Barons lose another late lead, fall to Peoria Rivermen

A few seconds later, on the same shift, Hall was whistled for a hooking penalty. Peoria capitalized with Andrew Murray's power-play goal. Two minutes later, the Rivermen's T.J. Hensick put Peoria up 2-1.

“We stopped doing some of the things that made us successful in the first period,” Green said. “We didn't work hard enough. They outshot us, outworked us. We have to find a way to get through this stretch we're in right now.”

In late November, the Barons went 6-0-1, collecting 13 of 14 possible points to soar up the AHL South Division standings. But in the last five games, OKC has collected only one of 10 possible points to fall to fourth in the South.

“We have to get through this,” Nelson said. “We're not playing horrible hockey. But I don't know if the guys realize the significance of where we're at right now. This was kind of a heartbreaker. ... We have to put the brakes on this.”

Both Barons goals were on the power play. In addition to Hall's goal, Teemu Hartikainen tipped in Justin Schultz's shot late in the second period to tie the game 2-2.

The Barons play three division games this weekend. They host San Antonio Friday and Saturday followed by a road game Sunday at Houston.

“We've got to find a way to win some of these games in the third period,” said Schultz, who had two assists. “Until we do that we're not going to be one of the top teams in the league.”