Monsters Rally Back to Beat Rivermen 3-2
Opponent: Lake Erie Monsters
Date: February 10, 2012 7:00 p.m.
Score(Home/Away): 2-3 L
Although Jonathan Cheechoo notched his second two assists to help the Peoria Rivermen build an early 2-0 lead, the Lake Erie Monsters scored three unanswered goals to win 3-2 before 5,565 on Friday night at Carver Arena.
Patrick Rissmiller scored the game-winning goal with 2:18 remaining in regulation after Brett Sonne was sent to the box for slashing just 47 seconds earlier. The Monsters finished the game 2-for-5 on the power play while Peoria was 1-for-3.
Peoria dropped to 24-21-2-1 for 51 points and sit in ninth in the Western Conference, two points behind Rochester for the final playoff spot.
Anthony Nigro opened the scoring at 4:36 in the first period with his ninth of the year. Cheechoo left a drop-pass for Nigro in the slot who sent the puck past Gerald Coleman for the tally.
Peoria added their second goal of the game at 1:44 in the second period. T.J. Hensick sent home a rebound following shots from Derek Nesbitt and Cheechoo while on the power play. The goal gave Hensick 17 goals and 57 points on the year – most in the Western Conference.
The Monsters countered at 8:29 on Dean Strong’s first goal of the season. Strong followed up a rebound from the slot to bring Lake Erie within one. Former Rivermen Danny Richmond tied the game at 19:12 on a one-timer from between the circles. Luke Walker cruised around the back of the net and fed Richmond in the slot who beat Ben Bishop with a low shot along the ice.
Rissmiller’s power-play goal at 17:42 in the third period proved to be the difference in Lake Erie’s fourth win in five games.
Bishop stopped 20 of 23 shots on goal in the loss while Coleman allowed two goals on 34 shots. Peoria finished the season series with a 2-2-0 with the Monsters.
The Rivermen return to action Saturday night at Carver Arena, against the Charlotte Checkers, with a 7 p.m. start. Tickets are available and can be purchased through www.rivermen.net or by calling 309-676-1040.
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