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ECHL Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen sweep four-game road trip

February 7, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


THE RECAP:

Tuesday, February 1, 2005 @ Trenton Game #38 ECHL Game #572

Rivermen 2 Trenton 1 Shootout

For the first time this season on the road and just the third time all the year, the Peoria Rivermen won when scoring two goals or less, beating the Trenton Titans 2-1 in a shootout in front of 3,129 on Tuesday night at Sovereign Bank Arena.

Peoria shut out the Wheeling Nailers 1-0 at home on December 5 and blanked Trenton 2-0 at home on January 14.

The Titans tied the game 1-1 at 9:17 of the third. Stephen Wood fed a breaking Leon Hayward, who drove through the slot to the Peoria net from the left face-off circle with a Rivermen defenseman hanging all over him. Hayward was stopped on his initial shot from just off the right goal post by Rivermen goaltender Alfie Michaud (11-8-2), who went down on the play, but poked in a second effort for his fifth tally of the season.

Tied 1-1 after regulation, the teams would move to a four-on-four overtime session, in which Peoria had to kill off its fourth Trenton power play of the night. The Rivermen have killed off 33 straight opposition power plays, and Trenton is 0-for-13 with man advantage against Peoria in three games this season.

In the shootout, each team's first shooters, Peoria's Reggie Stringer and Hayward, were stopped in the opening round. In the second round, Colin Hemingway, who saw his first action since Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 25) after undergoing sports hernia surgery, got to the hash marks and launched a slap shot into the upper right corner. After Scott Bertoli was turned away by Michaud to finish out the second round, Tyler Rennette connected on a mirror image of Hemingway's goal. Peoria's Scott Turner missed to open the fourth round, as Michaud sealed the win with stops on Mathieu Brunelle (third) and Matt Zultek (fourth).

Peoria (18-16-4, 40 points), who moved back to two games above the .500 mark, collected its seventh road in 19 chances (7-10-2) this season. The Rivermen, who won their first shootout in three chances (1-2) this season, improved to 3-0-0 against the Titans on the year. Trenton (20-12-6, 46 points) has lost two straight and six of the last eight games (1-6-1). The Titans, who lost just its second shootout decision in six opportunities (4-2), dropped 10-6-3 at home this season.

Wednesday, February 2, 2005 @ Atlantic City Game #39 ECHL Game #574

Rivermen 2 Atlantic City 0

Rivermen goaltender Alfie Michaud posted his third shutout in the last seven games, as he guided the Peoria Rivermen to a 2-0 win over the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies before a Wednesday night crowd of 1,587 at Historic Boardwalk Hall.

Michaud stopped 37 total shots, including 13 in both the second and the third sessions. The 28-year-old native of Selkirk, Manitoba, shut out the Trenton Titans with 42 stops on January 14 in a 2-0 home win and then stymied the San Diego Gulls by denying 12 shooting attempts on January 28 in a 3-0 home victory. Over the past seven games, Michaud is 6-1-0 with a 1.13 goals against average (GAA) and a .961 save percentage.

The Rivermen, who were dominated much of the game, scored the only goal they would need at 7:47 of the final period. Rivermen Captain Trevor Baker rubbed out an Atlantic City defenseman in the left wing corner, allowing Randy Rowe to cut off Boardwalk Bullies goaltender Tyler MacKay's clearing attempt around the boards. Rowe, in the bottom of the left face-off circle, attempted to center the puck, but MacKay, who tried to poke it away, had it roll up his stick and into the net. It was Rowe's 11th tally of the season and proved to be the game winner.

Last night, Rowe was featured on ESPN's SportsCenter in their Top Ten, earning No. 6 honors for a one-handed shot from the slot that he scooped into the upper right corner past Toledo rookie goaltender Logan Koopmans with defenseman P.J. Martin hanging all over him.

Tyler Rennette sealed the victory with an empty-net goal from below the right face-off dot in the Atlantic City end with 32 seconds remaining in the game. It was his 10th marker of the year.

Peoria (19-16-4, 42 points) has won two straight games (both on the road) and seven of its last eight games overall. The Rivermen improved to 8-10-2 away from Carver Arena and have improved their record against the Boardwalk Bullies (4-1) and Trenton (3-0) to a collective 7-1-0 on the season. For the second game in a row and just the fourth time this season, Peoria netted two tallies or less in a contest and won; the Rivermen won by way of shutout in three of those games. Atlantic City (22-13-6, 50 points) was handed just its fourth regulation home loss in 19 opportunities (12-4-3). The Boardwalk Bullies are 1-4-1 in their last six games.

Saturday, February 5, 2005 @ Atlantic City Game #40 ECHL Game #592

Rivermen 2 Atlantic City 1

The Peoria Rivermen are doing a lot with a little of late. For the third straight game and just the fifth time this season, the Rivermen won when scoring two or less goals in a game with a 2-1 victory over the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies in front of 2,277 on Saturday night at Historic Boardwalk Hall.

