ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey -- The Western Conference rallied from a four-goal deficit to defeat the Eastern Conference 8-7 in a shootout victory Monday at the 2012 AHL All-Star Game at historic Boardwalk Hall.
Goalie Ben Bishop of the Peoria Rivermen stopped 10 of 11 shots in the third period before denying all four East shootout attempts. Bishop, who is 18-12-0 with a league-leading six shutouts for Peoria this season, was named the 2012 AHL All-Star Game MVP.
Chris Terry of the Charlotte Checkers led the West offense with two goals and an assist.
The Eastern Conference raced out to a 6-2 lead after one period and held a 7-5 advantage before Peoria’s T.J. Hensick and Chicago’s Kevin Connauton scored late in the third period to tie the game. Hensick and Texas rookie Matt Fraser scored in the shootout to lift the West to victory.
Rookie Cory Conacher of the Norfolk Admirals recorded two goals and an assist for the East, and Connecticut Whale teammates Mats Zuccarello and Jonathan Audy-Marchessault notched a goal and an assist apiece.
Corey Locke of the Binghamton Senators and Keith Aucoin of the Hershey Bears both tied an American Hockey League record, appearing in their sixth career All-Star Games.
Boyd Kane of the Bears captained the East squad, which also featured Hershey's Chris Bourque.
Some information used in this story was provided by the American Hockey League.
