Saturday Scores: Peoria Sweeps Series

Brendan Miller scores two goals in Saturday's matchup against the Cyclones

Wausau 3 @ Peoria 4 (OT) - The Peoria Mustangs protected home ice in overtime action against the Wausau Cyclones in a Saturday night contest. After a penalty-filled first period, neither team could capitalize on the power play in the first 20 minutes. Peoria controlled the shot count early, outshooting Wausau 15-7 in the opening period. The Cyclones took control quickly in the second frame, scoring three unanswered goals within the first 12 minutes. Jackson Maddock kicked things off with a power-play goal less than a minute into the period. Jacob Maxon grabbed the next power-play goal, with Nate Spencer extending their lead to 3-0 with the team's first even-strength goal. The Mustangs answered before the period was over, with Brendan Miller scoring two consecutive goals on the power play, bringing Peoria within one. Going into the third frame, the Cyclones did their best on defense to limit the Mustangs’ opportunities to tie the game. Peoria wouldn’t back down, with Braden Hillebrand evening the score midway through the period. Both teams were unable to produce anything for the remainder of the frame, forcing overtime. Peoria completed their comeback when Landen Smith buried a rebound between the posts. The Mustangs outshot the Cyclones 46-32 in the contest, including a 4-0 advantage in overtime. Peoria finished opening weekend 2-0 against Wausau.

Drillers 3 @ Ice Bats 1- The Louisiana Drillers took to Austin, Texas in a physical 3-1 win over the Austin Ice Bats. Despite being on the road, the Drillers were in no way homesick as they started off the first period with complete offensive pressure. The Ice Bats found themselves in the defensive zone for a majority of the opening period, allowing 18 shots from the Drillers while being held to only two shots themselves. The Driller’s prime offense did not go unrewarded, with a goal from Joey Moore III less than five minutes into the contest. The Drillers’ offensive pressure on the Ice Bats continued, earning them two more goals late in the period. Julian Saldi doubled the lead with a strong individual effort through the Austin defense. Two minutes later Dayton Ruppel secured the Driller’s third goal of the game in the final minute of the period, along with a minor penalty from himself and Daniel Vihavainen that would give the Ice Bats a five-on-three power play heading into the second. The Ice Bats would capitalize on the man advantage a minute into the second period, with a power-play goal from Gunhar Hillman that would prove the Ice Bats were not ready to give up just yet. Offensive possession between the two teams would even out in the second period, the Ice Bats would rally for 13 shots and the Drillers would continue to capitalize on all opportunities, racking up another 17 shots on goal. Not only did the offense pick up in the second, but so did the intensity and physicality from both squads, with a total of eight penalties in the second period, five of which were handed out with 42 seconds remaining in the period. The physicality between the two southeastern rivals would not let up in the final frame of the contest, with eight more penalties assessed. Five went against Austin, limiting the Ice Bats’ opportunities to build sustained offensive pressure. In spite of Austin spending significant time short handed in the third, goaltender Gavin Morris did all that he could to keep his team in the game, making 47 saves on 50 shots from the Drillers. Despite his strong presence between the pipes, the Drillers managed to defend their lead and secure the victory. Both the Ice Bats and the Drillers will return to The Crossover tomorrow for one more game to close out the NA3HL opening weekend.