For Immediate Release:
March 18, 2017
BREWER’S HAT TRICK PACES DAWGS IN 6-4 VICTORY OVER RIVERMEN
Jackson Brewer sets a franchise record with five points
ROANOKE, VA – Jackson Brewer tallied five points and a hat trick, Joey Ballmer made 36 saves for his first professional win and the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs defeated the Peoria Rivermen, 6-4, Saturday night at the Berglund Center. Roanoke finished the weekend set against the Rivermen with three out of a possible four points.
With the game tied at two in the third period, Peoria took a trio of penalties and sent the Dawgs on an extended 5-on-3 power play. Brewer fired a pass across the ice to Zach Tatrn who blasted a one-timer past Tyler Parks to put the Dawgs on top, 3-2.
Still working on a 5-on-3 man advantage, Roanoke cashed in again just over a minute later. Brewer darted a pass through traffic to Phil Bronner who guided it into the net, extending the lead to 4-2.
Peoria got one back on a power play of its own when Adam Stuart snapped a shot past Ballmer, bringing the Rivermen within one.
The Dawgs still led by one with just 90 seconds on the clock as Peoria pulled Parks for the extra attacker. Brewer wasted no time in firing a shot from behind the red line and into the net for his second goal. The Rivermen opted to keep the net empty and moments later, Steve Mele found Brewer streaking up the ice. He slid the puck into the empty net to complete his hat trick and give the Rail Yard Dawgs a 6-3 lead.
Brewer’s hat trick was the second in Rail Yard Dawgs history and his first as a professional. He finished with three goals and two assists, setting a Roanoke franchise record for points in a game with five.
Peoria got on the board first in the game when Ryan Keller beat Ballmer on a rebound just 86 seconds into the opening period. Roanoke tied the game later in the first on a Mele goal on the doorstep.
Brewer netted his first goal of the game with a wrister from the left circle in the second period, putting the Dawgs ahead, 2-1. Cody Dion scored on a 2-on-1 break with less than 30 seconds remaining in the second to tie it up. Justin Hoomaian recorded the final Rivermen goal in the waning moments of the third.
Roanoke’s win was its first ever against Peoria and the Dawgs have now defeated each team in the SPHL. They improved to 16-26-7 with the victory while the Rivermen fell to 27-12-10.
The Rail Yard Dawgs remain in a tie with the Columbus Cottonmouths for the eighth and final playoff spot in the SPHL. Roanoke will return to the ice on Friday at home against the Cottonmouths. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 PM at the Berglund Center.
2017-18 Rail Yard Dawgs season tickets are on sale now! Seats can be reserved by visiting the Rail Yard Dawgs office inside of the Berglund Center or over the phone at 540-344-3294.
###