The Rivermen continued their season-long nine-game road trip last week with three games in three days that featured a combined 22 goals. Peoria is now 10-10-1-1 through 22 games, good for second in the Midwest Division and seventh in the Western Conference.

Nov. 25 – L 7-3 at Rockford
After capturing two separate leads, the Peoria Rivermen allowed four third period goals by the Rockford IceHogs in a 7-3 loss at the BMO Harris Bank Center on Friday night. Phil McRae and Brett Sonne each scored in the first period before Rockford evened the score at two apiece. Defenseman Shaun Heshka scored his first goal for the Rivermen in just four games to recapture the lead halfway through the second period, but the Rockford attack broke open the game with a four-goal third period.

Nov. 26 – L 5-3 at Chicago
For the second straight game, the Peoria Rivermen scored on their first shift but it proved to be their only lead of the night as the Chicago Wolves held off the Rivermen 5-3 at Allstate Arena on Saturday. After falling behind 3-1, the Rivermen cut the Chicago lead to one goal on two occasions but failed to regain the lead. Jake Allen stopped 30 of 34 shots on goal in addition to a penalty shot in the first period. Jay Barriball scored his second and third goals of the season while Phil McRae added his eleventh on the campaign.

Nov. 27 – W 4-0 at Chicago
A strong performance from both the Peoria Rivermen offense and goaltender Ben Bishop guided the way to a 4-0 victory over the Chicago Wolves on Sunday. Stopping all 28 shots, Bishop recorded his third shutout of the season while Jonathan Cheechoo picked up his 500th career point in the contest. Barriball picked up his third goal in two games in the contest while Derek Nesbitt, McRae and Cheechoo also scored.

Rivermen Report

• Although he allowed six goals on Friday, Ben Bishop is 9-6-0 with an impressive 2.26 goals-against average and 0.928 save percentage. He is currently ranked seventh in the league in save percentage and tenth in GAA. Bishop’s three shutouts are tied for the league lead.
• After adding three more assists last week, T.J. Hensick is tied for the league-lead in points with 28 (6g, 22a). Hensick’s 22 assists rank second behind Hershey’s Keith Aucoin.
• Although he was promoted to St. Louis two weeks ago, winger Brett Sterling remains tied in second place in AHLgoals with 12.
• Rookie defenseman Cade Fairchild continues to lead the league with a 16 +/- rating this season.
• Defenseman Danny Syvret has tallied 15 points (2g, 13a) in 22 games played this year which puts him in third place among defensemen in points scored.

Transactions

• Nov. 22 – Cade Fairchild (D) recalled from loan by St. Louis (NHL)
• Nov. 25 – Cade Fairchild (D) returned on loan from St. Louis (NHL)

The Rivermen have returned to Peoria for practice this week before the final game of their road trip on Friday in Milwaukee.

• Fri., Dec. 2 @ Milwaukee – 7:00 p.m.
• Sat., Dec. 3 vs. Milwaukee – 7:00 p.m.
• Sun., Dec. 4 vs. Rockford – 5:00 p.m.

Follow the Rivermen on Twitter (@Peoria_Rivermen) and for in depth game information follow @RivsGameday. All game broadcasts are available live and online through www.rivermen.net.