Stars Strike First; Finish Rivermen 4-2
March 21, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
PEORIA, Ill. (March 21, 2010) - Aaron Gagnon scored twice in the first 7 minutes and finished off the natural hat trick in the Texas Stars 4-2 win over the Peoria Rivermen Sunday afternoon at Carver Arena. Brett Sonne and Pascal Pelletier each had a goal and an assist in the losing effort.
The loss coupled with Milwaukee's overtime win over Houston pushed Peoria seven points back of a potential playoff spot. The Rivermen finished their season series against Texas with a 4-3-0-1 record.
Gagnon stuck first during a 5-on-3 power play that began just 3:47 into the first period. Both Lars Eller and Mitch Love were boxed at the same time and Gagnon cashed in 57 seconds into the two-man advantage. He scored again just 1:23 later by converting on a breakaway against Joe Fallon.
Peoria had a chance with a 5-on-3 for 1:21 in the opening minutes of the second period but failed to convert. Gagnon finished off the hat trick at 15:22 to give Texas a 3-0 lead. His 24th of the season came on a snapshot from the slot that clipped off the right post and in. It was the second time in the last seven games in which the Rivermen have had three goals scored against them by one player (David Spina for San Antonio on March 9).
Sonne put the Rivermen on the board with 1:27 left in the second period on a power-play goal. Pelletier's shot came to Sonne in the right circle who turned and wristed one off of Matt Climie and in. It was his 11th of the year and sixth on the power play. The Rivermen finished 1-for-4 on the advantage.
Texas scored a power-play marker of their own just 1:06 into the third to open up a 4-1 lead. Perrtu Lindgren's slapshot from the high slot sailed over Fallon's glove for his 13th of the season.
Pelletier's goal closed the gap just 1:13 later but 4-2 was as close as the Rivermen got. Pelletier's two points gave him 51 on the season and now stands alone as the team leader. Last season, the Rivermen were led by both Trent Whitfield and Steve Regier with 50.
Fallon finished 26 saves for the Rivermen while Climie stopped 26 of 28.
Peoria hosts Chicago on Wednesday at 7 p.m. For tickets or more information stop by the Rivermen office, call 309-676-1040 or visit www.rivermen.net/tickets.
American Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2010
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- Houston Aeros Drop Overtime Thriller To Milwaukee - Houston Aeros
- Stars Strike First; Finish Rivermen 4-2 - Peoria Rivermen
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- Bernier, Cliche Stripped Of Homecoming Crowns - Manchester Monarchs
- Gagnon's Hat Trick Leads Stars Past Rivermen 4-2 - Texas Stars
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- Griffins Suffer 4-0 Loss In Manitoba - Grand Rapids Griffins
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