Ice Bears fall in game one of SPHL semi-finals

PEORIA, Ill. (WVLT) - The Knoxville Ice Bears fell to the Peoria Rivermen 6-3 in game one of the SPHL semi-finals on Friday.

Knoxville took a 2-1 lead in the first period on goals from Derek Osik and Jared Westcott before Peoria took a 3-2 lead in the second period.

JM Piotrowski scored two goals ten minutes apart in the second period to give the Rivermen their first lead of the night.

Jason Brancheau scored the equalizer just before the final intermission to tie the score at 3.

In the third, Peoria outscored Knoxville 3-0 to take game one, 6-3.

Stephen Mundinger finished with 36 saves for Knoxville.

The best of five series continues on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. Eastern.