The word that may have been floating around the FireAntz locker room this weekend would be redemption. Peoria had beaten the FireAntz in last year's playoffs to deny them an opportunity to play in the final against Pensacola. This weekend marked the first time the two teams had met since last year and the series did not disappoint the fans.

A crowd of nearly 2,300 filed into the Crown on Saturday night and the game proved to be close right from the opening faceoff, taking on the identity of a playoff game once again. With goaltenders Tyler Parks and Sean Bonar playing well, the scoring didn't start until the second period, with Dakota Kletcha scoring just under four minutes in and Bobby Chaumont tying the game back up for Fayetteville. 

Eventually the game went through overtime and then a shootout. Tayler Thompson proved to be the lone scorer with a somewhat unconventional slapshot above the blocker to get two points for the FireAntz to start the weekend.

On Sunday, the game took on a much more aggressive attitude and featured much more scoring than the previous day. Jake Hauswirth got the scoring started just three minutes into the game and Evan Dixon made it 2-0 off of a brilliant back door feed from Max Cook. Storm Phaneuf was chased from the net and Tyler Parks took over to start the second. Despite a variety of penalties, Peoria couldn't convert with their special teams. The same could not be said for the FireAntz as Nick Rivait got his first multi goal game of the season, with both tallies coming on the power play. 

Adam Stuart ended Sean Bonar's shutout bid in the third, but it wasn't enough as the FireAntz came away with a 4-1 win. The end of the game took somewhat longer than expected as Brad Drobot, Cody Dion and Alec Hagan all received roughing minors in the final minute. Drobot made sure to give good acknowledgement to the fans before heading off.

The FireAntz will get a solid week of practice to work with before having another weekend series at home against Knoxville.