Rivermen edge Wolves 3-2

The Chicago Wolves opened the scoring 4:05 into the game but could only muster 1 other goal in a 3-2 loss to the host Peoria Rivermen in an Illinois Lottery Cup matchup Thursday night at Carver Arena.

Forwards Nathan Longpre and Bill Sweatt scored for the Wolves, who were held to 2 or fewer goals for the ninth time in 10 games this season.

Peoria (5-4-1-1) broke a 2-2 tie while on the power-play at 10:24 of the second period. Right wing Jonathon Cheechoo’s shot from the high slot deflected off a Wolves defender and left wing Brett Sterling pounced on the loose puck and poked it past Wolves goalie Eddie Lack.

The Wolves (3-5-0-2) opened scoring when forward Tim Miller skated the puck into Peoria’s zone, wrapped around the back of the net and slipped a pass to Longpre, who flicked a quick shot past Rivermen goalie Ben Bishop.

The Rivermen tied the score when they broke out on a 2-on-1 break and center T.J. Hensick slid the puck to left wing Derek Nesbitt, who wristed a shot under the arm of Lack at 16:05 of the first period.

Peoria inched ahead 2-1, while short-handed at 4:24 of the second period. A Wolves skater misplayed the puck at his own blue line and center Anthony Nigro skated in on a breakaway and tucked the puck under the pad of Lack.

Lack (2-3-2) posted 20 saves on 23 shots.

The Wolves tied the score at 2-2 when Sweatt bounced of a check on the near boards and carried the puck to the circle and snapped a shot past Bishop, far post.

Bishop (5-3-0) turned aside 28 shots.

The Wolves and Rivermen square off in an Illinois Lottery Cup rematch Friday at 7 p.m. at Carver Arena.