The Peoria Rivermen tried their best to erase a two-goal deficit, but the Fayetteville FireAntz would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 5-4.

A goal by John Clewlow put Fayetteville up 5-3 in the third period, but Peoria pulled to within one on Nick Wheeler's tally 19:12 into the third period.

Bobby Reed was all over the ice for the FireAntz, as he had two goals in the win. Reed scored on the power play at 8:37 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Peoria and again while on the power play 7:56 into the third to make the score 4-3 Fayetteville.

Fayetteville stifled the Rivermen's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. The FireAntz bested their season scoring average. This season, Fayetteville averages 2.3 goals per contest.

Fayetteville additionally got points from Chris Greene, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Brett Liscomb also scored for Fayetteville. In addition, Fayetteville received assists from Brandon Greenside, who had two, Zach Carriveau, who had four, and Brandon Richardson and Jeff Martens, who contributed one a piece.

Peoria also got points from Tyler Fernandez, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Peoria also got a goal from Dustin Parks as well. More assists for Peoria came via Nick Prockow, who had two and Joe Schiller, Garrett Vermeersch, Parker Stanfield, and Steve Morra, who each chipped in one.

Kyle Rank rejected 23 shots on goal for the FireAntz. Fayetteville totaled 13 minutes in penalty time with four minors and one major and went 2-for-4 on the power play. Eric Levine recorded 21 saves for Peoria. The Rivermen totaled 15 minutes in penalty time with five minors and one major and went 0-for-3 on the power play.