PEORIA, IL – One stupid mistake can cost you a game. Mississippi’s Sam Higgins learned a hard lesson Saturday night as his Riverkings lost 2-0 to the Peoria Rivermen in front of 3824 Easter Eve fans.Â
With the hockey equivilent of a baseball bat-flip, Higgins was sent to the penatly box for throwing equipment. Higgins had tossed the butt-end of his broken stick high – really high – Â into the air. The Peoria RIvermen took advantage when Cody Dion scored giving Peoria an early 1-0 lead at 14:41 of the first period. Steve Morra and Dave Pszenyczny pocketed assists. This was, otherwise, a very evenly matched game.
The Peoria Rivermen – beneficiaries of six power plays – was only able to score on the one; not much aof a surprise against the leagues top penalty kill unit. The Riverkings had four powerplays, including over the final 47 second when, with goaltender Peter Di Salvo pulled, they were able to skate six-on-four. The Riverkinds were also granted a penalty shot in the waining minutes, but could not solve Rivermen netminder David Jacobsen.
The goalies were awarded the first two “Stars of the Game.” Jacobsen earned his twevleth win on the season with his second shout-out, stopping all 34 shots he faced. Di Salvo stopped 32 of 33 shots. Both ‘tenders came up big for their teams time and time again.
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