Peoria up a river without a paddle in 3-2 loss

PEORIA, Ill – After getting creamed on the road the night before by an 8-1 score, the Peoria Rivermen were hoping to gain a little redemption at home against the Grand Rapids Griffins. They didn’t find any as they turned in a performance that was better, but only marginally so. The 7369 fans saw the Rivermen skate into the AHL All-Star break with little energy in a lackluster showing during a 3-2 loss.
The Rivermen found themselves on the power play just over four minutes into the game. Nathan Oystrick sent Phil McRae a pass, who in turn fed David Spina, who was camped in front of the net. Spina couldn’t do much with the puck, but didn’t need to as the redirected puck rolled on its’ edge between the pads of Grand Rapids goaltender Jordan Pearce and across the goal line, into the net to put the Rivermen ahead 1-0.
In the second period, Grand Rapds got a power play goal, as well. Good pressure finally gave Jamie Tardif an opening and he slipped a rebound under Jake Allen’s outstretched glove to even the score just 5:21 into the middle frame..
Later on, the Griffins forced a two-on-two. Jan Mursak crossed behind Tardif and into the slot and fired a shot past a screened Allen for the 2-1 lead. It was a lead they would not relinquish.
The Griffins tacked on another power play goal at 4:50 of the third period when Chris Minard redirected a Doug Janik shot past Allen.
Consecutive double-minor penalties to the Rivermen put Grand Rapids on, essentially, an eight minute power play starting at 6:14 when Nathan Oystrick was assessed four minutes. With just 13 seconds remaining in hispenalty, Brennan Evens received a double-minor, as well. With 44 seconds left on Evans penalty, referee Mark Lemelin called a delayed penalty on Janik. As the play was whistled dead, TJ Hensik and Janik got into a bit of a kerfuffle and both were assessed additional roughing minors. While the Grand Rapids power play ended at seven consecutive minutes, the Rivermen would play shorthanded for well over half of the third period.
The Rivermen did attempt a comeback, score goal with Allen pulled at the end of the game. Chris Porter, in the slot, took a feed from McRae and blasted the puck past Pearce. That was all there would be, though.
The gamesheet shows the Griffins went two for ten on the power play while the Rivermen scored once in five power play tries. They also scored once with an extra attacker. Grand Rapids lead the way in shots on goal, as well, with a 36-25 advantage.
Contact the author: Shaun.Bill@ProHockeyNews.com