Toivonen Misses Shutout; IceHogs Win Shootout
February 27, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
ROCKFORD, Ill. - Hannu Toivonen came within 11.4 seconds of the first shutout of the season for the Peoria Rivermen but Bracken Kearns forced overtime and the Rockford IceHogs won 2-1 in a shootout on Saturday night at the Rockford MetroCentre.
Peoria earned a point for the third straight game (2-0-0-1) and have a chance to take five of six points on the weekend with a win on Sunday against Milwaukee. It is the first time the Rivermen have earned points in three straight since they won five in a row from Dec. 9 to 19.
Kearns' goal was scored while on a six-on-four advantage, following a penalty to Cam Paddock and Corey Crawford being pulled for an extra attacker. It came after a scramble in the crease with both Matt Keith and Jack Skille swarming the goal.
Peoria's lone goal also came on the power play, at 12:30 of the second period. Pascal Pelletier's shot left a rebound in the slot for Barry Tallackson. Crawford thought the puck was under his back and stayed on the ice while Tallackson scored his 15th of the season.
In the shootout, both Akim Aliu and Keith scored to open up a 2-0 lead through the first two shooters and Nicholas Drazenovic pulled it to 3-1 through three rounds. The final four shooters were all stopped to secure the win for the IceHogs.
Toivonen was strong, keeping the âHogs off the board through the first two periods with 19 saves. Both he and Crawford finished with 22 saves through regulation while Tovionen made one more save then his counterpart in overtime.
The Rivermen remain the only team in the American Hockey League without a shutout this season through their first 59 games. It was the 29th one-goal game of the season for Peoria in which they are 16-6-1-6.
Peoria returns to Carver Arena on Sunday at 3 p.m. for a Comcast/Journal Star/Fun on the Run/Coke Family Day. All kids' tickets are $1 in the upper bowl and hot dogs, chips and Cokes will be sold from $1 from 2-3 p.m. For tickets or more information stop by the Rivermen office, call 309-676-1040 or visit www.rivermen.net/tickets.
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