Rivermen hurt by 2-1 loss Sunday v Wolves

The Chicago Wolves defeated the Peoria Rivermen 2-1, Sunday, in a contest at the Carver Arena. It was the first time the two American Hockey League West Division foes had met since December 19th and marked the seventh game this season between the two teams.

The Rivermen, in sixth place in the West Division, were dealt a blow, today, when the St. Louis Blues assigned goalie Chris Beckford-Tseu to the Alaska Aces of the ECHL. The hopes of the team now rest with a rookie, up from the University of Maine, Ben Bishop and also Marek Schwarz.

Bishop had a 13-18 record with the Black Bears this season, with a 92.3 save percentage, which was the third best in a season for the team. His 819 season saves were fifth in Maine’s history.

Schwarz has a save percentage of 89.5, and a record of 12-11-2.

The two teams meet three more times in the next month. The Rivermen have edged the Quad City Flames for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, probably a North Division spot due to weakness in that division. Although the Rivermen lead the fourth place North Division Hamilton Bulldogs by three points with a game in hand, two surging teams are ahead of the Rivermen.

The Milwaukee Admirals, with a 7-3 record in the last ten games, have 75 points, or a three point lead, with the Rivermen having a game in hand. While the Houston Aeros, technically in fifth place, have a one-point lead and three games in hand over the Rivermen. The Aeros are also 7-3 in their last ten games.

The Rivermen play the Admirals twice in the next week, the Aeros three games in the next three weeks.

Blues organization, too much talent?

The St. Louis Blues are not typically a team considered over blessed with young talent. But the Anchorage Daily News details how the Alaska Aces, on the ECHL end of the pipeline from St. Louis and Peoria, have two extra bodies aboard for a road trip this weekend.

Sticking in Peoria is Eric Neilson, according to the report, with three fisticuffs and 29 PiM since his call-up. Down is leading Aces scorer Josh Soares and goalie Marek Schwarz. The Rivermen received Derek Gustafson from Alaska.

The likely Rivermen goalie is Hannu Toivonen with five American Hockey League starts. He has a 4-1 record so far and stops 88.3 percent of shots.