The Rivermen finished their seventh three-games in three-days series this past weekend before embarking on an eight-day holiday break. Peoria is now 14-15-1-1 through 31 games – the most in the Western Conference. The Rivermen are tied with Chicago for third place in the Midwest Division and seventh place in the Western Conference with 30 points.

Dec. 16 – W 5-2 at Rockford
Peoria completed a four-game road trip with a 5-2 win over the Rockford IceHogs on Friday night. Jake Allen stopped a career-high 42 shots on goal while Jonathan Cheechoo, Derek Nesbitt and Tyler Shattock each tallied a goal and an assist. The Rivermen converted one of two power play chances while Rockford went 1-for-4. Rookie Chase Polacek scored his first career AHL goal in the win.

Dec. 17 – W 2-0 vs. Toronto | HIGHLIGHTS
T.J. Hensick and Cheechoo each registered their 10th goals of the season in addition to an assist in a 2-0 win over the Toronto Marlies on Saturday night. Ben Bishop stopped all 26 shots on goal en route to his league-leading fourth shutout this season. The Rivermen went 0-for-5 on the power play while Toronto finished 0-for-4.

Dec. 18 – L 3-1 at Milwaukee
Brett Sterling score just nine minutes into the first period, but the Milwaukee Admirals countered with three unanswered goals and won 3-0 on Sunday evening. Jake Allen saved 26 of 29 shots on goal and held Milwaukee scoreless on all four power-play opportunities. The Rivermen also failed to convert on each of their four power plays.

Rivermen Report

• Veteran goaltender Ben Bishop is tied for fourth in the AHL in save percentage (.930) and eighth in goals against average (2.24). As previously mentioned, Bishop is the first goaltender in the league to reach four shutouts this season. Prior to the 2011-12 campaign, Bishop registered just three career AHL shutouts in 121 games with the Rivermen.
• T.J. Hensick’s four-point weekend has time tied for third in points among league leaders at 37 (10g, 27a). His 27 assists are tied with Hersey’s Chris Bourque for second in the league.
• Rookie defenseman Cade Fairchild is tied for the league lead in plus-minus at +19 with Norfolk’s Mark Barberio.
• Although defenseman Danny Syvret didn’t register a point this weekend, he has scored 19 points (2g, 17a) this year – fourth best among AHL defensemen. His 17 assists also rank fourth best in the league.
• Peoria has converted exactly 20% of its power plays this season, tied for eighth in the AHL. After stopping 11 of 12 man advantages this weekend, the Rivermen penalty kill grades 11th in the league at 83.1%.

Transactions

• Dec. 13 – Evgeny Grachev (LW) loaned from St. Louis (NHL)
• Dec. 14 – Chris Bruton (RW) signed to PTO
• Dec. 17 – Mike Radja (C), Ryan Palmer (D) and Maury Edwards (D) signed to PTO
• Dec. 18 -- Mike Radja (C), Ryan Palmer (D) and Maury Edwards (D) released from PTO
• Dec. 18 – Derrick LaPoint (D) signed to PTO
• Dec. 18 – Chris Bruton (RW) and Derrick LaPoint (D) released from PTO

The Rivermen will return to the ice on Monday, December 26 against the Chicago Wolves at 7 p.m. at Carver Arena.