The Knoxville Ice Bears completed the weekend series sweep of the Peoria Rivermen as they were shutout, 2-0. Cody Porter stood on his head throughout the game, making 38 saves and winning his team the game.
I’m sure the Rivermen had wished the great Bobby Hull, who was in attendance because of the celebration of Blackhawks Night at Carver Arena, had laced up in their favor just as the Golden Jet did nearly 40 years ago. A crowd of 4,485 Blackhawks and Rivermen fans showed up to meet him and maybe even be lucky enough to get the legends signature.
The Ice Bears took the lead just 2:57 into the first period. A giveaway in the neutral zone by a Rivermen defender gave the Ice Bears a 3-on-1 opportunity.
Scott Cuthrell would send a pass over to Lucas Binbardier. Bombardier would wind up and take a shot that provided a huge rebound for Stefan Brucato to swoop in and knock the puck in for a 1-0 Ice Bear lead.
The Ice Bears would double this lead 5:31 in to the second period. The Ice Bears were able to pick up a two on one opportunity heading across the Rivermen blue paint.
Cuthrell would come flying into the zone, with Roberts Locans coming in with him. The two would slow down, and take their time once in the zone. When Cuthrell saw an opportunity, he whipped a pass over to Locans who cranked a snap shot from the hash marks that would beat Rivermen goaltender Stephen Klein for a 2-0 Ice Bear lead.
No goals would be scored in the third as the Rivermen attempted to crawl back into the game, posting up 13 more shots, and ending the game with a massive 38 shots without a single goal.
Cody Porter, who was cut by the Rivermen early in the season to meet the 19 man roster, put on a show making all 38 of the saves and completing the series for his team.
This game also came as the Rivermen’s first regulation loss at home during the season, as well as the second game in a row that the Rivermen would out shoot the Ice Bears but not come away with the win.
The Rivermen will finish a grueling three game weekend at home against their newest rival, the Quad City Storm, or as its been called “The Cold War on 74.”
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