Peoria, IL – Game One of the SPHL President’s Cup Final looked to be in the bag for Peoria on Friday night after a dominating first period, but the Macon Mayhem had other ideas.
Falling behind 1-0 and thoroughly outmatched, Macon fought Peoria to a draw in the second period before scoring twice in the final frame and sending the Rivermen and their 3,491 fans home disappointed with a 2-1 loss.
Peoria’s only score came a little over a minute into the game, Connor Gorman won a battle along the boards and broke into the zone one-on-one. He kept the puck and laid a heavy shot on Macon goaltender Jordan Ruby. Ruby made the save but the rebound came right to a trailing Michael Colanton, who buried it for the early 1-0 lead just 1:35 into the game.
More than the 1-0 score, Peoria dominated, outshooting Macon 12-5. It seemed like Peoria might cruise to a victory. A penalty-filled second period was scoreless, and so the third period started, similarly.
Macon started generating opportunities, though and at 6:27 of the third period John Seimer sent a shot along the goal line that suck between the pipe and Rivermen netminder Storm Phaneuf’s pads to tie the game at one-all.
Macon gained an advantage on the power play midway through the period, and Daniel Gentzler through a heavy shot flew past a screened Phaneuf, top shelf.
Phaneuf stopped 21 of 23 shots in the loss. Ruby saved 24 of 25 shots in the win.
Both teams had four opportunities on the power play, with Macon’s game winner the only tally.
The series now moves to Macon on Sunday and Monday, if necessary, where the Rivermen will try to do the impossible and win two on the road.
Contact the author at Shaun.Bill@ProHockeyNews.com or follow him on Twitter @SLBatPHN
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