For Immediate Release:

February 24, 2019

 

DAWGS OUT-GUNNED BY RIVERMEN, 4-2

Jeff Jones extends goal-scoring streak to four games in loss

PEORIA, Il. – Jeff Jones scored for the fourth straight game and Jacob Caffrey made 31 saves but the Rail Yard Dawgs were defeated by the Peoria Rivermen, 4-2, Sunday afternoon at Carver Arena.

Peoria opened the scoring in the first period while working on a power play. The Rivermen cycled the puck around the perimeter and eventually found Guillaume Naud at the left wing circle. He uncorked a slap shot that beat Caffrey high and the Rivermen took a 1-0 lead.

They added to that advantage with another power play tally in the second period. Justin Greenberg took a shot from outside the right wing circle that Pijus Rulevicius deflected in front. The puck bounced past Caffrey and into the net, extending the lead to 2-0.

Later in the period, the Dawgs drew a penalty at the tail end of a penalty kill and were granted an offensive zone faceoff to begin four-on-four play. They won the draw and Jesse Schwartz fed Colin Murray for a one-timer from the right wing circle that he blasted past Stephen Klein, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

Peoria came out guns blazing however in the third. Caffrey’s play helped keep them at bay until Mike Gurtler was sprung for a breakaway with just over six minutes to play. He barreled down the left wing and ripped a shot past Caffrey low on the glove side, pushing the lead back to two.

The Rivermen tacked one more on later in the third when Mitchell McPherson was set up for a one-timer from the right circle. Roanoke answered in the final minute as Jones deflected a Travis Armstrong shot from the point, bringing the score to 4-2. Jones’ goal was his sixth in his past seven games and game him goals in four straight games.

Roanoke is now winless in its last four games and its record moved to 20-19-4. The Rivermen improved to 34-4-5 in the win. The Rail Yard Dawgs will take Monday off before returning to action on Tuesday night in Moline against the Quad City Storm. Puck drop at Taxslayer Center is scheduled for 6:30 PM CST and the pregame show on the Haley Toyota Rail Yard Dawgs Hockey Network begins at 6:15 PM CST.

 

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