By Brian Weidler, "Game Time" Prospect Department
FROEHLICHE WEINACHTEN FROM THE RIVERMEN AND YOUR GTPD:
Maybe this is a day late and a dollar short, but please enjoy the Peoria Rivermen and their presentation of "A Visit From St. Nicholas." Everyone's here except Nikita Nikitin, who either was not comfortable enough with his English to take part, or else had already "flew in from Miami Beach B.O.A.C, didn't get to bed last night" on his way "Back In The U.S.S.R." for the holidays.
And HERE is a link to the article at the Peoria Journal-Star that accompanies the video, where some of the Rivermen talk about their own holiday traditions.
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT:
Due to a lack of games organization-wide this week, thanks to Christmas break, we will be combining "Prospect Sunday" and "River Readings" for this week only. "River Readings" will return as a separate feature next week, along with the weekly prospect statistics update.
PROSPECT PROMOTIONS / DEMOTIONS:
2010-12-19: Adam Cracknell (RW), called up to St. Louis (NHL) from Peoria (AHL)
2010-12-19: Todd Perry (D), released from PTO contract by Peoria (AHL)
2010-12-21: Derek Nesbitt (RW), released from PTO contract and signed to Standard AHL Player Contract by Peoria (AHL). LINK to article at the Peoria Journal-Star.
PROSPECT TRADES:
None to report this week.
AFTER THE JUMP:
The Featured Prospect Of The Week will return after the New Year with University of Minnesota defenseman Cade Fairchild. Meanwhile, get a look at this week's "Fab Five" of players in the organization who are "Trending Up."
Also, in River Readings for this week, the Peoria Rivermen had their league-high 13-game point streak come to an end this week, but still remain just two points out of the AHL Western Conference lead. Stay tuned...
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| Ben BISHOP | Mark CUNDARI | T.J. HENSICK | Anthony NIGRO | Nikita NIKITIN |
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| Peoria (AHL) | Peoria (AHL) | Peoria (AHL) | Peoria (AHL) | Peoria (AHL) |
| ** 2 games played this week | ** 2 games played this week | ** 2 games played this week | ** 2 games played this week | ** 2 games played this week |
| ** 119 mins, 5 GA, 1-1-0 | ** 0 G, 2 A, plus-1 | ** 1 G, 2 A, minus-2 | ** 2 G, 0 A, even | ** 1 G, 1 A, even |
| ** 2.51 GAA, 87.2% sv pct, SO | ** 0 PM, 0 PP, 0 SH, 0 GW | ** 5 PM, 0 PP, 0 SH, 0 GW | ** 2 PM, 1 PP, 0 SH, 0 GW | ** 0 PM, 1 PP, 0 SH, 0 GW |
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WEEK IN REVIEW:
The Rivermen played only twice in the last seven days, and Ben Bishop got the start in both games.
On Sunday, Dec., 19, Bishop and the Rivermen shut out the Lake Erie (Cleveland, OH) Monsters at Carver Arena by a 4-0 score. Veteran forward Graham Mink and rookie defenseman Mark Cundari each picked up a pair of assists, as AHL-contracted forward Derek Nesbitt scored the GWG on a power play 2:46 into the first period. Prospects T.J. Hensick, Ryan Reaves, and Anthony Nigro also tallied for the Rivermen, while Bishop turned aside all 14 shots sent his way by the Monsters.
LINK to game article at the Peoria Journal-Star.
On Tuesday, Dec. 21, Bishop again got the start in goal against the Toronto Marlies, but the Rivermen seemed to get an early start in their Christmas vacation. Nigro's second goal of the week put the Rivermen ahead 1-0 early, and an early third-period goal by Nikita Nikitin knotted the score at three, but a pair of goals 12 seconds apart by the Marlies put the game away, and an empty-netter by Christian Hanson at 17:33 provided the final 6-3 margin of victory for Toronto.
LINK to game article at the Peoria Journal-Star.
THE WEEK AHEAD:
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Dec. 27 and 28, 2010 ... Game Time 7:30 PM at MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba. NHL Affiliate: Vancouver Canucks.
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Dec. 31, 2010 ... Game Time 6:05 PM at Carver Arena, Peoria, Illinois. NHL Affiliate: Nashville Predators.
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Jan. 1, 2011 ... Game Time 7:00 PM EST at Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Michigan. NHL Affiliate: Detroit Red Wings.