Ryan Ramsay, Gavin Morgan and Tomas Mozjis each scored twice as Peoria rolled to an 8-2 win over Houston on Tuesday night, closing the gap in the West Division standings.
The Rivermen scored five power-play goals in extending the Aeros’ winless streak to seven games. Peoria, 8-1-2-0 in its last 11 games, now trails second-place Houston by six points in the West.
After taking a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, the Rivermen scored four times in a span of 4:33 to break the game open early in the second period.
Three more goals in the opening 5:05 of the third period gave Peoria an 8-0 advantage.
David Backes, a 2003 second-round draft pick by St. Louis, had a goal and two assists for the Rivermen. Peter Sejna added three assists.
Patrick O’Sullivan and Peter Olvecky scored late for the Aeros, who are 0-5-1-1 in their last seven games and 2-6-1-1 since goaltender Josh Harding was recalled by the parent Minnesota Wild.
Kirby Law recorded an assist to become the first AHL player this season to reach 100 points.
IOWA 3, SAN ANTONIO 1
Toby Petersen snapped a tie with 4:52 left in regulation to propel Iowa to a 3-1 win over San Antonio on Tuesday night.
The win moves the Stars to within three points of fourth-place Omaha in the West Division.
Junior Lessard and David Oliver also scored and Loui Eriksson recorded three assists for Iowa, which finished with a 48-20 edge in shots on goal.
Jeff Taffe scored early for the Rampage, who avoided being shut out for the fourth consecutive game. It was San Antonio’s first goal in 224 minutes, 17 seconds.
TORONTO 4, MANITOBA 3 (SO)
J.F. Racine made 30 saves before stopping three of four shootout attempts to backstop Toronto to a 4-3 win in Manitoba.
Racine improved to 5-0 in shootouts this season, and the Marlies moved to within six points of the third-place Moose on the North Division.
Brad Leeb scored his 29th and 30th goals of the season for Toronto, which earned a point for the sixth straight game (5-0-1-0). Bates Battaglia added three assists for Toronto.
Rick Rypien scored twice for the Moose, who rallied from an early 2-0 deficit.
Manitoba hosts Toronto again on Wednesday night.
