Macon Mayhem fall short against first-place Peoria

Worn down by injuries and playing for the third time in as many days, the Macon Mayhem gave SPHL-leading Peoria all it could handle Sunday at the Macon Coliseum, only to fall short 3-1.

The Rivermen (18-5-2) have won a league-best eight games in a row. They broke a tie at 1 in the second period on a power play goal by Terrence Wallin in what ended up being enough to beat the homestanding Mayhem, who tied the score in the first period on a power play goal by Ryan Michel. Peoria added an empty net goal in the final minute for its third score.

The Mayhem (10-15-3) have lost five of six after winning five games in a row.

FIVE WHO MATTERED

Michel: The Macon defenseman continues to epitomize the meaning of "next man up." With team captain Curtis Megginson remaining out with an injury, Michel has become a steady two-way option. His slap shot power-play goal in the first period off a pass from the opposite side, courtesy of Shawn Skelly, got past Peoria goalie David Jacobson for what was then a tying score.

Wallin: Just 15 seconds into a power play after Michel was whistled for goalie interference, the right winger blasted a shot from the left outside past Macon goalie Garrett Bartus. The score ended up being the game-winner.

Adam Stuart: He put Peoria on the board 7:36 into the first period, corralling a loose puck in front of Bartus off a shot by Ben Oskroba that bounced off of the pads of Bartus.

Jacobson: Peoria's goalie continued to make the most of his playing time as a backup. Jacobson, who began the season with the Mayhem, won for the fourth time in as many appearances, turning back 32 of the 33 shots he faced.

Bartus: Macon's goalie appeared to benefit from having a night off on Saturday, keeping the Mayhem in contention all the way until the final whistle. He stopped 26 of the 28 shots he faced but was unable to get the win as he fell victim to hockey's version of a pitcher not getting much run support.

TURNING POINT

Just shy of eight minutes into the second quarter, Michel's shot toward the goal went off of Jacobson's mask, and a scrum ensued in front of the Peoria net. Michel, however, was sent to the penalty box on a two-minute goalie interference penalty. The Rivermen took full advantage, scoring 15 seconds into the power play for what ended up resulting in the game-winning goal.

OBSERVATION

Rest and recovery needed: The Mayhem have five days until their next game, and the break is well-timed for a team battling injuries. All told, Macon is without five of its regular players -- four due to injuries and another, Daniel Gentzler, who is on loan to Elmira of the ECHL. Three of the injured are defensemen. Megginson is on the injured reserve and fellow defenseman Michel left Sunday's game after taking a hit by Peoria's Chris Wilson in the third period. Also missing Sunday's game with an injury was Mike Montrose, who according to head coach Kevin Kerr is hopeful to return by Macon's next game Friday. Left winger Vadim Guskov is also out with an injury. He and Megginson are not expected to return until at least the end of the month. Michel's status was not known following Sunday's game.

THEY SAID IT

Macon right winger Nick Grasso on the loss: "It's a game of bounces; they weren't really bouncing our way."

Kerr on the loss: "We had a game plan, and we struck to it for the most part. I'm proud of my guys. We're banged up, we're hurt and short-handed. When you're short-handed like that, it's tough. But we stuck to our game plan; we had our chances. It could have gone either way."

Kerr on Peoria's second goal: "It's tough. It was just a miscue on our (penalty kill), leaving a guy open who shoots it pretty well."

WHAT'S NEXT?

Macon is off until Friday when it visits Columbus.

This story was originally published January 10, 2016 at 9:12 PM with the headline "Macon Mayhem fall short against first-place Peoria ."