Rivermen Wrangle Bulls 5-2 in Home Opener Friday

Photo Credit: Dennis Sievers/Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen Wrangle Bulls 5-2 in Home Opener Friday

Three-goal second period lifts Rivermen to victory

Peoria, IL – The Peoria Rivermen fell behind early, but dominated the second period and held on to defeat the Birmingham Bulls Friday night at Carver Arena before a crowd of 4,759. With the victory, the Rivermen improve to 2-1-0 on the season, moving them into a four-way tie atop the SPHL standings in the early season.

The Bulls kicked off the scoring in the first period during their first-ever trip to Carver Arena. Birmingham winger Keegan Bruce raced down the left-wing boards and flicked a shot on goal from above the corner that was stopped by Rivermen goaltender Eric Levine.  Bulls center Andy Bathgate snapped the ensuing rebound past the outstretched arm of Rivermen netminder Eric Levine at 8:22 of the period.

The score remained 1-0 until Peoria surged to a lead with a trio of goals during the second period of play. With Birmingham defensemen Brandon Fehd and Sean Gammage in the box, Peoria cashed in on a 5-on-3 power play when winger Eric Witzel received a pass from teammate Joseph Widmar just below the right circle and flicked the puck over the glove of Bulls goalie Mavric Parks at 3:20 of the second period, and a 1-1 tie.

The Rivermen grabbed their first lead of the evening just past the midway point of the second period when Rivermen defenseman Ben Oskroba corralled a loose puck along the left-wing boards and fired a shot towards the goal that was tipped by Widmar past Parks at 11:37 of the period for the 2-1 Rivermen lead.

Peoria added to their lead late in the middle period when Rivermen winger Alec Hagaman carried the puck into the right wing of the Bulls zone, paused, and slid a pass to teammate Dave Pszenyczny between the circles. The Rivermen captain received the puck and promptly fired a shot past Parks at 15:33 for a 3-1 lead.

The Rivermen built their lead and tacked on a fourth goal early in the third period. Widmar entered the zone, passed to teammate Jacob Barber, who executed a give-and-go with Ryan Siiro, and snuck the puck past Parks at 5:33 of the third a 4-1 lead.

Birmingham cut into the Rivermen lead at the 9:23 mark of the third period when Bulls winger Alexander Taulien collected a pass from teammate Matt Fuller and skated through the slot uncontested. Taulien flicked a shot on goal that beat Levine to make the score 4-2.

Rivermen winger Mike Gurtler sealed the win for the home team at the 17:53 mark. With Birmingham on the power-play and Parks off for an extra attacker, Gurtler took a pass from teammate Justin Greenberg and skated into the Bulls zone, depositing the puck into the empty net for a 5-2 final score in favor of the Rivermen.

Levine stopped 19 of 21 shots faced in goal to earn the win for Peoria. The victory lifts the Wheeling, IL native to 2-0-0 on the season.

Notes: Widmar earned his first professional goal, as well as a pair of assists as part of his first career multi-point game…Siiro’s assist on Barber’s goal marked his first pro point…Peoria’s penalty kill was perfect in six opportunities on the night…Oskroba’s assist was his 50^th career SPHL point…The Rivermen return to action Saturday night at Carver Arena when they conclude Bruce Saurs Hockey Weekend in Peoria, squaring off with the Bulls at 7:15…Chicago Blackhawks mascot Tommy Hawk will be in attendance for Saturday’s contest…Tickets to the game are available, with a 2-for-$20 special in select sections, through the Rivermen office at (309)-676-1040…The broadcast of each game can be heard, starting with the pre-game show, at 6:55 p.m. at http://mixlr.com/peoria-rivermen/