The Peoria Rivermen beat the Columbus Cottonmouths, 2-0, in a contest where the winning goal was scored in the first period but the game remained close throughout.

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

Vermeersch was all over the ice for Peoria, as he racked up two goals in the win.

The Rivermen were boosted by Kyle Rank, who turned in a shutout with 35 saves.

Peoria put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the Cottonmouths to score on any of their four power plays. The Rivermen relied on a core group of players for most of their offense, as Vermeersch, Taylor Larsen and Ben Oskroba took 15 of the team's 26 shots.

In addition, Peoria received assists from Nick Prockow and Joe Schiller, who each chipped in one.

Columbus' offense rang up 35 shots on Peoria's net.

The Cottonmouths were led by Jordan Draper, who took six shots.

The Rivermen incurred 12 minutes in penalty time with six minors. Columbus' Andrew Loewen stopped 24 shots out of the 26 that he faced. The Cottonmouths incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors.