By Jim den Hollander

Editor

Midwesthockey.info

The Peoria Rivermen might not have been the dominant team this season that is was last year, but the Illinois club finds itself one win away from another Commisioners Cup berth heading into play at PharmacyFirst Ice in Huntsville Alabama tonight.

The Rivermen grabbed a 5-2 win in the opening game of the Best of Three Semi-Final series Wednesday at the Peoria Civic Center to grab quick control of the series.

Both teams moved though the opening round, the Rivermen sweeping the Knoxville Ice Bears while the Huntsville Havoc went the three-game distance to eliminate the Mississippi River Kings.

In the opener of the semi-final round it was actually the Havoc on the board first as John Clewlow put his team in front in the eighth minute. Adam Stuart tied it though for the hosts with 4:08 to play in the opening frame and Cody Dion, with his first of two, put the Rivermen in front to stay 98 seconds later.

Dion added another 8:33 into the second period but Tyler French pulled the Havoc back to within a goal with 5:45 to play in the segment. Connor Gorman restored the two goal margin 92 seconds from the end of the middle 20 and insurance came from Brandon Greenside who wrapped up the scoring 2:06 into the final frame.

The Rivermen will advance to a second straight Commissioners Cup final with a win Friday, or the host Havoc will push the series to its three game limit on Saturday in Peoria.

In the other semi, the defending Commissioners Cup Champion Pensacola Ice Pilots dropped the opener on home ice Wednesday and face elimination at the Macon Centreplex against the host Mayhem on Friday night. If needed, the third game will also be played at Macon on Saturday.