THUNDER BAY, Ontario, Canada – The Thunder Bay Chill snapped the Des Moines Menace’s 19-match road unbeaten streak in convincing fashion, running away with a 7-2 win tonight at Chapples Park.

Brandon Swartzendruber’s hat trick led the Chill’s scoring avalanche – the second-most goals Des Moines has allowed in franchise history, eclipsed only by an 8-1 loss to Milwaukee in 1995. The defeat is the Menace’s first one away from home since a 2-0 loss at Colorado Rapids U23 on May 23, 2008.

The Chill (5-1-0 to start the Premier Development League season) has outscored its opponents 23-5 and is within one point of the second-place Menace (4-2-4, 16 points) in the Heartland Division standings, despite playing four fewer matches.

Jack Pearson and Yuki Kariya scored for the visitors, who trailed 4-0 at halftime.

Less than two minutes into the second half, Pearson’s header off a corner kick from Clark Bradford brought the Menace within three goals. Swartzendruber stretched the lead to five, with back-to-back goals in the 54th and 56th minutes.

Set up by assistant coach Neathan Gibson’s assist, Kariya scored on a half-volley that bounced off the post in the 68th minute, to make it 6-2. Gibson, playing for the first time since suiting up for the Menace in 2002, played with passion off the bench. The 40-year-old entered the match in the 58th minute; he left the field with a strained calf in the 71st.

Jimmie Mayaleh closed the scoring in the 89th minute. The Chill also received goals from Rafa Heck, Zetroy Robertson and Nolan Intermoia.

This is just the third defeat in 30 regular-season matches for Des Moines, which brought a seven-match unbeaten streak into the night. It was payback for the Chill, after the Menace left Thunder Bay with four points (a win and a tie) each of the last two seasons.

The Menace tries to bounce back tomorrow when these arch-rivals battle in another 7:30 p.m. EDT match.

UPCOMING HOME ACTION:  After this weekend in Thunder Bay and a Thursday-night match at first-place Rochester (Minn.), Des Moines is back at home on June 26, hosting the Springfield Demize. The match caps off a triple-header that opens with the Iowa High School All-Star Games, at 3 p.m. (boys) and 5 p.m. (girls). All three matches are presented by Kum & Go.

Match: Menace at Thunder Bay Chill
Date: June 18, 2010
Competition: Premier Development League Heartland Division regular-season match
Venue: Chapples Park in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. EDT
Attendance:
Weather: 80s


Scoring Summary:     1   2   F
MENACE                       0   2   2
TB                               4   3    7

MENACE – Jack Pearson (Clark Bradford) 47:00; Yuki Kariya (Neathan Gibson) 68:00
TB – Rafa Heck 15:00; Brandon Swartzendruber 18:00; Zetroy Robertson 26:00; Nolan Intermoia 35:00; Sawartzendruber 54:00; Swartzendruber 56:00; Jimmie Mayaleh 89:00              


Stats Summary: MENACE / TB
Shots: 10 / 18
Saves: 6 / 2
Corner Kicks: 5 / 2
Fouls: 9 / 17
Offside: 2 / 1

Misconduct Summary: TB Yellow Cards: Sicelo Buthelevi 78:00; MENACE Yellow Cards: none