PEORIA, ILL – The story in Peoria in Friday night was Dov Grumet-Morris. The San Antonio Rampage goaltender played an amazing game, taking a shutout deep into the third period and stopping an onslaught of 21 shots during the second period alone to lead his team over the Peoria Rivermen. Only a late goal by Derek Nesbitt spoiled a near perfect night as the crowd of 4446 went home disappointed and the AHL Western Conference playoff race tightened.
Goaltending was the story early, including a couple of fantastic saves by the Rivermen goaltender. At the midway point of the first period, Bill Thomas intercepted a pass at the top of the slot and walked in alone on Ben Bishop. Bishop made the initial stop and then denied Thomas on the rebound. A few minutes later, Bishop stoned the Rampage again as they managed a two-on-one breakaway.
Greg Rallo broke the spell against Bishop at 15:28 when he was able to tap in a rebound that Bishop thought he had covered. With assists from Roman Derlyuk and James Wright, the Rampage took a 1-0 lead.
Only the Rivermen checking line of Anthony Peluso, Anthony Nigro and Chris Bruton could mount significant offensive pressure during the first period.
The second period started out with a terrific save by Bishop, as he was able to reach behind and deflect the puck with the butt-end of his stick.
It was Grumet-Morris who did the most of the heroics in the second period. The San Antonio goaltender officially stopped 21 shots during the second period. It was a furious if futile period for the Rivermen, as the Rivermen were not able to get on the board, despite heavy offensive pressure throughout the period.
The third period was scoreless as the goalie continued their battle until 17:51 when Scott Timmins surprised Bishop from the glove side to push the San Antonio lead to 2-0.
Play moved in front of Bishop on the ensuing face off before the Rivermen took it back down the ice. Just as Bishop made a move toward the bench for the extra attacker, Nesbitt worked through traffic in the neutral zone, pulling up for a slapshot just as he crossed the blue line. The puck sailed untouched into the back of the net to break the shutout.
Although Peoria played the final 1:51 with an extra attacker, they could not tie the game.
Neither team was able to score on the power play, the Rivermen on three chances and the Rampage on four. Bishop stopped 29 of 31 shots and Grumet-Morris stopped 35 of 36 shots for the win.
The same two teams face off tonight.
Contact the author: Shaun.Bill@ProHockeyNews.com
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