Game Time PROSPECT SUNDAY for Dec. 16, 2012

1. Don't look now, but the Peoria Rivermen are just one win out of a share of first place in the AHL's Midwest Division. The Euro leagues are almost all shut down until after Christmas; major juniors and colleges, too.

By Brian Weidler, "Game Time" Prospect Department

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PROSPECT TRANSACTIONS THIS WEEK

12-10-12: The following players removed from the active rosters of their teams while attending Selection Camps for 2013 World Junior Championships:

-- G Jordan Binnington (Owen Sound/OHL) - Canada.

-- RW Dmitrij Jaskin (Moncton/QMJHL) - Czech Republic.

-- D Petteri Lindbohm (Jokerit/SM-Liiga) - Finland.

-- G Niklas Lundström (AIK Solna/Elitserien) - Sweden.

-- RW Ty Rattie (Portland/WHL) - Canada.

12-13-12: RW Sebastian Wännström reassigned to Peoria (AHL) from Evansville (ECHL) by St. Louis (NHL).

12-13-12: C Anthony Nigro reassigned from Peoria (AHL) to Evansville (ECHL) by St. Louis (NHL).

12-14-12: RW Mackenzie Maceachern (Chicago/USHL) returned to lineup from injury.

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PROSPECT INJURY REPORT

11-19-12: C Tyrel Seaman (Brandon/WHL) out indefinitely with concussion symptoms.

11-25-12: D Jani Hakanpää (Blues Espoo/SML) out through December with lower body injury.

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FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR RIVERMEN

After a slow start that had many people -- including your "Game Time" Prospect Department -- wondering just what was the matter in Peoria, the Rivermen have come to life and are now squarely in the thick of the race in the AHL's Midwest Division.

We'll let Rivs' beat writer Dave Eminian in the Peoria Journal Star tell you about it...

PEORIA — The Peoria Rivermen went Russian to an epic conclusion Saturday against the Milwaukee Admirals.

Down 1-0 and with time speeding away, the Rivermen rallied with a pair of goals with under five minutes left from Russians Sergey Andronov and Evgeny Grachev to stun the Admirals and complete a 3-1 comeback victory before 6,883 at Carver Arena.

That made goaltender Mike McKenna a winner and gave Peoria its fifth win in six games to pull the Rivermen to within two points of the Midwest Division lead.

More details to come later in the day today; for now, here's a nifty highlight package from last night's win, courtesy of the Rivs' official web site.

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FEATURES THIS WEEK

No "River Readings" feature for two weeks, and Peoria has won five of their last six. Coincidence, or is this the Rivermen team that we've been waiting for? Details and discussion on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 6:00 PM Central.

Some different -- but not necessarily new -- faces in this week's "Fab Five." All have made the cut at least one other time this year. Details and discussion on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 7:00 PM Central.

All the prospect scoring, penalty, and goaltending statistics a Blues' fan could want... minor pro, Europe, major junior and college. Details and discussion on Monday, Dec. 17 at 7:00 PM Central.