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The Peoria Rivermen handed the Grand Rapids Griffins just their sixth regulation loss at Van Andel Arena this season, with a 3-1 victory on Saturday night. Chris Holt turned aside all 13 shots that he faced in the third period, 29 of 30 overall, to earn his 10^th victory of the season in his 14^th start. 

 

Peoria has won five of their last six games and improved their record to 34-30-1-1, just one point behind Chicago for fourth place in the West Division.

 

A season-high 19 shots in the second period propelled the Rivermen to a 2-0 lead in the final six minutes of the frame. Ryan Reaves scored for the third time in his last six games at 14:22 to give the Rivermen a 1-0 lead. Julian Talbot and Justin Fletcher both had shots on Jimmy Howard but Reaves backhanded the rebound home. 

 

At 17:09 Nicholas Drazenovic netted the eventual game-winner with a great individual effort. Jonathan Filewich hit Drazenovic in stride with a pass that he pushed between the Griffins’s defenders and walked in alone against Howard. His backhand went five-hole on Howard and tricked across the goal line. 

 

The Griffins got one back before the end of the frame with Francis Pare deflecting one past Holt with only 50 seconds remaining. Pare’s 21^st of the year bounced in off his body after Even McGrath shoveled a pass into the slot. 

 

A friendly bounce put the puck on a platter for Carl Corazzini at 1:11 of the third to provide the insurance for the Rivermen. Chris Porter’s dump-in caromed off the boards and popped into the crease with Howard stuck behind his net. Corazinni crashed into the goal and slammed the puck in before Howard could get back for his ninth of the year and second with the Rivermen. 

 

Grand Rapids outshot Peoria 30-27 overall in the game and 13-2 in the third period. The game only featured four power plays, three for the Rivermen, and no special team’s goals.