Mustangs Face Wausau in Peoria After Sweeping St. Louis
Story by Connor Kelly
Written 1/7/21
GAME RECAP: PEORIA MUSTANGS VS. ST. LOUIS JR. BLUES
PEORIA, IL – The St. Louis Jr. Blues returned to Peoria for the second time this season for their first match-up with the Mustangs for the 2020-21 season. Confusing enough? It’s been a weird season so far.
The Jr. Blues faced off against the Oregon Tradesmen at the Owens Center in Peoria in late 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions in St. Louis forcing the Jr. Blues to find an alternate home for their series against the Tradesmen. The Owens Center was available since the Mustangs were on the road at the time. But this past weekend, the Jr. Blues made their return trip to Peoria to finally face-off against the Mustangs in a two game set to ring in 2021.
In the 1st game of the battle of the heated rivals in the Central Division, the Jr. Blues got off to hot 1st period start, finding their rhythm late in the period with two goals from Riley Howse (14:01) and Jared Bratton (19:44). Going into the second period, newest Mustang Thomas Kayner (acquired from Rochester) grabbed his first and second goals as a Peoria Mustang at the 2:42 and 7:15 mark, respectively. Jaycob Bland would also have a say by adding his fourth goal of the season at the 12:16 mark. It would not be a typical Rivalry Night game if St. Louis did not have a say as Chase Morgan for the Jr. Blues added his first goal of the season to tie the game at 3 to end the 2nd period. Both defenses shined in the final frame going back and forth to secure the puck but ultimately it was the Mustangs’ Reid Lune who found the back of the net at the 13:55 mark to secure the 4-3 win for the Mustangs.
In game 2, the Mustangs got down to old business from earlier this season with goalie Cole Walter having another lockdown game in net. All the Mustangs’ scoring came in the 2nd period with goals from Tony Campise, Jared Wisely, George Giese and Connor Bennett. Cole Walter finished with a perfect 15 SVS out of 15 SA to secure a 4-0 shut-out win for the Mustangs giving them the series sweep against the Jr. Blues.
NEXT UP: WAUSAU RIVERWOLVES
The Mustangs will continue their home stand as the Wausau RiverWolves come to town for a two game set this weekend (January 8 & 9) at the Owens Center in Peoria.
Going into this weekend, the Mustangs’ overall points leaders at 16 are Connor Bennett, Ethan Chesney and Reid Lune. Expect all three players to contribute to this weekend’s contests along with goalie Cole Walter. Another player to keep an eye on for the Mustangs is newcomer Thomas Kayner as he has feet settled in the Mustangs’ environment after scoring his first and second goals for the team.
In the standings, the Mustangs come in at 13-3-1 with 28 PTS and the Wausau RiverWolves come in at 2-10 with 4 PTS.
GAME INFORMATION:
Peoria Mustangs (13-3-1) vs. Wausau RiverWolves (2-10)
DATE: January 8, 2021 & January 9, 2021
TIME: 7:15 PM & 6:45 PM (Central)
LOCATION: Owens Center, Peoria, IL, USA
HOW TO WATCH: www.hockeytv.com
FAN ATTENDANCE: No fans allowed
