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.