For Immediate Release:
December 23, 2017
ROANOKE FALLS IN PEORIA, 6-1
Steve Mele notches lone Rail Yard Dawgs goal
PEORIA, IL – The Peoria Rivermen scored three times in the first period and led wire-to-wire as they defeated the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs, 6-1, Saturday night at Carver Arena.
Perioa struck early and often in the first, beginning with a Cody Dion rebound goal in the fourth minute of the game. The Rivermen extended their advantage just past the ten minute mark after Will Smith deflected a Ryan Siiro shot from the right wing to push it to 2-0. A minute later, Mike Gurtler finished a breakaway with a top-shelf wrister to make it 3-0.
The Rail Yard Dawgs got their lone goal late in the opening frame. David Gandara fed Steve Mele who hammered a slap shot past Eric Levine to put Roanoke on the board.
Peoria tacked on two more in the second. While working on a power play, Jacob Barber hit Connor Gorman with a one-timer that he blasted past a lunging Brad Barone. Alec Hagaman later sent a wrist shot low on the blocker side that found the net for a 5-1 Rivermen lead.
Dave Pszenyczny added one more for Peoria in the third with a power play goal to bring the score to its 6-1 final.
Matt Zenzola started the game in net and exited following the second Rivermen goal. He made 11 saves on 13 shots faced. Barone stopped 32 of 36 shots in relief.
The Rail Yard Dawgs fell to 5-12-3 with the loss while Peoria improved to 13-6-1. Roanoke returns to action on Friday night on the road in against the Fayetteville Marksmen. Puck drop at the Crown Coliseum is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
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