The Peoria Mustangs relied on the scoring touch of Cory Kettler, who netted two goals, to beat the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks, 5-2.
Kettler scored at 8:03 into the second period to make the score 2-0 Peoria and again while 8:52 into the second to make the score 3-1 Peoria.
The win gave Peoria a 1-0 lead in the best of one series.
Peoria also got a goal from Chance Homerin as well. In addition, Peoria received assists from Michael Parda and Alexander Turin, who each chipped in one.
Cleveland’s penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on five Peoria power plays. The Jr. Lumberjacks’ offense rang up 33 shots on the Mustangs’ net.
Cleveland was helped by Nick Balavich, who had one goal. Balavich scored 8:13 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Peoria. Scott Cuthrell picked up the assist. Mike Palasics also scored for Cleveland.
Parda rejected 31 shots on goal for Peoria. The Mustangs incurred four minutes in penalty time with two minors. The Jr. Lumberjacks’ Joseph Moza stopped 17 shots out of the 21 that he faced. Cleveland incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors.
