The Peoria Mustangs had a four-goal lead after two periods and cruised the rest of the way en route to a 5-1 win over the Chicago Hitmen.

After the loss made the series score 1-0 in the best of three series, Chicago faces elimination next time out.

Peoria's Michael Parda was a brick wall in net, as he came up with 31 saves and let only one puck past him. Parda managed to improve on his goals against average, which stood at 2.5 prior to the game.

The Hitmen fell victim to a deadly the Mustangs power play, which ripped Chicago for four goals.

Peoria forced Hitmen's goalies to work all game long, ripping 35 shots and forcing 30 saves. Joe Olen made eight stops and Brandon Perillo made 22. The Mustangs put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the Hitmen to score on any of their five power plays.

Peoria was helped by Dillon Philipps, who finished with one goal. Philipps scored on the power play 6:39 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Peoria. The Mustangs had gotten the advantage when Chicago's Kyle Gonzalez was sent off for high sticking. Cory Welnicke provided the assist. Peoria also got points from Alexander Turin, who also had one goal and one assist, Nathan Chasteen, who also racked up one goal and two assists, and Michael Mikulan, who also registered two goals and one assist. In addition, Peoria received assists from Byron Lomow, Josh Wentz, and Darren Schlueter, who each chipped in one.

The Hitmen's offense rang up 32 shots on Peoria's net.

The Mustangs incurred 38 minutes in penalty time with nine minors. Chicago incurred 38 minutes in penalty time with nine minors.