 4-1 deficit to beat the rival Johnstown Chiefs 5-4 in a shootout before a Monday night crowd of 2,307 at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

The Rivermen got back within two goals late the middle session, making it 4-2. Former Rivermen All-Star Tyler Rennette tipped a Scott Crawford shot in from the left post. It was Rennette's 20th goal, giving his 20 or more tallies in three consecutive seasons, and came at 19:24.

Peoria made it 4-3 at 8:43 of the final session with its second power play goal of the night. Adam Edinger broke out of the right wing corner to feed Scott Turner, who was racing across the goal mouth and went upstairs with a forehand shot just off the left post. It was Turner's 7th goal of the season. The Rivermen finished the night 2-for-5 with the man advantage, while Johnstown was 1-for-5.

Peoria completed its comeback at 13:30 of the third. Turner took a pass from Edinger at the left face-off circle and fed a breaking Marty Johnston on the right side of the slot for his 15th tally of the season and fourth in the last two games.

In the shootout, Jay Langager struck first in the second round for Johnstown, before Johnston roofed a tally into the right corner in the third round and Rennette collected the winner in the fourth round. The Rivermen improved to 6-4 in shootouts, and the Chiefs dropped to 1-6 in shootouts.

Peoria (30-12-8, 68 points) has won five in a row, one shy of a season-high six consecutive wins set on January 13. The Rivermen improved their ECHL-best road record to 17-4-5 and remain unbeaten in regulation in their last four games (3-0-1) away from Carver Arena. Johnstown (27-16-6, 60 points) fell to 16-4-4 on home ice, earning one point for the shootout loss, and is winless in its last two games (0-1-1).

Tuesday, February 17, 2004 @ Johnstown Game #51 ECHL Game #719

Rivermen 4 Johnstown 5

The Peoria Rivermen battled back from a 4-2 deficit to tie the game but gave up a late power play goal, losing 5-4 in regulation to the rival Johnstown Chiefs in front of 2,375 on Tuesday night at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena. The loss snapped Peoria's five-game winning streak and eight-game, unbeaten-in-regulation streak (7-0-1).

The Chiefs gave themselves their first two-goal lead of the night just 1:47 into the third period. Dmitri Tarabrin and Chad Cavanagh broke into the Peoria zone on a 2-on-1 with Cavanagh one-timing a Tarabrin pass from the bottom of the right face-off circle. It was Cavanagh's eighth goal of the season.

The Rivermen got back within one just 52 seconds later. Adam Edinger tried to stuff home a shot from just off the right post but was stopped. Marty Johnston, though, was at the top of the crease and chopped his 17th goal of the season over Arturs Irbe. It was Johnston's second marker of the night.

Peoria tied it 4-4 at 10:19 of the third on Colin Hemingway's third goal in Rivermen uniform. Hemingway worked into the Johnstown zone on right wing, pulled up at the face-off circle and knuckled the puck under the blocker of Irbe.

The Chiefs took the lead back on the power play with 3:20 left in regulation. Dominic Forget fed Steve Hildenbrand just off the left Peoria goal post for an easy one-touch tally. It was Hildenbrand's second tally of the night and 15th of the season, proving to be the game winner.

Peoria (30-13-8, 68 points) had its four-game, road unbeaten-in-regulation streak (3-0-1) halted in the loss. The Rivermen suffered just their fifth regulation loss on the road in 27 opportunities (17-5-5). Peoria finished the regular season series with the Chiefs with a 4-3-1 record. Johnstown (28-16-6, 62 points) snapped a mild two-game winless skid (0-1-1) and improved to 17-4-4 on home ice.

Friday, February 20, 2004 vs. Dayton Game #52 ECHL Game #798

Rivermen 1 Dayton 2

The Peoria Rivermen managed just one goal on home ice, losing 2-1 to the archrival Dayton Bombers in front of 4,664 on Friday night at Carver Arena. The loss snapped Peoria's team, season-high four-game home winning streak.

In 12 home losses this season (13-9-3), which include three overtime defeats, the Rivermen are averaging just 1.08 goals per game. The Rivermen have never lost more than nine times on home ice in any of their previous seven ECHL seasons.

Peoria (30-14-8, 68 points) has lost two straight in regulation and fell to 4-3-1 through eight of 11 meetings with the archrival Bombers. Dayton (19-28-5, 43 points) halted a three-game winless streak (0-2-1) and is 3-2-2 over its last seven games. The Bombers improved to 8-16-3 on the road and 4-4-0 against the Rivermen this season.

Sunday, February 22, 2004 vs. Wheeling Game #53 ECHL Game #824

Rivermen 2 Wheeling 3

The Peoria Rivermen have lost three in a row and have dropped 10 home games in regulation in one season for the first time in eight ECHL campaigns, losing 3-2 the Wheeling Nailers before a Sunday afternoon crowd of 4,566 at Carver Arena.

