Rivermen upset Barons

PEORIA, ILL –   It looked like David versus Goliath on paper. The first place Oklahoma City Barons came into Peoria’s Carver Arena on Friday night leading the Western Division of the AHL. Their top goalie, Yann Danis allowed less

than two goals per game coming into this contest. To say that the Barons have been dominating is an understatement. As for Peoria, “struggling” would be the best and most generous word to describe the team. Holding down the 8^th and final playoff spot in the standings, they were missing their top forward and defenseman, on call-up to the NHL.
 
So, in front of 5585 screaming fans, the Rivermen pulled off the upset, beating the Barons 4-2 and dominating the game at almost every turn. Keeping the Barons out of their offensive zone while constantly pressuring Danis at the other end was key.
 
Danny Syvret started it off when his slap shot from just inside the blueline went untouched past a screened Baron’s goaltender Yann Davis on a power play. Anthony Nigro and Adam Cracknell set up the screen and Jonathan Cheechoo and Brett Sterling had the assists at 6:21 of the first period.
 
The Rivermen played a little Tic-Tac-Toe a few minutes later. Brett Sonne, Syvret and Tyler Shattock combined some nifty passing in front of Davis and it was Shattock finishing the play for the 2-0 Peoria lead at 10:16 of the opening frame to stake the home team to a two to nothing lead.
 
After some pushing and shoving just a couple of minutes into the second period, both teams sent their big guns on the ice and Anthony Peluso andTriston Grant dropped the gloves. It was a long fight. Grant landed one punch early but Peluso dominated the bout without landing a decisive punch. The fight was stopped when Grant lost his jersey.
 
Ryan Keller responded almost immediately by putting a backhanded shot over the glove shoulder of Rivermen goaltender Jake Allen at 3:27 of the second period. Drawing the Barons within one, 2-1, Tanner House and Antti Tyrainen added assists on the play.
 
The Rivermen started the third period with 52 seconds of leftover power play. The Rivermen got right down to business, working the puck and passing. Their hard work paid off when Cheechoo caught Danis on the wrong side of the net and smacked the one-timer from Syvret for a 3-1 lead.
 
The Barons fought back immediately when, just 25 seconds later, Ryan Keller drew Allen to the right post before dishing to Mark Arcobello on the left side. Arcobello filled the open net to again draw Oklahoma City to within a goal early in the third period.
 
The Rivermen peppered Danis with shots and Nesbitt and Sterling were battling along the boards at 13:19 of the third period when Sterling found Phil McRae open at the top of the slot. McRae skipped a shot over Danis’ glove for the 4-2 lead.
 
Allen won for just the seventh time this season, stopping 33 of 35 shots. Danis took the loss and stopped 25 of 29 Rivermen shots. Peoria had five power play chances and rung up goals twice. Oklahoma City had only one power play opportunity and could not cash in.
 
Contact the author: Shaun.Bill@ProHockeyNews.com