PEORIA, IL – Eight games into the 2013-2014 season, Ryan Raven broke an ankle. After sixteen months of surgeries and rehab, Raven took to the ice last weekend. After Friday night’s performance, it is safe to say that Raven is better than ever.
Raven figured in every goal by scoring once and assisting on two others while posting a plus-three rating as the Peoria Rivermen downed the Mississippi RiverKings. Peoria used a strong third period with two goals while holding the visitors to one shot on net to send the crowd of 5,061 home happy.
After a high energy but scoreless first period, Raven helped o open the scoring in the second period when he broke in with teammate Mike Gurtler on Mississippi goalie Peter DiSalvo. DiSalvo stopped Raven’s shot but the rebound went to Gurtler who buried the puck in the back of the net at the 10:49 mark of the frame.
Mississippi evened the score thanks to a two-man power play advantage. Leo Thomas was credited with the score when his pass across the crease hit a skate and deflected past Rivermen netminder Kyle Rank. The goal at 17:30 of the frame sent the game into the final period tied at 1-1.
Peoria took the lead for good 4:40 into the third. Gurtler took a stick to the face, causing a delayed penalty against the RiverKings. With an extra attacker on the ice, John Harris drove the Mississippi net, faked a pass and beat DiSalvo with a shot to put the Rivermen ahead for good.
Raven sealed the deal at the 16:34 mark when he broke in on DiSalvo. Despite a defender going down to block the shot, Raven went high and found the back of the net to provide Peoria with an insurance tally.
Despite the loss, DiSalvo played well making 38 saves to give his team a chance. With the win, Rank improved his record to 24-9-2 by stopping 14 of the 15 shots he faced.
Peoria was unsuccessful on four power play opportunities while Mississippi connected once in five tries
The two teams will meet again in Peoria Saturday night.
Contact the author at shaun.bill@prohockeynews.com or follow him on Twitter @SLBatPHN
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