ECHL Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen Push Past Idaho on the Road 5-2 on New Year's Eve

Published on January 1, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


Boise, Idaho (December 31, 2004) – The Peoria Rivermen got a goal each from Brian McCullough and Trevor Byrne in the both second and third periods, as the Rivermen pushed past the defending Kelly Cup Champion Idaho Steelheads 5-2 in front of 4,875 on New Year's Eve at the Bank of America Centre.

After Idaho's Marty Flichel shoveled in a backhand shot from just off the left goal post at 2:42 of the third period for his second goal in three games after coming out of retirement, the Rivermen grabbed their two-goal lead back on the power play on Brian McCullough's second goal of the night and team-leading 12th on the season at 8:27 of the final period of regulation. Byrne faked a step to the middle of the ice from the right point and the dished off to McCullough at the near face-off circle. McCullough then dropped it off in the corner for rookie Jake Riddle, who completed the give-and-go to McCullough, who chipped the puck into the upper left corner at 8:27 from the right side of the low slot.

Peoria was 1-for-5 on the power play in the game.

The Rivermen would add the final tally of the contest 2:12 later. Byrne intercepted an Idaho clearing just outside of its zone, skated into the high slot and fluttered his second goal of the game in off the glove of Blair Allison from the high slot. It was Byrne's third goal in three games on reassignment from the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Worcester IceCats. He (2g, 1a) and Riddle (3a) led all scorers with three points.

Allison was pressed into service because No. 1 goaltender Frank Doyle was on reassignment with the Utah Grizzlies (AHL) and back-up Colin Zulianello went down earlier in the afternoon with a possible ruptured spleen. Allison (0-1-0), who had retired after the Steelheads won the Kelly Cup last season, is the team's assistant coach. He stopped 18 of 23 shots in the loss.

Peoria (10-13-3, 23 points) has won three in a row overall and improved to 3-0-0 against West Division opponents this year with five straight more games remaining against them on this road trip. The Rivermen are now 4-8-1 on the road and 3-0-0 lifetime in the ECHL regular season against the Steelheads. Idaho (14-11-2, 30 points) has lost its last two in a row and is winless in four straight (0-3-1). The Steelheads, who were shorthanded with just 14 skaters, suffered just their fourth loss on home ice in 13 opportunities (8-4-1) this year.

Peoria goaltender Alfie Michaud (4-5-2) turned away 27 of 29 chances for his second straight win.

The Rivermen opened the scoring at 12:29 of the first period. Warren Toews wristed a shot on net from the left point that David Kaczowka, stationed just off the near post with his back to the goal, tipped past Allison inside the left post.

Idaho tied the game 1-1 just 31 seconds later. Brett Draney collected a pass from Darrell Hay at the right circle, and with a lot of traffic in front of the Peoria goal, Draney floated his fifth goal of the season over the left shoulder of Michaud, who never saw the puck.

The Rivermen took their second lead of the night at 10:56 of the second. Riddle fed Tyler Rennette at center ice and he chopped the puck back ahead in the center circle to Riddle. Riddle then bounced the puck beyond the Idaho defense, where Brian McCullough caught up to the puck and broke in alone on Allison to slip in his team-leading 11th goal of the year.

Peoria made it 3-1 just 52 seconds later on Byrne's second goal in three games on reassignment from Worcester (AHL). A Rennette shot from the high slot went wide of the Idaho net, and Riddle grabbed the rebound in the low slot and was stopped point-blank on a backhand chance with Allison's right pad. The rebound was loose just off the left goal post and Byrne scooped the puck into the upper left corner for his first of two tallies on the night. The tally would prove to be the game winner.

Just 51 seconds later, Ed Hill hauled down Brett Draney in front of the Rivermen net, and referee Ryan Fraser whistled a penalty shot opportunity for the Steelheads. On the penalty shot, Draney drove the puck from center ice and brought it into the Peoria zone down the middle of the ice, where he was stopped by a Michaud right pad leg.

Tomorrow Night – New Year's Day (Saturday, January 1, 2005), the Rivermen battle the Steelheads again in the second of two in a row between the clubs. Game time is 8:10 p.m. CT at the Bank of America Centre.

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