FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The RiverKings recovered from an early deficit but fall to the Marksmen 5-4 in the shootout.
The RiverKings found themselves in an early hole when the Marksmen took a 2-0 lead only 6:05 into the game but came roaring back. Bryan Arneson cut the lead in half with a redirected shot from the point. Devin Mantha evened the score at 2-2 with only 18 
seconds left to go in the first sending the two teams to the lockerrooms at a deadlock.
Coming out strong in the second period, Fayetteville goaltender Patrick Spano mishandled a puck when attempting to clear the zone. RiverKings forward Taylor Pryce jumped on the loose puck and fired into an empty net, giving the black and gold their first lead of the night. Most of the second period ticked by before the Marksmen were able to retaliate, Tommy Fiorentino netted his second goal of the night, this time on the power play to even things at three apiece. Ryan Marcuz, who already had an assist on two of the RiverKings first three goals, continued his hot weekend with a response. Only 39 seconds after the Marksmen tied things at three, Marcuz picked up a loose puck and beat Spano to regain the lead for the visitors. Marcuz’s goal would be his fourth goal in four games, and his sixth point on the weekend.
With the lead 4-3 in favor of the RiverKings, former RiverKings Jesse Facchini buried his chance on a 2-on-1 in the third, leveling the score at 4-4. The teams wouldn’t be able to solve the tie in the overtime period and were forced to decide things in a shootout. Devin Mantha and Ryan Marcuz would net goals in the shootout, but they couldn’t overcome the two goals by Jake Hauswirth and Jamie Hill. Fayetteville won 3-2 in the deciding round and took home the 5-4 victory.
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