The Rivermen, 13-10-3 at Carver Arena, had never lost more than nine games in regulation at home in any of their previous seven ECHL seasons. Over 13 home losses, which include three overtime defeats, Peoria is averaging 1.15 goals per game. In 13 home wins, the Rivermen are averaging 4.08 tallies per game.

Peoria (30-15-8, 68 points) fell to 3-2-1 against the Nailers this season. The Rivermen dropped to 25-13-8 against the Northern Division. Wheeling (38-13-2, 78 points) has won three in a row and improved to 15-9-0 on the road. The Nailers own the ECHL's best overall record.

The Captain's Log

Division Gets More Dicey

With three losses in a row – equaling a season worst set on October 31, the Rivermen (30-15-8, 68 points) have dropped into a tie for third place in the nine-team Northern Division with the Reading Royals (30-15-8, 68 points), a team they host Friday and Saturday. The teams are two points in front of the rival Johnstown Chiefs (30-16-6, 66 points) with one more game played. Peoria and Reading are eight points back of the defending Kelly Cup Champion Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (36-12-4, 76 points) with one more game played. The Rivermen and the Royals are 10 points back of the first place and Brabham Cup Championship-leading Wheeling Nailers (38-13-2, 78 points). Peoria has 19 games left in the regular season – all of them against Northern Division opponents. Nine of the games are against teams with a winning record and 10 of them are against teams with a losing record. In its schedule against winning teams, Peoria takes on Reading and Trenton three times each, Wheeling twice, Atlantic City once. Against those with a losing record, the Rivermen battle Toledo six times, Dayton three times and Cincinnati once.

Have Some Work To Do At Home

Peoria has dropped two in a row at home and for the first time in their eight-year ECHL tenure has fallen 10 times at home in regulation in one season. At 13-10-3, the Rivermen are averaging 1.15 goals per game (15 goals) over 13 defeats, which include three overtime losses. In 13 victories at home, Peoria is averaging 4.08 goals per contest (53 goals). Prior to Sunday's result, the Rivermen had not lost more than nine home games in regulation in any of its previous seven ECHL seasons. Peoria owns a 188-56-30 lifetime ECHL record (74 percent point percentage) 26 games into its eighth ECHL season. Last season, the Rivermen posted a 26-5-5 home mark with the second fewest home losses in one season in ECHL franchise history. Peoria notched a 27-4-4 record at home in its first ECHL season (1996-1997).

Still Right On The Road

Despite the end of a four-game, unbeaten-in-regulation streak (3-0-1) on the road in Tuesday's 5-4 regulation loss in Johnstown, the Rivermen still own the ECHL's best road mark at 17-5-5 (74 percent point percentage).

Definitive Defense

The Rivermen rank fourth in the ECHL in goals against average, surrendering just 2.51 goals per game. Over the last 11 games, Peoria has surrendered two goals or less in seven of those contests, including three one-goal games. Last season, Peoria ranked first in the League, allowing 2.51 goals per game. Defending Kelly Cup Champion Atlantic City currently leads the League with a 2.15 goals against average (GAA). Peoria goaltenders Mike Valley, currently on call-up with the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate – the Worcester IceCats, and Levente Szuper have posted 2.27 and 2.52 GAAs, respectively.

Worcester Wherewithal

Thank the Rivermen for their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate's – the Worcester IceCats – win on Sunday against the Providence Bruins. Brendan Brooks, on a two-way contract with Worcester, netted the game winner in a 3-2 victory and added an assist, while Mike Valley – on his first AHL call-up of the year with the IceCats – stopped 24 of 26 shots. It was Brooks' second game winner in 19 games with Worcester. He has eight points (5g, 3a) and a +1 plus/minus since joining the IceCats.

Injury, Call-up & Transaction Report

· Goaltender Brian Hamilton added as an emergency back-up, 02/20/04.

· Rivermen left wing Randy Rowe has returned from call-up with the St. John's Maple Leafs (AHL), 02/19/04.

· Rivermen goaltender Mike Valley has been called up to the Worcester IceCats (AHL), 02/19/04.

· Left wing Josh Kern has been traded to the Pensacola Ice Pilots for financial considerations, 02/19/04.

· Rivermen goaltender Levente Szuper has been reassigned from the Worcester IceCats (AHL), 02/18/04.

· Rivermen right wing Kenny Goetz remains on ECHL suspension (nine games), 02/10/04.

· Rivermen center Brendan Brooks remains on reassignment to the Worcester IceCats (AHL), 01/14/04.

