Peter Sejna recorded two goals and an assist to lead the Peoria Rivermen to a 5-4 win over the Iowa Stars in both teams’ AHL debuts in Des Moines on Thursday night.
Mike Glumac picked up a goal and an assist for Peoria, and former Dallas Stars first-round draft pick Jason Bacashihua finished with 29 saves, including 13 in the third period to preserve the victory.
Sejna, a third-year pro out of Colorado College, was returning to Iowa, where he played junior hockey for the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers from 1998-2000.
Iowa was unable to get the equalizer late, despite being on the power play for the final 4:29 of regulation, including an extended two-man advantage and a 6-on-3 edge with Mike Smith pulled in favor of an extra attacker.
Peoria killed off 11 of 12 Stars power plays on the night.
Aaron MacKenzie and Colin Hemingway also scored for the Rivermen, whose home opener will be Friday night against Manitoba.
Toby Petersen led Iowa with a goal and an assist.
Attendance at the Wells Fargo Arena for the Stars’ inaugural home opener was 8,096.
