AHL Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen Offense Erupts in Second, Win 5-3

February 20, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - After falling behind 3-0 in the opening minutes of the second, the Peoria Rivermen offense erupted for five goals in a span of 15:02 to drop the Grand Rapids Griffins 5-3 on Saturday night at Van Andel Arena. Brett Sonne scored twice and was one of four Rivermen players to record two points as the Rivermen won their fourth consecutive game against the Griffins this season.

The five-goal period matched a season-high which they set in the first period of a 7-2 over San Antonio on Nov. 20. They outshot Grand Rapids 19-10 during the middle frame.

Cam Paddock started the comeback with a booming slapshot past Thomas McCollum at 4:19. His sixth ofuc the season was setup by Tyson Strachan and Chris Porter.

At 9:31 the Rivermen were given a 5-on-3 for just under a minute. Rick Wamsley called his team's timeout and while the team failed to convert during the two-man advantage, Lars Eller scored on the ensuing 5-on-4 to get Peoria back within one. Justin Fletcher's pass found its way diagonally through the slot for an Eller one-timer and his ninth of the season.

The Rivermen tied the game just 31 seconds later on Sonne's first of the night. Off the faceoff, Sonne swatted a bouncing puck over the shoulder of McCollum for his seventh of the year. Another faceoff led to the eventual game-winner with Chris Porter slapping one home at 12:26. Cam Paddock took the draw, won it to Barry Tallackson, who left it for Porter in the slot. It was the ninth goal of the season for Porter.

The fifth goal of the frame came with just 39 seconds left. Jonas Junland's shot was kept alive by Yan Stastny and eventually jammed home by Sonne. It was the first multi-goal game in the professional career for the rookie who scored 48 last season for Calgary (WHL).

Penalties stalled Grand Rapids' comeback attempt in the third period as the two teams combined for 36 penalty minutes in the final period. The game featured two fights, Justin Fletcher with Kris Newbury and Nicholas Drazenovic and Justin Abdelkader. It was the first fight of the season for both Fletcher and Drazenovic. It was just the second fight of Drazenovic's professional career and the first for Fletcher since the 2007-08 season.

Grand Rapids built up their lead with goals by Cory Emmerton and Jamie Tardif in the first period. Emmerton scored at 14:44 finishing off a 4-on-2 break for the Griffins. Tardif tipped a Doug Janik slapshot past Hannu Toivonen with 2:15 left in the period. The Griffins staked a 3-0 lead just 1:18 into the second on Logan Pyett's eighth of the season.

Toivonen earned the win with 27 saves in his first action since Feb. 6 while Thomas McCollum, who also hadn't played since Feb. 6, dropped his seventh consecutive decision with 24 saves. Peoria was 2-for-8 on the power play while the Griffins were 1-for-6.

Peoria is now 4-3-0-0 against Grand Rapids this season after losing the first three meetings of the year. They will play one final time, at Carver Arena, on Mar. 4.

The Rivermen will be back on home ice on Sunday at 5 p.m. when they take on the Houston Aeros. It's another Comcast/Journal Star/Fun on the Run/Coke Family day. Kids tickets are just $1 and hot dogs, chips and Cokes will be available for just $1 from 4-5 p.m. For tickets stop by the Rivermen office, call 309-676-1040 or visit www.rivermen.net/tickets.

Check out the Peoria Rivermen Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2010


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.

OurSports Central