AHL Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen Start Weekend With OT Win

Published on April 1, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


Nick Drazenovic scored twice and Derek Peltier added the game-winner as the Peoria Rivermen defeated the San Antonio Rampage 3-2 in overtime on Friday night at the AT&T Center. Jake Allen made his third consecutive start and improved to 3-0-0 against the Rampage this season by making 29 saves.

The win kept Peoria (39-25-2-5; 85 points) in a tie for fifth place in the West Division with the Oklahoma City Barons and moved them within one point of the Chicago Wolves for the final guaranteed playoff spot. The Rivermen have played one fewer game than both Oklahoma City and Chicago. The Rampage fell to two points back of the Rivermen.

The game started on a sour note for the Rivermen with Akim Aliu whistled for a hooking penalty just 10 seconds into the affair. But while on the penalty kill, Nick Drazenovic scored his 18th goal of the season beating Rampage goaltender Matt Climie on a partial breakaway. The goal was scored at 1:11 of the first period and Adam Cracknell had the only assist on the play.

The 1-0 score held up until the 5:28 mark of the third period. This time with the Rivermen on the power play it was Drazenovic that struck again. Ian Cole took a slap shot from the point and Drazenovic deflected in his second of the game. His 19th goal matches his career high which he set last season and gave Drazenovic five goals in seven games against San Antonio this year.

Former Rivermen Eric Neilson scored his first goal of the season just 17 seconds later to bring the Rampage within one. He deflected a Jeff May slapshot past Allen for his first goal since Dec. 5, 2009.

Bracken Kearns scored his 20th goal of the season at the 13:11 mark of the third period by swatting a bouncing puck in from the slot.

Peltier scored the game-winning goal with 1:24 left in overtime. TJ Hensick found Peltier sliding into the high slot. He patiently pumped and then fired a wrist shot top-shelf on Climie for his third goal of the year and his first game-winner.

Peoria will finish up their season series with the Rampage on Saturday night in San Antonio at 7 p.m. The game can be heard locally on 96.5 ESPN Radio or over the internet through www.rivermen.net.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2011


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