In three of the five two-goals-or-less wins, Peoria has won by way of shutout (1-0 W vs. Wheeling, 12/05/04; 2-0 W vs. Trenton, 01/14/05; 2-0 W @ Atlantic City, 02/02/05). Peoria beat the Trenton Titans 2-1 in a shootout on Tuesday.

The Rivermen denied a Boardwalk Bullies power play chance with 2:23 left in regulation, giving them their 40th straight penalty kill and setting a new 23-year franchise record. Peoria stepped up to and moved beyond the bar of 39 set by the 1991-1992 International Hockey League (IHL) Rivermen.

Peoria equaled the franchise mark early in the third period, extinguishing just 39 seconds of power play time before Atlantic City's Paul Caponigri was assessed a two-minute minor for interference at 3:38.

The Rivermen (20-16-4, 44 points) have won three in a row on the road for the first time this season and eight of their last nine contests. Peoria improved to 9-10-2 on the road this year and is now 8-1-0 against the Boardwalk Bullies and Trenton this season. Atlantic City (23-14-6, 52 points) lost just its fifth game in regulation on home ice in 20 chances (12-5-3). The Boardwalk Bullies have lost three of their last four contests overall.

Sunday, February 6, 2005 @ Johnstown Game #41 ECHL Game #604

Rivermen 6 Johnstown 3

It was a story of six in three different ways for the Peoria Rivermen on Sunday afternoon in Johnstown, Pa., with positive results. With less than six hours of sleep and after scoring just six goals over their previous three games combined, the Rivermen netted six tallies in a 6-3 victory over the rival Johnstown Chiefs before 2,108 on Sunday afternoon at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

Peoria had scored just two goals in each of its previous three games, all of them wins.

The Chiefs got to work early in the final period of regulation, making it 4-2 just 1:36 into the session. P.L. Courchesne threw the puck toward the Peoria goal from the left-wing boards and it deflected off the skate of rookie defenseman Patrick Wellar in behind Peoria goaltender Alfie Michaud (14-8-2). It was Courchesne's sixth goal of the season.

Just 20 seconds later, Johnstown cut the Peoria lead to 4-3. Shawn Mather slipped in behind the Peoria defense in the low slot, grabbing a loose puck and tucking it inside the left goal post past Michaud. It was Mather's 16th goal of the year and came unassisted.

The Rivermen struck back at 8:09 of the third for a 5-3 advantage. Russ Guzior, in behind the Johnstown goal, tipped the puck out to rookie Kris Kasper, who rifled his fifth marker of the year into the upper right corner from the left hash marks.

After he missed the net on a penalty shot with 1:52 remaining in the game, Tyler Rennette connected on a no-look, empty-net goal from center ice with 30 seconds left for his 12th tally of the season.

The Rivermen (21-16-4, 46 points) posted their first win in three opportunities in Johnstown this season. Peoria, now 10-10-2 on the road, has won a season-best four in a row on the road and nine of its last 10 contests overall. Johnstown (15-15-11, 41 points) dropped to .500 overall and 10-8-7 on home ice. The Chiefs are 1-3-1 in their last five games.

The Captain's Log

Post-Christmas Comeback

The Peoria Rivermen (21-16-4, 46 points) have launched themselves back into the North-Division playoff race by ripping off a scintillating 14-4-1 record in the 19 games following the Christmas Holiday. Peoria is 9-1-0 in its last 10 games after registering a 4-0-0 road trip last week. The Rivermen are five points out of the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division, which is currently occupied by the Reading Royals (24-14-3).

Reeled Off Quite A Road Trip

The Rivermen won all four games of a four-city, eight-game road trip this past week – edging the Trenton Titans 2-1 in a shootout last Tuesday, shutting out the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies 2-0 on Wednesday, nipping the Boardwalk Bullies 2-1 in regulation on Saturday and doubling up the Johnstown Chiefs 6-3 on Sunday. With the four-game sweep, Peoria improved its road mark to .500 at 10-10-2. Peoria is 7-2-1 in its last 10 road contests after opening the season with a 3-8-1 mark away from Carver Arena. Besides a lone road game this Saturday in Dayton as part of a home-and-home set with the Bombers, the remainder of Peoria's road games will be eaten up with two grueling treks out East. The first trip runs from March 10 to March 20 (11 days with travel) and has the Rivermen battling Toledo (2x), Wheeling (2x), Reading, Johnstown and Atlantic City in seven games over nine days. The final trip from March 28 to April 8 (11.5 days with travel) has Peoria taking on Trenton (2x), Reading (2x), Atlantic City and Toledo in six contests over 10 days.

