Rivermen Can't Hold Off IceHogs in Third
Opponent: Rockford IceHogs
Date: March 3, 2012 7:00 p.m.
Score(Home/Away): 1-2 L
Down 1-0 to start the third, the Rockford IceHogs rallied back to defeat the Peoria Rivermen 2-1 at Carver Arena in front of a season-high 7,649 fans on Saturday night. Newly acquired Patrick O’Sullivan had the primary assist on Peoria’s only goal but his Rivermen debut was in a losing effort as Ben Youds netted the game-winner with only 2:15 remaining in regulation.
The loss was the first to Rockford since Nov. 25, 2011, snapping a four-game winning streak for the Rivermen against the IceHogs.
At 13:49 of the first period, the Rivermen used the power play to secure a 1-0 lead. O’Sullivan fed one to the net from the half-wall and Adam Cracknell redirected it over the shoulder of Carter Hutton. The goal, his 16th of the year, set a new career-high in points for Cracknell with his 40th.
Rockford had the best chances of a scoreless second period but Peoria kill a 93-second five-on-three power play.
Rockford tied the game 2:53 into the third period. Ryan Stanton took a wrist shot from the point that was tipped in by Peter LeBlanc for his 18th goal of the year. Rostislav Olesz also earned an assist on the play.
With 2:15 left, Youds fired a shot through traffic, off the right post, and past Jake Allen. Stanton and Chris DiDomenico assisted on Youds’s fifth goal of the year.
Allen made 30 saves in the loss, marking the fifth time this season he has been on the wrong side of 2-1 score.
The Rivermen were outshot 32-25 and went 1-for-4 on the power play while Rockford failed to score on their three opportunities.
The Rivermen host the Oklahoma City Barons Wednesday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 309-676-1040 or by visiting www.rivermen.net.
Follow Us