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AHL Peoria Rivermen

Team Heads Out East for Three Games This Week

March 13, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


RIVERMEN ACTION LAST WEEK

Tuesday, March 7, RIVERMEN 4 @ Milwaukee Admirals 0: Last Tuesday night in Milwaukee, the Peoria Rivermen produced a great team effort and shut out the Milwaukee Admirals by the score of 4-0. Just 2:05 into the match, center Ryan Ramsay lit the lamp with his seventh goal of the season to give Peoria an early 1-0 lead. Midway through the game, at 10:52 of the second period, Rivermen defenseman Brendan Buckley tallied his first goal of 2005-06 on a long shot that took a funny hop and eluded the surprised Admirals netminder Brian Finley. That marker put Peoria up 2-0 on Milwaukee. The Rivermen then extended their advantage to three goals when veteran forward Gavin Morgan tallied his 11th goal of the season and sixth in the last three games at the 16:26 mark of the middle frame. In the third period, Peoria got an insurance goal from center Blake Evans at 11:15 to produce the final score of 4-0 in favor of the Rivermen. Peoria goalie Reinhard Divis made 27 saves to earn his second shutout of the season and the seventh blanking so far this year by the Rivermen as a team. Although they lost the contest 4-0, the Admirals out-shot the Rivermen 27-25. Neither team scored on the power play in this game, as Peoria had only three opportunities compared to eight for Milwaukee.

Wednesday, March 8, Grand Rapids Griffins 5 vs. RIVERMEN 4 (OT): The Peoria Rivermen took to the ice last Wednesday in Grand Rapids, where they suffered a 5-4 overtime loss at the hands of the Grand Rapids Griffins. The Griffins got on the scoreboard first on a power-play marker by right wing Darryl Bootland about midway through the opening period. The Rivermen then got a power-play goal of their own from defenseman Mike Mottau at 15:30 of the first. Grand Rapids, however, took a 2-1 lead into the second period thanks to Bootland, who scored a second time at the 19:14 mark of the first frame. Then just 53 seconds into the second session, Bootland completed a hat-trick with his third goal of the game and his 22nd of the season. Late in the middle frame, right wing Brendan Brooks brought Peoria to within one goal of Grand Rapids at 3-2 with his 13th tally of 2005-06. The Griffins then went up 4-2 at 5:14 of the third period, when center Donald MacLean notched his 48th goal of the season. The Rivermen, however, fought back to tie the game at 4-4 on goals by center Ryan Ramsay, at 11:59 of the third, and defenseman Mike Mottau, at 13:24 of the third. The two teams then struggled through the rest of regulation and most of overtime tied at 4-4 until just 28 seconds remained in the extra session, when left wing Jiri Hudler scored to win the game 5-4 for the Griffins. Chris Beckford-Tseu started in net for the Rivermen and made six saves on nine shots in 20:53 of game time. Reinhard Divis relieved him early in the second period and took the overtime loss, making six saves on eight shots. On the power play, both teams did well, as the Rivermen went four for eight, and the Griffins went three for six.

Saturday, March 11, RIVERMEN 4 @ Chicago Wolves 3 (SO): In their fifth and final regular season game in Chicago this season last Saturday evening, the Peoria Rivermen of the AHL claimed their first-ever victory in the "Windy City" by defeating the Chicago Wolves by the score of 4-3 in a shootout. The Rivermen jumped out to an early lead in this game when winger Cam Keith netted his fourth goal of the year just 51 seconds after the opening face-off. Midway through the first period, right wing Justin Morrison evened things up for the Wolves at 1-1 with his 14th tally of the season. Right wing Reed Low then put Peoria up 2-1 at the 3:38 mark of the second period with his first goal of the season, only to see Chicago respond and tie the game at 2-2 at 7:46 of the middle frame thanks to left wing Brian Maloney. The two teams then traded goals once more in the second period, this time just 30 seconds apart. At the 8:24 mark of the second period, Rivermen center Ryan Ramsay gave his team a 3-2 advantage, but that lead was erased at the 8:54 mark on a goal by Wolves center Kip Miller. This tilt then remained deadlocked at 3-3 through the rest of regulation time and a five-minute overtime session and eventually moved to a shootout to determine a winner. In the shootout, Peoria right winger Jon DiSalvatore was the first player on either team to convert his shootout attempt, and his goal came in the first half of the third round. As the shootout entered the fifth and final round of the regulation stage, the Rivermen held a 1-0 advantage and would win the shootout with a goal in that round. Peoria's final shooter center Gavin Morgan then came through with that shootout goal to win the game for the Rivermen 4-3. Rivermen goaltender Reinhard Divis earned the win in this game with 36 saves on 39 shots through regulation and overtime and another four stops in the shootout. On the power play, Peoria ended up one for five, while Chicago failed to score on any of its five man-advantage opportunities.

