Rivermen Lose 3-1 To Conference's Last-place Team, Hamilton

The Peoria Rivermen proved to be more bark than bite against the Hamilton Bulldogs in a duel between last-place teams Saturday.   Peoria mustered 43 shots but surrendered the game-winning goal with just 2:40 left in the third period to slide to a 3-1 loss before 4,830 at Copps Coliseum.   The Rivermen, last in the Midwest Division, lost for the sixth time in nine games despite the best efforts of goaltender Mike McKenna, who held the team in a 1-1 duel for more than 57 minutes.   A Rivermen club spokseman announced during the team's game broadcast that rookie goaltender Paul Karpowich will get his first AHL start for Peoria at Toronto on Sunday.