Rivermen Power Past Reading 5-2 with Five-Goal Second Period
February 25, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
Peoria, Ill. - 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 improved to 14-7-5 on home ice in 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.
Rivermen goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu (8-10-3) stopped 21 of 23 Reading shots in the win. Former Rivermen Cody Rudkowsky (5-5-0) turned away 16 of 21 chances through two periods before being lifted to start the third in favor of rookie Barry Brust, who stopped all nine shots he faced in the session.
The Royals made it 1-0 on the power play at 10:58 of the first period. Graig Mischler, at the top of the right face-off circle, fed Eric Fortier, who was stationed at the end red line. Fortier quickly snapped a pass across the goal mouth to Cail MacLean, who - on one knee just off the left goal post - one-timed a low shot past a diving Beckford-Tseu. It was MacLean's 15th goal of the season.
Peoria tied the game 1-1 at 3:01 of the second period on the first of five unanswered tallies in the session. Left wing Justin Maiser slapped in a rebound from just off the right post on a Chad Starling shot from the center point that was stopped by Rudkowsky. It was Maiser's 13th goal of the season and second in as many nights.
The Rivermen took a 2-1 advantage at 5:27 of the second on the first of two power play goals in the stanza by Randy Rowe. Colin Hemingway broke into the Reading zone on right wing and slid a pass to Rivermen Captain Trevor Baker, who was breaking down the right side of the slot. Baker backhanded a centering pass underneath a Reading defenseman's stick to the low slot for Rowe, who converted a second effort from just off the right goal post for his 14th goal of the season.
Peoria pushed its lead to 3-1 with the first of two consecutive shorthanded tallies at 6:57 of the second. Reggie Stringer maneuvered into the Royals zone down the right wing, feeding Brian McCullough in the slot with a pass about a foot off the ice. McCullough batted the puck down and inside the right goal post for his team-leading 25th tally of the season.
The Rivermen gave themselves a 4-1 advantage with their second shorthanded goal of the second and ninth of the season at 13:16 of the second. McCullough broke up a Reading clearing attempt at center ice, allowing Hemingway to grab the loose puck and break into the Reading end alone for a slap shot goal into the upper right corner. It was Hemingway's eighth marker of the season.
Peoria completed its five-goal second session with its second power play goal of the period from Rowe. He darted into the Reading zone on left wing, got to the face-off dot, cut toward the net and pulled the puck from his forehand to his backhand, slipping it inside the right goal post as he was tripped. It was Rowe's 15th goal of the season.
The Royals netted an inconsequential goal with 1:14 remaining in the game. Fortier, at the left-wing boards after Mischler won a face-off to him, snapped a shot through a maze of players past a screened Beckford-Tseu off the inside of the right post for his 16th marker of the year.
The Rivermen and the Royals battle again tomorrow night - Saturday, February 26 - at 7:00 p.m. at Carver Arena. It is Five-Star Water Night, and two lucky Rivermen fans will win a year's supply of water. It is also Delta Dental Night. The first 1,000 kids 12 & Under will receive a toothbrush. Sonicare toothbrushes will also be given away throughout the evening by seat number. It is a Kaufman Wellness Center Night. Fans may receive a free spinal check and back massage by making a donation to the Children's Hospital of Illinois. There will also be a Goodwill Clothes Drive.
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