PEORIA, Ill. – The Huntsville Havoc battled with the Peoria Rivermen in a chaotic back-and-forth, but could not maintain the momentum from the first period, falling 6-3 in a tough road loss.
The first period was eventful, seeing six goals. The Rivermen opened scoring at 2:27. Tensions skyrocketed after Peoria capitalized on a power play at 4:25, extending their lead to 2-0. Driven by the heightened pressure, the Havoc made three unanswered goals in two minutes. Josh Kestner, assisted by Dawson Sciarrino and Jack Jaunich, put a puck in the net to cut Peoria’s lead in half. Tying up the score, Jack Jaunich, backed by Josh Kestner and Dom Procopio, followed with another goal. At 8:23, Phil Elgstam netted a one-timer off a cross-ice feed from Dom Procopio and Craig McCabe, giving Huntsville the lead. The Rivermen pulled even at 18:08, knotting the score just before the first break.
The Havoc dialed up the offensive pressure in the second period, outshooting the Rivermen 9-5. Yet, Peoria found a gap and scored their game-winning goal at 5:18. Dom Procopio dropped the gloves with a Peoria defenseman right after, resulting in fighting majors for both teams, including two for the Havoc.
Peoria went on to extend their lead at 7:44 of the third period. Despite a power play opportunity, Huntsville could not find enough traction to make a late comeback. The Rivermen added another goal at 16:01, doubling their lead to 6-3 and sealing their victory.
Brian Wilson stopped 19-of-25 shots. Huntsville went 0-for-3 on the power play.
The Havoc will remain on the road for their next game on Saturday, February 28 against the Peoria Rivermen at the Peoria Civic Center.