· Rivermen defenseman Craig Olynick remains on the 7-day injured reserve, 01/11/04.

Steering Our Way Through The Schedule

PRACTICE:

· The Rivermen will practice on Tuesday, February 24, Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28 at Carver Arena at 10:00 a.m. CT. Practice times are subject to change.

GAMES:

· On Tuesday, February 24, the Rivermen host the first place and Brabham Cup Championship-leading Wheeling Nailers in the second of two in a row between the teams and seventh of eight meetings on the season. Meeting for the first time since December 28, after which the Nailers went 18-4-0 over 22 games, the Rivermen fell 3-2 on Sunday to a short-manned Wheeling club without two of its top four scorers. Peoria dropped to 3-2-1 against the Nailers this season and owns a 30-20-8 lifetime ECHL record against them. Wheeling (38-13-2, 78 points) sits atop the nine-team Northern Division, two points in front of the defending Kelly Cup Champion Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (36-12-4, 76 points) with one more game played. The Nailers are currently two points in front of Atlantic City and the San Diego Gulls for the Brabham Cup Championship (Regular Season Points Champion). Wheeling is led by second-year forward Jason Jaffray, who has 59 points (26, 33a) in 42 games. It is a Two For Tuesday. Bud Lights and Medium Soft Drinks are available for $2.00 each. The game broadcast can be heard LIVE on WWFS 1290 AM, Insight Communications (Peoria-44; Bloomington-Normal-22; Pekin, Morton & Galesburg-70) and online at www.rivermen.net, beginning at 6:50 p.m. from Carver Arena. Game time is 7:00 p.m. CT.

· On Wednesday, February 25, Peoria travels to Toledo, Ohio to face off against the archrival Storm in the seventh of 12 meetings on the season. In the last meeting on February 8, the teams combined for 211 penalty minutes in a 3-2 Peoria shootout victory in Toledo. The Rivermen are 4-0-2 against the Storm this season with a 2-0-1 record at Carver Arena and a 2-0-1 record in Toledo. Peoria owns a 48-22-5 lifetime ECHL record against the Storm. Toledo (21-25-6, 48 points) is in seventh place in the Northern Division with a three-point advantage and five games in hand on the eighth place Cincinnati Cyclones (21-33-3, 45 points). The Storm are led by right wing Alexander Jacques, who has 47 points (24g, 23a) in 40 games with a +10 plus/minus. The game broadcast can be heard TAPE DELAY on WWFS 1290 AM, and LIVE on Insight Communications (Peoria-44; Bloomington-Normal-22; Pekin, Morton & Galesburg-70) and online at www.rivermen.net, beginning at 5:50 p.m. from the Toledo Sports Arena. Game time is 6:00 p.m. CT.

· On Friday, February 27, the Rivermen host the Reading Royals in the first of two in a row between the clubs and the fourth of six matchups on the season. Peoria and Reading (30-15-8, 68 points) are deadlocked in third place in the nine-team Northern Division. The teams will meet for the final time in Reading as a part of a six-game, 10-day road trip in mid-March for Peoria. In the last meeting between the teams, on December 21 in Reading, the Rivermen grabbed a 2-1 shootout win from the Royals, who took two games – one in overtime – in early November in Peoria. The Royals are led by forward Chris Lynch, who has six points (4g, 2a) in nine games and +4 plus/minus since his acquisition from the Greenville Grrrowl on February 5; overall, he has 46 points (23g, 23a) in 50 games. It is another Coca-Cola Finally Friday. Fans receive a 2-for-1 Upper Bowl admission when they present a Cherry Coke or Vanilla Coke can at the Carver Arena Box Office. Rivermen Senior Account Executive Ralph Rashid will be inducted into the Builders Division of the Rivermen Hall of Fame. And Claude Scott – The Happy Trumpeter – will be on hand, courtesy of Velde Automotive Group. The game broadcast can be heard LIVE on WWFS 1290 AM, Insight Communications (Peoria-44; Bloomington-Normal-22; Pekin, Morton & Galesburg-70) and online at www.rivermen.net, beginning at 6:50 p.m. from Carver Arena. Game time is 7:00 p.m. CT.

· On Saturday, February 28, Peoria and Reading do battle for the second game in a row and seventh time this season. It is Caterpillar Night. The first 2,000 fans receive a Rivermen Pop-Up Chair, courtesy of Caterpillar. Claude Scott – The Happy Trumpeter – will also be on hand, courtesy of Velde Automotive. The game broadcast can be heard LIVE on WWFS 1290 AM, Insight Communications (Peoria-44; Bloomington-Normal-22; Pekin, Morton & Galesburg-70) and online at www.rivermen.net, beginning at 6:50 p.m. from Carver Arena. Game time is 7:00 p.m. CT.

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