Penalty-Killing Princes

The Rivermen have denied 41 straight power play opportunities, setting a new 23-year Peoria professional hockey record. Peoria killed off four Atlantic City power play last Saturday night in a 2-1 win, including killing an early-game 5-on-3 advantage, to set and break the record. The Rivermen added an additional penalty kill on Sunday in a 6-3 win over the Johnstown Chiefs. The previous record was set by the 1991-1992 International Hockey League (IHL) Rivermen, who – on the strength of efforts by forwards Ricky Pion and Mark Bassen – killed off 39 opposition power plays early in that season. The Rivermen are tied for second in the ECHL in penalty killing with the Wheeling Nailers with an 87.6 percent efficiency rating.

Two Or Less Now Telling A Positive Tale

Peoria skated its way to victory last week by scoring two or less goals in three of its four games played. Entering the week, the Rivermen had only won when scoring two or less twice and both came by way of shutout, as they beat the Wheeling Nailers 1-0 on December 5 (25 saves, Chris Beckford-Tseu) and the Trenton Titans 2-0 on January 14 (42 saves, Alfie Michaud).

Hunkering Down At Home For A While

After completing their recent four-game, eight-city road trek, the Rivermen will now play 12 of their next 13 games at Carver Arena, including a 23-year Peoria professional hockey record 11 in a row, from Friday, February 11 vs. the Dayton Bombers to Wednesday, March 8.

Michaud Is Major League

With three shutouts and three one-goal games in his last nine contests, netminder Alfie Michaud has compiled a 8-1-0 record over the stretch with a 1.32 goals against average (GAA) and a .955 save percentage. The 2002-2003 ECHL Goaltender of the Year has a 14-8-2 record this season with a 2.08 GAA (4th in the ECHL) and a. 931 save percentage (T-6th in the ECHL).

Injury, Call-up & Transaction Report

· Rivermen left wing Kris Kasper has been activated from the 7-day injured reserve, 02/02/05.

· Rivermen left wing David Kaczowka has been reassigned from the Worcester IceCats, 02/02/05.

· Rivermen forward Colin Hemingway has been activated from the 30-day injured reserve, 02/01/05.

· Rivermen left wing Justin Maiser remains on the 7-day injured reserve, 02/01/05.

· Rivermen left wing Jake Riddle remains on the 7-day injured reserve, 01/31/05.

· Rivermen rookie goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu remains on reassignment to the Worcester IceCats, 01/26/05.

· Rivermen defenseman James Sanford remains on reassignment to the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL), 01/03/05.

· Left wing/defenseman Mark Jerant remains on reassignment from the Worcester IceCats (AHL), 12/26/04.

· Rivermen rookie center Troy Riddle remains on reassignment to the Worcester IceCats (AHL), 12/01/04.

· Forward Colin Hemingway remains on reassignment from the Worcester IceCats (AHL) by the St. Louis Blues (NHL), 11/03/04.

Steering Our Way Through The Schedule

GAMES:

· On Friday, February 11, the Rivermen host the Dayton Bombers in the fourth of five meetings this season at Carver Arena and the front end of a home-and-home set between the teams. Peoria is 2-0-1 at home against Dayton this season and 1-2-0 in three meetings at the Nutter Center. In the teams' most recent meeting on December 26 in Dayton, the Rivermen fell 2-1 in regulation. Peoria owns a 49-27-10 lifetime ECHL regular season record against the Bombers. Dayton (14-26-2, 30 points) is eighth place in the North Division. The Bombers are led by rookie left wing Tyler Kolarik, who has 27 points (14g, 13a) in 42 games. The Third Annual Potter & Anderson Jewelers "Wedding on Ice" will take place during the first intermission. Five Peoria-area couples will get married on Carver Arena ice. The team will wear special Valentine's Day-themed jerseys to be auctioned off after the game to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois – Peoria Office. The game broadcast can be heard LIVE on WWFS FOX Sports Radio 1290 AM and online at www.rivermen.net, beginning at 7:15 p.m. from Carver Arena. Game time is 7:30 p.m. CT.

· On Saturday, February 12, Peoria travels to Dayton, Ohio, to face off against the Bombers in the back end of a home-and-home between the clubs. It will be the last time in their ECHL history that the Rivermen will visit the Nutter Center. The game broadcast can be heard LIVE on WWFS FOX Sports Radio 1290 AM and online at www.rivermen.net, beginning at 5:45 p.m. from the Nutter Center. Game time is 6:00 p.m. CT.

· On Sunday, February 13, the Rivermen host the rival Johnstown Chiefs for the first time this season and the first of four matchups in Peoria. It will be the first of two in a row between the teams. Peoria won its first game in Johnstown this past Sunday, winning 6-3. The Rivermen dropped two games in Johnstown in early November at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena. Peoria has a 34-17-6 lifetime ECHL regular season record against the Chiefs. Johnstown (15-15-11, 41 points) is in seventh place in the North Division, five points behind the Rivermen. Johnstown is led by center Shawn Mather, who has 35 points (16g, 19a) in 38 games. The game broadcast can be heard LIVE on WWFS FOX Sports Radio 1290 AM and online at www.rivermen.net, beginning at 2:45 p.m. from Carver Arena. Game time is 3:00 p.m. CT.

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