PEORIA, Ill – The Peoria Rivermen were able to pull some early magic to give them the lead most of the game, but Mark Petaccio’s third period heroics won the Evansville Thunderbolts their 20th game on Friday. 3,107 hearts dropped when Petaccio scored with just 1:19 left in regulation. The final score was 2-1 Evansville.
The Rivermen were able to light the lamp ahead of Evansville at just 6:40 into the first period.
Brandon Rumble sent a laser of a shot at the pads of Evansville goaltender Ryan de Melo. The puck rebounded right to Michael Economos, who had set up shop in front of their net. The puck was past de Melo before he knew what hit him.
Other than a couple missed breakaway opportunities, the only action in the second period was the call and response of several plastic vuvuzelas played by Rivermen fans spread across the stands.
The third period started with a bang and ended with a bang coming from Evansville, specifically from Petaccio and Dylan Clarke.
Pettaccio scored both of Evansville’s two goals at 1:02 and 18:41 into the period and Clarke rung up both assists as well.
The Rivermen will continue their three game stint at Carver Arena on Saturday and Sunday.
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