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Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen Victorious in OT Thriller

March 2, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


The Peoria Rivermen earned a much needed two points Tuesday night at Carver Arena edging the Chicago Wolves in overtime 6-5. Ian Cole registered the final two Rivermen goals in regulation and Mark Cundari blasted a slapshot by Chris Carrozzi with only 10 seconds left in overtime to end it.

With the win, the Rivermen (34-23-2-3, 73 pts) jumped into a tie for third place in the West Division with the Texas Stars (32-20-4-5, 73 pts.). The Rivermen now trail the Houston Aeros (35-23-1-4) by two points, and are behind the first-place Milwaukee Admirals (34-16-3-7) by five points.

T.J. Hensick scored the first of three first period goals for the Rivermen just 54 seconds in. His 18th of the year came on just on the first shot of the game against Carrozzi. Dave Spina's shot was deflected up over the Chicago net from below the goal line and Derek Nesbitt knocked it down for Hensick and he beat Carrozzi low stick side with a quick snap shot.

Jake Gannon netted his first of the year on a shot from the right half boards at 8:24. His shot along the ice made its way through traffic and the puck went through the legs of Carrozzi. Brett Sonne was given the lone assist on the goal. Brett Sonne picked up another point at the 16:17 mark scoring his fourth of the year on a rebound from an Antony Peluso slapshot.

Darren Haydar put the Wolves on the board with 0.1 seconds remaining in the first period to swing play back towards Chicago. The Wolves came out in the second by scoring three unanswered goals of their own in a span of 6:40. Andre Deveaux tallied his 18th of the year, Kip Brennan scored his first on the season, and Arturs Kulda netted his third of the year giving the Wolves a one-goal lead.

Cole tied the game at four on his fourth of the year from Brennan Evans and Hensick. Evans let a shot go from the left boards that was tipped in front by Cole who was cutting across the top of the crease at the 10:05 mark of the middle frame.

With only 6:38 left in the third, the Wolves took back the lead on a Noah Welch's slapshot from the top of the left circle that rose over the shoulder of Allen. Welch's second of the year was assisted by Garbutt.

The Rivermen tied the game at five with 3:46 to play on Cole's second of the game. He came down the middle of the slot and wristed a shot that was blocked, but managed to get the puck right back and finish low stick side with a quick wrist shot.

Overtime featured just 28 seconds of 4-on-4 hockey before three minor penalties gave both teams a chance on the power play. After each team missed a power play chance, the Wolves were whistled for a costly too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty with 1:24 to play.

With time running down, Allen relayed a pass just outside his crease to Oystrick who skated the puck down the left wing and made a pass to Cundari in the top of the slot. Cundari wound up and ripped a low slap-shot that beat Carrozzi through the legs for the overtime winner. It was Cundari's eigth of the year and sixth on the power play.

The Wolves edged the Rivermen in shots 30-27 in the game, but failed to score on five power plays.

The Rivermen faceoff against the Manitoba Moose for the first time since Dec. 28 on Friday night at Carver Arena. The puck will be drops at 7:05 p.m. The game can be heard locally on 96.5 ESPN in Peoria or online at www.rivermen.net. For tickets call the Rivermen at 309-676-1040 or visit the Rivermen web site.

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