The Peoria Rivermen had a two-goal lead after two periods and cruised the rest of the way en route to a 6-2 win over the Bloomington Thunder.

Peoria's penalty kill excelled, as the Rivermen gave up one goal despite allowing six power plays.

Peoria's goal total was higher than its season average. This season, the Rivermen average 3.3 goals per contest. The 39 shots that Peoria put on net surpassed the Rivermen's average of 27.0 shots per game this season.

Peoria was led by Garrett Vermeersch, who registered two goals and one assist. Vermeersch scored the first of his two goals at 13:26 into the second period to make the score 3-1 Peoria. Parker Stanfield provided the assist. Vermeersch's next tally made the score 6-2 Peoria with 6:05 left in the third period. The Rivermen had gained a power play chance when Tyler Noseworthy was whistled for slashing. Jarrett Rush assisted on the tally. Peoria also had goals scored by Nick Prockow, who had two and Corey Tamblyn and Nick Wheeler, who each put in one. Other players who recorded assists for Peoria were Cole Ruwe, who had two and Taylor Larsen, Paul Chiasson, and Charlie Carkin, who each chipped in one.

Bloomington relied on a core group of players for most of its offense, as Kyle Watson, Burke Gallimore and Kevin Walrod took 13 of the team's 24 shots.

More assists for Bloomington came via Travis Granbois and Sy Nutkevitch, who contributed one a piece.

Eric Levine made 22 saves for Peoria on 24 shots. The Rivermen incurred 12 minutes in penalty time with six minors. The Thunder's BJ OBrien stopped 33 shots out of the 39 that he faced. Bloomington ended with 35 minutes in penalty time with five minors and one major. For the Thunder, Ron Cramer was ejected from the game.