Sunday, March 12, RIVERMEN 4 vs. Cleveland Barons 1: After starting off their slate of games last week with a 4-0 shutout of the Milwaukee Admirals last Tuesday night, the Peoria Rivermen nearly finished the week with another blanking last Sunday against the Cleveland Barons. The Rivermen opened the scoring in this game at the 11:58 mark of the initial session on the 18th goal of the season for right wing Jon DiSalvatore. Peoria took that 1-0 lead into the second frame, a period in which the Rivermen blew the tilt wide open. Midway through the middle period, at 10:11, right wing Reed Low netted his second goal in as many games to put Peoria up 2-0. Then at 14:34 of the second, winger Cam Keith struck for his fifth goal of 2005-06 while the Rivermen were shorthanded, extending their advantage to 3-0. Just before the second period ended, center Gavin Morgan potted his 12th tally of the season on a Peoria power play, and the Rivermen lead grew to 4-0 at the 18:19 mark of the middle session. This game held steady at 4-0 for Peoria until the final minute of regulation, when Barons right wing Riley Armstrong finally dented the twine behind Rivermen goaltender Reinhard Divis on a two-on-one breakaway with just 18 seconds remaining before the final horn. In backstopping Peoria to the 4-1 triumph, Divis made a total of 34 saves. Cleveland out-shot Peoria on the night by a count of 35-26. The Rivermen converted one of their five man-advantage opportunities in the contest and held the Barons scoreless on seven power plays.

QUITE A WEEK FOR DIVIS

Rivermen netminder Reinhard Divis enjoyed quite a successful run last week. Appearing in all four of Peoria's games last week and making three starts, Divis posted a record of 3-0-1-0, a goals-against average of 1.57, a save percentage of .945, and one shutout. He also logged 228:39 of ice-time, faced 109 shots on goal, made 103 saves, and allowed only six goals. Divis even picked up one assist on Sunday, March 12, versus Cleveland.

SHUTOUT-O-METER

Reinhard Divis' 4-0 shutout of Milwaukee last Tuesday night was his second blanking of the season and the seventh whitewash for the Rivermen thus far in 2005-06. Current St. Louis Blue Curtis Sanford earned the first shutout in the history of the AHL Peoria Rivermen franchise back on Friday, October 21, 2005, at Manitoba. Jason Bacashihua, also now of the Rivermen parent club St. Louis Blues, then put up two consecutive shutouts on October 29 and 30, followed by another whitewash by Sanford on Friday, November 4. The Rivermen then went without a shutout until Patrick Lalime came through with a 33-save effort against Houston on Tuesday, January 24, prior to a 24-save performance by Divis on Tuesday, February 7, against Syracuse.

MORE SHUTOUT STUFF

Rivermen goaltender Reinhard Divis authored his second shutout of the season last Tuesday night at Milwaukee. Interestingly, both of Divis' shutouts this season have happened on a Tuesday, both occurred on the seventh day of a month (February 7 and March 7), and both Divis whitewashes also came immediately before the Rivermen traveled to Grand Rapids to play the Griffins.

MOTTAU REACHES 50 POINTS

Rivermen defenseman Mike Mottau reached the 50-point plateau last week. He is now tied for fifth place in scoring among AHL defensemen with 50 points (8 goals, 42 assists) in 62 games played. He also ranks fourth among AHL blueliners with 42 assists.

RAMSAY'S "COMING UP ACES" FOR RIVERMEN

Forward Ryan Ramsay has been a scoring ace for Peoria since rejoining the club from the Alaska Aces of the ECHL on Monday, February 27. In eight outings since that date, Ramsay has collected eight points on five goals and three assists.

SIBLING RIVALRY

Last Saturday night in Chicago, Rivermen defenseman Mike Stuart went up against his younger brother Colin, who plays left wing for the Chicago Wolves. Interestingly, both Stuart brothers recorded one assist in the game.

SPECIAL TEAMS STILL ROLLING ALONG

Peoria's power-play and penalty-killing units each remain among the best in the AHL. The Rivermen enter this week ranked third in the League with the man-advantage at 20.24 percent. Peoria's penalty-killing unit also claims top-ten status in the AHL with the seventh-best efficiency rate of 83.91 percent.

RAGING RIVERMEN

On 3-8 @ GRA, D Mike Mottau enjoyed a four-point night with two goals and two assists. He now has scored four goals and dished out nine assists to collect 13 points in the last 14 tilts...D Brendan Buckley scored his first goal of the season on 3-7 @ MIL...C Gavin Morgan has registered 11 points (7 goals, 4 assists) in the last six tilts...RW Jon DiSalvatore has scored 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) in his last 11 games...D Mike Stuart has registered four assists in the past three games...C Blake Evans has produced one goal and two assists in the last five contests...F Cam Keith has potted two goals and one assist in the past two contests...RW Brendan Brooks has picked up one goal and four assists in the past five tilts...C Ryan Ramsay has tallied five goals and three assists over the last eight contests...LW Charles Linglet has recorded one point in each of his last three outings (2 goals, 1 assist)...RW Reed Low has tallied two goals and three assists in the last four tilts...C Mike Zigomanis has scored 10 points (2 goals, 8 assists) in his last seven contests...D Jeff Woywitka has registered one helper in four of the last seven games...G Reinhard Divis has gone 14-3-0-1 in his last 18 starts in goal.

RECENT RIVERMEN TRANSACTIONS

One of the latest additions to the Peoria roster, defenseman Tomas Mojzis, comes to the Rivermen on loan from the St. Louis Blues after the Blues acquired him and a third round selection in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft from the Vancouver Canucks last Thursday in exchange for defenseman Eric Weinrich. Because of immigration issues, however, Mojzis will not immediately join the Rivermen.

March 12, 2006 D Trevor Byrne reassigned by the St. Louis Blues (NHL) from the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) to the Peoria Rivermen (AHL).

March 9, 2006 D Tomas Mojzis loaned to the Peoria Rivermen (AHL) by the St. Louis Blues (NHL).

March 9, 2006 LW Timofei Shishkanov recalled from his loan to the Peoria Rivermen (AHL) by the St. Louis Blues (NHL).

March 9, 2006 D Trevor Byrne reassigned by the St. Louis Blues (NHL) from the Peoria Rivermen (AHL) to the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL).

March 7, 2006 RW Jon DiSalvatore returned on loan to the Peoria Rivermen (AHL) by the St. Louis Blues (NHL).

March 7, 2006 LW Timofei Shishkanov returned on loan to the Peoria Rivermen (AHL) by the St. Louis Blues (NHL).

March 7, 2006 RW Jon DiSalvatore recalled from his loan to the AHL Peoria Rivermen by the NHL St. Louis Blues.

March 5, 2006 F Joe Talbot signed to a 25-game professional try-out (PTO) contract.

RIVERMEN ACTION THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15

PEORIA RIVERMEN @ Rochester Americans

6:00 p.m., Blue Cross Arena

FRIDAY, MARCH 17

PEORIA RIVERMEN @ Manchester Monarchs

6:30 p.m., Verizon Wireless Arena

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

PEORIA RIVERMEN @ Syracuse Crunch

6:30 p.m., Onondaga County War Memorial at Oncenter

Radio: All Rivermen games are broadcast LIVE on HOPE 98.5 (WPIA-FM), the flagship radio station of the Peoria Rivermen.

Internet Audio: LIVE streaming audio of all Rivermen games is available for no charge at www.rivermen.net.

Internet Video: LIVE streaming video with the accompanying audio feed is available at www.rivermen.net through the facilities of the b2 networks. The video Webcast of each game is available for a pay-per-view fee of $6.

Wednesday, March 15, RIVERMEN @ Rochester Americans

SCOUTING THE AMERICANS

National Hockey League Parent Clubs: Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers

Record Entering This Week: 30-31-2-2

Standings Points (Relative to Peoria Rivermen): 64 (-16)

Western Conference Standing: 9th Place

North Division Standing: 5th Place

Rivermen Record vs. Americans: 1-0-0-0

Leading Scorer: C Jiri Novotny (57 GP, 14 G, 34 A, 48 PTS)

Number-1 Goaltender: Michael Leighton (33 GP, 13-18-1, 3.19 GAA, .888 SV PCT, 2 SO)

Power-play Ranking Entering This Week: 4th (20.05%)

Penalty-kill Ranking Entering This Week: 16th (82.37%)

Friday, March 17, RIVERMEN @ Manchester Monarchs

SCOUTING THE MONARCHS

National Hockey League Parent Club: Los Angeles Kings

Record Entering This Week: 36-22-2-4

Standings Points (Relative to Peoria Rivermen): 78 (-2)

Eastern Conference Standing: 5th Place

Atlantic Division Standing: 3rd Place

Rivermen Record vs. Monarchs: 1-0-0-0

Leading Scorer: RW Brad Smyth (64 GP, 27 G, 37 A, 64 PTS)

Number-1 Goaltender: Adam Hauser (34 GP, 17-12-2, 2.76 GAA, .913 SV PCT, 2 SO)

Power-play Ranking Entering This Week: 26th (13.87%)

Penalty-kill Ranking Entering This Week: 11th (83.08%)

Saturday, March 18, RIVERMEN @ Syracuse Crunch

SCOUTING THE CRUNCH

National Hockey League Parent Club: Columbus Blue Jackets

Record Entering This Week: 39-21-4-2

Standings Points (Relative to Peoria Rivermen): 84 (+4)

Western Conference Standing: 4th Place

North Division Standing: 2nd Place

Rivermen Record vs. Crunch: 1-0-0-0

Leading Scorer: C Mark Hartigan (49 GP, 34 G, 41 A, 75 PTS)

Number-1 Goaltender: Andrew Penner (30 GP, 15-9-1, 3.15 GAA, .901 SV PCT, 1 SO)

Power-play Ranking Entering This Week: 8th (18.88%)

Penalty-kill Ranking Entering This Week: 21st (80.84%)

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