Peoria, IL — After an 8-2 blowout the night before, the rematch between the Evansville Thunderbolts and Peoria Rivermen needed overtime and more before it was settled on Saturday night. The teams fought to a 1-1 tie in regulation before treating the 6,981 fans to a thrilling overtime that went to a dramatic shootout. 
It would take seven rounds before Evansville would prevail with a final score of 2-1.
It started off scoreless but definitely not boring with two fights and both goalies making excellent saves, in the first period.
Tanner Milliron emerged victorious, stopping 33 of 34 shots and 6 of seven shooters in the shootout. Tyler Parks acquitted himself nicely throughout the game but took the SOL having officially stopped 28 of 30 shots and blocking five of the seven shooters.
Cody Dion lost control of the puck as he crossed the goal mouth and slapped at it, one-handed, with an outstretched stick. He got just enough of it to push it around Milliron to stake the Rivermen to a 1-0 lead at 1:26 of the second period. Justin Hoomian and Dan Bremner credited with assists on the play.
A pass by Phil Bronner from behind the net set up Ryan Patsch in the slot at 13:19 of the second period. Patsch one-timed the pass behind Tyler Parks to tie the game at one-all.
Neither team scored on the power play. Evansville had four chances with the man advantage and Peoria two.
Game Notes: World Series MVP Ben Zorist cancelled a scheduled appearance due to illness. Zobrist of the Chicago Cubs is a local product, hailing from nearby Eureka, IL.
Contact the author at Shaun.Bill@ProHockeyNews.com or follow him on Twitter @SLBatPHN.
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