The St. Louis Jr. Blues tried their best to erase a two-goal deficit, but the Peoria Mustangs would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 5-4.
Peoria made the score 5-3 on a goal by Sam Turner at 10:07 in the third period, and St. Louis got as close as 5-4 when Tommy Heinzman scored 10:59 into the third period.
After the loss made the series score 1-0 in the best of three series, the Jr. Blues face elimination next time out.
Marshall Gevers had a great game for the Mustangs, netting two goals. Gevers scored on the power play at 9:07 into the first period to make the score 1-1 and again while 16:31 into the first to make the score 2-1 Peoria.
Peoria forced St. Louis goalie Billy Hindle to work between the pipes, taking 36 shots. The Mustangs took advantage of the Jr. Blues\’ penalties, tallying two goals off of three power play opportunities.
Peoria also got points from Turner, who also registered one goal and one assist. Peoria also had goals scored by Levi Armstrong and Andrew Scofield, who each put in one. In addition, Peoria received assists from Austin Ziakas, Nathan Chasteen, Chance Homerin, and Brendan Murphy, who each chipped in one and Brennan Anderson and Austin Wisely, who contributed two each.
St. Louis\’ offense rang up 42 shots on Peoria\’s net.
The Jr. Blues were helped by Alex Klaesner, who grabbed one goal and one assist. Klaesner scored on the power play 19:21 into the first period to make the score 2-2. St. Louis had gotten the advantage when the Mustangs\’ Anderson was sent off for tripping. Mike Lozano assisted on the tally. St. Louis additionally got points from Heinzman, who also tallied one goal and one assist and Lozano, who also finished with one goal and one assist. St. Louis also got a goal from Adam Roeder as well. Other players who recorded assists for St. Louis were Andrew Kovacich, who had two and Alexander Carlsson, Tyler Opilka, and Simon Koscielski, who each chipped in one.
Marc Hayton made 38 saves for Peoria on 42 shots. The Mustangs incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors. Hindle recorded 31 saves for the Jr. Blues. St. Louis incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors.
