AHL Peoria Rivermen

Sterling and Wolves Stun Rivermen

February 19, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


PEORIA, Ill. - Brett Sterling scored twice for the Chicago Wolves in the final 2:05 of regulation to turn what would have been a 3-2 win for the Peoria Rivermen into a 4-3 loss on Friday night at Carver Arena. The Rivermen continue their busy weekend with a trip to Grand Rapids on Saturday before they return home on Sunday to face Houston at 5 p.m.

The loss was the fifth consecutive defeat for the Rivermen who fell to 1-7-0-0 against Chicago this season.

Derek Armstrong's power-play goal at 5:32 of the third period appeared to be enough to break Peoria's skid before Sterling's 31st of the year tied the game with 2:05 left. The AHL leader in goals notched No. 32 with only 5.2 seconds remaining in regulation when he ripped a wrist shot past Ben Bishop to give the Wolves the lead for the first time since the opening minute of the second.

The goal for Armstrong, assisted by Nicholas Drazenovic and Yan Stastny, was his 13th of the season in just 25 games and came in his first game back after missing the previous five with an injury.

Peoria held an early lead on Aaron Palushaj's fifth of the season just 6:26 into the first. After Brian Sipotz coughed up the puck in the slot, Palushaj maneuvered around Peter Mannino and slammed the puck into the goal. It was his second goal in as many games.

The Wolves responded immediately on a Matt Anderson tally just 28 seconds later. Chris Chelios shot was blockered away by Bishop but directly onto the stick of Anderson at the bottom of the left circle. Jamie Hunt scored at 13:52 to give the Wolves the lead. His first of the season came on a quick release that found its way through the legs of Bishop.

Julian Talbot was credited with the goal that evened the score at 2-2 just 61 seconds into the second period. Lars Eller walked the puck through the low slot but as Mannino made the poke-check the puck was loose in the crease. Talbot nudged the puck towards the net and pushed both Tim Stapleton and the puck into the goal. After a brief conversation with the linesmen, referee Zac Wiebe signaled goal.

Mannino finished with 24 saves while Bishop stopped 22 in the loss. The Rivermen finished 1-for-3 on the power play while the Wolves went 0-for-4.

The two teams will meet again next Friday night at Carver Arena.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2010


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