Rail Yard Dawgs fail to clinch as Peoria forces decisive Game 3 in SPHL semifinals

PEORIA, Ill. (WFXR) — Peoria scored two goals in the span of a minute in the first period and never looked back as the Rivermen defeated Roanoke, 5-3, to force a decisive game three in the SPHL semifinals.

Mitchell McPherson and Mike Gelatt scored within 31 seconds of each other in the opening period to get Peoria out to a 2-0 lead. Nick DeVito answered back quickly at the 8:43 mark of the first period but Marcel Godbout’s goal gave the Rivermen a 3-1 lead heading into the first intermission.

Alec Baer and Jordan Ernst scored in the second to secure the win. DeVito ended up with a hat trick in the losing effort as Roanoke dropped a game for the first time in the postseason. Goalie Austyn Roudebush made 28 saves for the Dawgs.

The two teams will square off on Sunday for a spot in the President’s Cup final with puck drop set for 5:15 p.m. EDT.