From: Ryan Stanzel
Director of Communications
Saturday, March 3, 2007
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)

Rivermen 6, Aeros 1
Official Box Score

PEORIA, Ill. – Mike Glumac scored two of Peoria’s four goals in a 3:15 span of the third period, Cam Keith added a fifth third-period tally, and Trent Whitfield, Charles Linglet and Gavin Morgan each finished with a goal and an assist apiece, as the Peoria Rivermen knocked off the Houston Aeros 6-1 at Carver Arena. Marek Schwarz made 27 saves and Glumac added an assist for a three-point night for Peoria (30-20-2-4), which is unbeaten in regulation in its last six games (4-0-0-2).

Matt Foy tallied a power play goal and Tony Quesada made 33 saves in his first AHL start since December 30 for Houston (21-30-3-6) is winless in a new franchise record 10 straight road games (0-7-2-1). The Aeros, winless in six in a row overall (0-5-0-1), are in Peoria again on Sunday to continue a stretch of nine out of 10 games away from Toyota Center.

The game was tied 1-1 after two periods, before Houston’s third-period woes continued. The Aeros have not held a scoring advantage in the third period in 11 of their last 13 games, including a 2-0 deficit last night and 5-0 tonight. In their last nine games, the Aeros have been outscored 16-4 in the final 20 minutes. Houston has been outscored 66-50 in the third period this season.

Quesada didn’t have much time to get adjusted – defenseman Doug Lynch fired from the circle in the opening minute, but Quesada made a glove save.

Aeros centerman Bryan Lundbohm saved a goal 3:22 into the game, after Rocky Thompson misfired on a 2-on-1. John Scott also picked up a hooking minor for helping to prevent the puck from going into the net.

It took the Aeros eight minutes to register their first shot. Just after that, Aeros heavyweight Joey Tetarenko greeted Hans Benson, playing in just his second straight game. The pair squared off at center ice. Benson, who won a CHL championship with Laredo last season, is a first cousin of Chicago Bears running back Cedrick Benson, a former Texas Longhorn.

Danny Irmen got impeded from behind on a late breakaway in the first. Schwarz made the save, although the Aeros went on the power play.

The Aeros have not led after one period in six games.

Houston had a good chance six minutes into the second, but Schwarz covered up two attempts from Joel Ward.

The Aeros spent much of the second period penalty killing, picking up three straight minors. The last infraction – a tripping call to Peter Olvecky – helped Peoria take a 1-0 lead with 5:53 left in the middle period.

Jon DiSalvatore won a faceoff to Jamie Rivers, who found a cutting Whitfield in front. Quesada came out to challenge Whitfield and pokechecked the puck away, but as Whitfield fell backwards into the right circle he slid the puck into an open net with Aeros defenseman Curtis Murphy diving back.

Tonight marked the fifth time in six games the Aeros have allowed the game’s first goal.

Schwarz made a fine save on Foy late in the second, but he was tripped on the play, giving the Aeros 45 seconds of a 5-on-3. Schwarz swallowed up Murphy’s right point blast on the two-man advantage.

But Foy tallied his 24th with the Aeros still on the power play, with 29 ticks left in the second. He took a pass from Erik Reitz in the left circle and slid a centering feed for Jason Morgan at the right doorstep. A sprawled Schwarz made the save, but Foy tapped in the rebound inside the left post to snap a string of 21 straight power plays without a goal.

Foy’s goal – the 62nd of his career – tied Brian Wiseman for fifth place on the team’s all-time list. Among AHL Aeros, only Kirby Law (68) has more. The tally also snapped Foy’s five-game streak without a goal.

In his first career fight, Ward earned a win over Gavin Morgan early in the third.

Less than a minute later, Tetarenko pounded Benson in their second bout of the night. He landed countless roundhouse rights to Benson’s head.

Peoria then got a power play after a hooking penalty to Benoit Pouliot. The Rivermen broke in 2-on-0, but Quesada robbed Yan Stastny.

Just as the Aeros finished killing Pouliot’s penalty, Ryan Stokes picked up a high-sticking minor. That Peoria power play was cut short when Cam Keith ran into Quesada.

Then things came unraveled for Houston.

The Rivermen received their third man advantage of the third period, and Glumac’s first of the game put Peoria back on top with 11:04 remaining. Cutting up the right wing side, Whitfield centered a pass for a cutting Glumac, who pushed the puck under Quesada.

Just 1:03 later, Glumac one-timed a pass from Linglet in the right circle to make it 3-1. Thompson then set up Morgan’s third of the season at the 11:56 mark. Linglet finished off a 2-on-1 with Glumac only 17 seconds later for a 5-1 advantage.

Rivers dumped Foy on a breakaway, setting up a penalty shot with 6:34 remaining. Schwarz deflected the puck wide with his glove.

Keith’s sixth of the season ended things with 35 seconds left.

Houston finished 1-for-4 on the power play, while Peoria went 2-for-7.

Notes:

Not dressing for the Aeros were Mattias Weinhandl, Chris Ovington, Aaron Voros and Ben Thomson.

Goalie Miroslav Kopriva was reassigned to the Aeros by the Minnesota Wild prior to the game. Kopriva backed up Josh Harding Thursday in Edmonton.

Houston gave up five goals in a period for the first time since January 6, 2006, against Grand Rapids. The team record is seven.

The Aeros are 3-15-2-2 this season in games in which goalie Josh Harding doesn’t play. Harding remains on recall to NHL Minnesota.

Murphy still has 199 points (55-144=199) in 300 career games in Houston.

The Aeros fell to 2-21-2-2 when scoring two or fewer goals.

Houston is 1-6-0-0 in its last seven regular season trips to Carver Arena.

The Aeros went winless in nine straight road games (0-7-2-0) from January 31-February 26, 2004.