Rivermen fall flat to Ice Flyers 2-1

PEORIA, IL – Despite a magnificent delivery of the National Anthem by Jim Corneilison, the Rivermen could not use it’s enthusiasm to translate into a win. Kyle Rank played an astounding game allowing a mere 2 goals, but Rank’s effort was not enough. 

The Rivermen’s lack of energy in the second and inability to score a goal in the third made for a disappointing effort with 6,022 Rivermen and Blackhawk fans on hand for Blackhawk’s night at Carver Arena. 

The first period was relatively quiet with only one goal by the Rivermen. Adam Stuart escaped the corner and passed the puck to Dave Pszenyczny, who was wide open in the slot and buried it behind Ice Flyers goalie John McLean. The rest of the period held many penalties and power plays for both sides.

 Pensacola dominated in the second, pinpointing Rivermen goalie Kyle Rank’s weakness and utilizing it to their advantage. Both goals of the period were a result of the Ice Flyers taking the puck from the side of the net and passing it to an open man camped out in front of the net waiting to redirect it in. The first goal was from Jeremy Gates in the corner to Stephen Buco in front of the net to tie it. The second was from Corey Banfield  beside the net to Joe Caveney, who roofed it in on the power play for what wound up being the game winning goal.

 The third period was silent; the only action being a lot of “oohs” and “ahhs” from the crowd as the Rivermen had an astonishing amount of near misses and close scoring chances, and more penalties and scrums as the Rivermen tried to fight their way back. The Ice Flyers held on for the win 2-1.

 Text provided by Jacob Brewer

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