Rivermen drop 4-2 decision to IceHogs in preseason opener

by Tomorrows Blues on Sep 26, 2009 10:49 AM CDT in Game Time Prospect Department

At Carver Arena in Peoria last night. Rematch tonight at The Big Orange Box in downtown Rockford.

Lars Eller gets on the scoresheet 42 seconds into his North American debut, and St. Louis native Jack Combs chips in an assist as well. Chris Morehouse, who was at the Pro Orientation Camp, looks to be working hard to win a spot on the roster as well.

Hannu Toivonen gets bowled over by Akim Aliu -- who sounds like he's going to be a serious thorn-in-one's-side that the Rivermen will have to deal with all year long -- but stays in the game, and stops 36 of 39 shots against for a 92.3% save percentage.

Here's a nice photo of Eller, by Ron Johnson of the Peoria Journal-Star staff:

Game aricle from Rivermen.net.

Game article from the Peoria Journal-Star.

Box score, also courtesy of the Peoria Journal-Star.

ICEHOGS 4, RIVERMEN 2

Scoring ... 1st . 2nd . 3rd . F

Rockford ... 1 ... 1 ... 2 -- 4

Rivermen ... 2 ... 0 ... 0 -- 2

First period -- 1 Rivermen, Cracknell 1 (Morehouse, Eller), :42. 2 Rivermen, Ryznar 1 (Richmond, Combs), 5:25. 3 Rockford, Kearns 1 (Nesbitt), 7:01. Penalties -- Hellstrom, Peo, minor-double major (2-min instigating, 5-min fighting, 10-min misconduct), 9:03; Aliu, Rck, major (5-min fighting), 9:03; Reaves, Peo (highsticking), 19:23.

Second period -- 4 Rockford, Hodgman 1 (Danis-Pepin, Ewing), 19:32. Penalties -- Morehouse, Peo (roughing), 10:46; Danis-Pepin, Rck (roughing), 10:46.

Third period -- 5 Rockford, Aliu 1 (Davis), 15:20. 6 Rockford, Nesbitt 1 (en) (Cullen), 19:09. Penalties -- Fast, Peo (slashing), 2:17; Flinn, Rck (goaltender interference), 9:15; Morehouse, Peo, major (5-min fighting), 13:25; Brennan, Rck, major (5-min fighting), 13:25; Love, Peo, minor-major (slashing, 10-min misconduct), minor served by Combs, 15:38; Cullen, Rck (holding), 16:57.

Shots on goal -- Rockford 10 15 15 -- 40. Rivermen 7 14 9 -- 30.

Power play chances -- Rockford, 0 of 4. Rivermen, 0 of 3.

Goalies -- Rockford, Richards 1-0-0 (30 shots-28 saves). Rivermen, Toivonen 0-1-0 (39-36), 1 empty-net goal.

Officials -- Referee, Kaval. Linesmen -- Bokal, Kneale.

Attendance -- 1,807.

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Comments

2 Grand for a preseason game in P-Town . . .

ain’t that bad. Maybe the Coyotes should move to Carver Arena!

In a related story . . . Fuck Rockford! Except Cheap Trick, they’re cool.

Anyway, great stuff as always B. Nice to hear Eller acclimating himself to North America quickly.

One day, David Backes and Albert Pujols will combine forces to become the most awesome piece of violent force known to man.

by Donut King on Sep 26, 2009 1:21 PM CDT reply actions

Yay Lars!

Would have been nice to read about a win, but it’s preseason for the babies, so it’s fine.

Thanks for this, Mr. Department. I blame you for the fact that I know/care about our prospects. Which seems nice, until they start getting traded away and I also blame you for the fact that I’m curled up in a ball crying in my room because Aaron Palushaj got sent to the Oilers, or whatever…

by TheDubGee on Sep 26, 2009 5:27 PM CDT reply actions