PEORIA, Ill. – It looked like it would be a tough evening for the Rochester Grizzlies. Especially after how the score appeared after one period. At the end of the night, the Grizzlies scored four in the third period to complete a comeback and defeat the Peoria Mustangs, 5-3 on the road.
Saturday evening’s game marked the second meeting and first of two this weekend between Peoria and Rochester. The Mustangs would get the first goal of the game as Tristan Trudel scored just six seconds into a power play at 5:57 of the first. Austin Keil would add a late first period goal, making it 2-0 for the home team with just over five minutes to play in the first. Peoria would only put five shots on Grizzlies goalie Shane Soderwall in the first period but saw two go past him.
Devin Hays would cut the lead in half for the Grizzlies just 49 seconds into the second period on the power play. Michael Heitkamp and Joey Fodstad picked up the assists on Hays’ second goal of the season. The Grizzlies wouldn’t be able to take advantage of a five-minute power play in the second period, as Mustangs forward Camdem Swearingen was given a major penalty and game misconduct for head contact.
The Grizzlies would storm back in the third period, however. Peyton Hart scored his fourth goal of the season just 1:47 into the third, tying the game at two. The lead would only last 1:20 as Jaycob Bland gave Peoria the lead right back at 3:07. After that, it was all Grizzlies.
Hart scored his second of the game at 10:59 of the third period, tying the game at three. Clayton Shultz and Garrett Smith assisted on the goal. Smith picked up his second assist on the goal. Just 40 seconds later, Joey Fodstad added to his team lead in goals, knocking home his 11th of the season to give the Grizzlies a 4-3 lead. Hays and Porter Haney assisted on what would be the game-winning goal. Haney then added the insurance marker with 58 seconds to go in the third, with Fodstad assisting on the goal.
The win gave Rochester (7-2-0-0, 14 points) its first win of the season when trailing after two periods. The Grizzlies have only trailed one other time after two periods, that coming back in the first game of the season against Milwaukee. Soderwall picked up his fifth win of the season in net.
Rochester and Peoria are at it again Sunday afternoon from Peoria. Puck drop is set for 1:15. Sunday’s game marks the final time Rochester plays a road game against Peoria in the regular season.
The Grizzlies return home Friday, October 18th for First Responders Night. All first responders get free admission to the game with a valid ID. Family members of first responders get tickets for just $5. For more information, call the Grizzlies’ front office at 507-722-0415.