By Brian Weidler, "Game Time" Prospect Department
AFTER THE JUMP:
All the news, notes and stats you ever wanted to hear about the Peoria-Houston 2011 AHL Calder Cup Playoff series.
This is also your Game Day Thread, so cut loose in the comments. Links to streaming radio and AHL Live PPV video will be posted as soon as they are available.
NEWS AND NOTES:
Houston is the only team the Rivermen have ever faced in the AHL playoffs. In Peoria's first AHL season, 2005-06, the Rivermen were swept in the opening round by the Aeros. In 2008-09, the last time either Peoria or Houston appeared in the AHL playoffs, the Aeros defeated the Rivermen in a series that went all seven games.
The series was played with two games in Peoria (split 1-1), two games in Houston (Peoria won both, one in OT), and one game at a "neutral" site (The XCel Energy Center in St. Paul, home of the Minnesota Wild, Houston's parent club).
Peoria and Houston have not faced one another since Feb. 13 in St. Paul. In the five games played in the season series, nine different Rivermen have scored goals, but only one -- T.J. Hensick -- has scored more than once. The top Peoria scorers vs. Houston this season are as follows:
| T.J. HENSICK | David SPINA | Mark CUNDARI | Derek NESBITT | Adam CRACKNELL |
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 |
 |
 |
 |
| Peoria (AHL) | Peoria (AHL) | Peoria (AHL) | Peoria (AHL) | Peoria (AHL) |
| ** 5 games played this week | ** 5 games played this week | ** 4 games played this week | ** 2 games played this week | ** 5 games played this week |
| ** 4 G, 3 A, plus-3 | ** 1 G, 3 A, plus-4 | ** 0 G, 4 A, plus-1 | ** 1 G, 2 A, plus-1 | ** 1 G, 2 A, plus-1 |
| ** 6 PM, 0 PP, 0 SH, 0 GW | ** 0 PM, 0 PP, 0 SH, 1 GW | ** 16 PM, 0 PP, 0 SH, 0 GW | ** 0 PM, 0 PP, 0 SH, 0 GW | ** 5 PM, 0 PP, 0 SH, 1 GW |
Both Jake Allen and Ben Bishop saw action against the Aeros this season, and both performed well in their playing time. In 214 minutes over three appearances, Allen allowed six goals on 75 shots for a 1.68 GAA and 92.0% save percentage. Allen's record was 2-1-0-0 with one shutout (at home on Nov. 13). Bishop's stat line: 3 GP, 146 minutes, 2 GA, 70 shots against, 0.82 GAA, 97.1% save percentage, 2-0-0-0 record, 1 SO (in Houston on Oct. 22).
THE SEASON SERIES IN REVIEW:
Peoria 3 at Houston 2, Oct. 16, 2010.
Peoria 1 at Houston 0 (OT), Oct 22, 2010.
Peoria 3 vs Houston 0, Nov 13, 2010.
Peoria 2 vs Houston 5, Nov 14, 2010.
Peoria 3 at Houston 1, Feb. 13, 2011. Game played at XCel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN.
THE PLAYOFF SERIES AHEAD:
West Division Semifinal – Series "H" (best-of-7)
W2-Houston Aeros vs. W3-Peoria Rivermen
Game 1 – Wed., Apr. 13 – Peoria at Houston, 8:05 CDT
Game 2 – Fri., Apr. 15 – Peoria at Houston, 8:35 CDT
Game 3 – Mon., Apr. 18 – Houston at Peoria, 8:05 CDT
Game 4 – Tue., Apr. 19 – Houston at Peoria, 8:05 CDT
* Game 5 – Wed., Apr. 20 – Houston at Peoria, 8:05 CDT
* Game 6 – Fri., Apr. 22 – Peoria at Houston, 8:35 CDT
* Game 7 – Sun., Apr. 24 – Peoria at Houston, 5:05 CDT
* If Necessary
RIVERMEN NEWS LINKS:
Will resume when subscription to PJStar online is acquired.
BY THE NUMBERS:
Peoria Rivermen 2010-11 Scoring and Penalty Statistics.
Houston Aeros 2010-11 Scoring and Penalty Statistics.