LAFAYETTE, La. – The Peoria Rivermen dropped the opener of their best-of-three first round President’s Cup Playoff series in a marathon, falling 3-2 to the Louisiana IceGators with the game-winning goal coming with just over a minute left in the second overtime on Wednesday night at the Cajundome.
After a scoreless opening period, Ben Oskroba put the Rivermen on the board first with a goal on a second rebound from the slot assisted by Alec Hagaman four minutes into the second frame. The IceGators answered only 42 seconds later as Jordan Ciccarello converted a backdoor feed. Jake Hauswirth gave the Gators a 2-1 lead going into the second intermission with a tap near the right post that caromed off a Rivermen leg and into the net with 5:15 left. 
The Rivermen knotted the score at 2-2 with 3:40 elapsed in the third period when Garrett Vermeersch stepped to the slot and scored a wrist shot for the only remaining scoring in regulation and the first overtime.
The teams combined for only eight shots in the first overtime, but Louisiana finally broke through with 1:03 remaining in the second extra session when Stephen Buco ended a furious flurry with a chip just under the crossbar.
Scott Diebold stopped 36 shots for the win while Kyle Rank suffered the loss with 28 saves. No power play goals were scored with three chances given to the Rivermen and five awarded to the IceGators.
Game 2 of the best-of-three series shifts to Carver Arena at 7:05 p.m. Friday with Game 3 on Saturday at 7:05 also in Peoria. The games can be heard on 93.7 FM inside Carver Arena and online at www.rivermen.net as well as viewed via subscription at SPHLLive.com.
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