Charlotte blasts Peoria

PEORIA, ILL – In a “must win” game for both teams, the Charlotte Checkers and

Peoria Rivermen looked about even on paper. It was anything but even on the ice.
 
Bobby Sanguinetti had a goal and three assists to lead the Charlotte Checkers to a 6-1 blowout victory over the Peoria Rivermen in front of 6679 fans at the Peoria Civic Center.
 
The Rivermen got caught in a line change at the end of the first period, which lead to Chris Terry and Sanguinetti skating in two-on-one. Terry passed across the ice and Sanguinetti fired it past Peoria goaltender Jake Allen with just 17 seconds remaining in the period for the 1-0 lead.
 
Sanguinetti assisted on Drayson Bowman’s goal at 6:25 of the second period before the lone bright spot for the Rivermen came at 7:44 of the second period on the power play. Patrick O’Sullivan zipped a backhanded shot from the top of the slot that was tipped in by Adam Cracknell to draw the Rivermen within a goal, 2-1. That goal would be the only blemish on the night for Justin Peters, the Checkers netminder.
 
Justin Krueger and Matthew Pistilli tallied second period goals and Terry and Brett Sutter tallied third period goals for Charlotte.
 
Peoria scored once in three power play chances. Charlotte did not have a power play opportunity. Allen made 27 saves on 33 shots. Peters saved 31 of 32.
 
Contact the author: Shaun.Bill@ProHockeyNews.com