GAME PREVIEW: PEORIA MUSTANGS VS. ROCHESTER GRIZZLIES
The Peoria Mustangs (1-1-1-1) return home to the Owens Center from their first road trip of the season this weekend to face the reigning NA3HL Central Division champion, the Rochester Grizzlies (4-0-0-0). The Mustangs and Grizzlies were slated to see each other last season at the start of the playoffs in Rochester, but the COVID-19 pandemic had something to say about that in the eventual cancellation of the playoffs.
MUSTANGS DROP PAIR AGAINST OREGON:
The Peoria Mustangs embarked on their first road trip this week as they battled the newest face in the NA3HL, the Oregon Tradesmen in a pair of weekend games in Janesville, WI. On October 16th, the Mustangs dropped the first game in a 6-2 decision against the Tradesmen. The Mustangs were led by Reid Lune who tallied both goals in the first game.
On October 17th, the Mustangs came out of the corral firing on all cylinders by scoring three unanswered goals in the first period from Luca Goulding, Connor Bennett and Ethan Chesney. The Tradesmen would respond quickly with three unanswered goals of their own at the end of the first and through the second period. Both teams flexed their defensive muscles in the third period with a scoreless frame. For the second straight game, the Mustangs headed to overtime where the game was decided quickly by Jacob Best for the Tradesmen scoring to give Oregon the win.
A LOOK AT ROCHESTER:
The Rochester Grizzlies (4-0-0-0) come to the Owens Center after a hot start to the season racking up four straight wins against the St. Louis Jr. Blues to start the 2020-21 season. The Grizzlies are led by F Dylan Schneider who has tallied 3 goals in the young season. Additionally, D Tyler Huffer has 2 goals and 3 assists to compliment Schneider’s performance. Look for them to provide the firepower on Rochester’s squad this weekend.
PERFECTLY BALANCED, AS ALL THINGS SHOULD BE:
The Mustangs are seeing contributors all throughout the team, striking a nice balance between the newcomers and veterans. Veteran defenseman Jared Wisely has 5 points to his name already through his 5 assists in the past 4 games. Newcomers and forwards Ethan Chesney (3 G, 1 A) and Reid Lune (2 G, 2 A) each have 4 points through their performances in the 2020-21 campaign. Another veteran making his name known on the stat sheet is forward George Giese as he has 4 points to his name through his 1 goal and 3 assists in 4 games. Perfectly balanced, as all things should be.
Full skater stats: https://bit.ly/3jhVvgK
GAME INFORMATION:
Peoria Mustangs (1-1-1-1) vs. Rochester Grizzlies (4-0-0-0)
DATE: October 23, 2020 & October 24, 2020
TIME: 7:15 PM (Central) & 6:45 PM (Central)
LOCATION: Owens Center, Peoria, IL, USA
HOW TO WATCH: www.hockeytv.com
Story by Connor Kelly
