EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Ryan Marcuz had two goals and an assist to extend his pointstreak to five games as the Mississippi RiverKings (22-14-2) knocked off the Evansville Thunderbolts (10-23-4) with a 5-3 victory on Friday night.
The RiverKings took a two goal lead before the midway point of the first. Devin Mantha lifted a shot over Thunderbolt netminder Michael Doan under five minutes into the 
opening frame to put the RiverKings on top 1-0. Four minutes later, Dillon Fox ripped a wrist shot that beat Doan, giving the visitors a two-goal advantage.
But Evansville battled back. Newcomer Tyler Gjurich’s backhand shot found the back of the net over Brad Barone 10:49 into the first. Just under four minutes later, Corey Melkert picked up a rebound and slid it to the back of the net, tying the game at two going into the second.
In the second, Evansville took their first lead of the game. Corey Melkert helped push a rebound over and past Barone to put the Thunderbolts ahead 3-2.
The RiverKings responded at the 14:22 mark. Mike Moran deflected a Sam Higgins shot past Doan to tie the game at three going into the third.
The RiverKings notched a pair of goals early in the third. Ryan Marcuz gave the RiverKings their second lead of the night just 43 seconds into the frame, pushing the RiverKings ahead 4-3. Marcuz struck for his second of the game two minutes later on a centering pass from Brant Sherwood as the RiverKings held on to win their first game of a two-game road trip 5-3 in Evansville.
Brad Barone (13-9-2) picked up the win after stopping 21 of 24 shots against. Michael Doan (5-9-2) turned aside 37 of 42 shots against in the loss.
The RiverKings were held scoreless on their lone power play opportunity, while holding Evansville without a goal on three chances with the man advantage.
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