Havoc holds off Rivermen, forces deciding game for Commissioner’s Cup berth

The Peoria Rivermen came up short for the first time in four Southern Professional Hockey League matches and will face a win or go golfing contest at the Peoria Civic Center Saturday.

The host Huntsville Havoc forced the third and deciding game with a 4-3 overtime win at PharmacyFirst Ice on Friday night, Steven Phee giving his team near life with his goal 11:48 into the extra session.

Actually, the home team grabbed control early with first period goals by Christian Powers and Mike Piluso. But the Rivermen rallied back as Connor Gorman fired the lone goal of the second period from Christian Weidauer and Brandon Greenside and another Gorman goal 2:40 into the third completed the comeback.

Alex Hagaman gave the visitors its first lead at the 6:40 from Gorman and Weidauer but a desperate Havoc team forced the overtime session with Justin Tateson’s goal 55 seconds from the final buzzer. Goaltender Tyler Steel was on the bench in favor of an extra attacker at the time of the goal.

In other league play on the same night the Macon Mayhem punched its Commissioners’ Cup Championship series card finishing a two game sweep against the Pensacola Ice Pilots, defending Cup champs with a 3-2 win.

Winner of Saturday’s game at the Civic Center will advance to face off in the Commisioner’s Cup championship against the Mayhem.