The rivalry between the Beloit Purple Knights and the Janesville Bluebirds remains heated as ever.

Beloit used a strong third period and erased a 2-1 deficit to beat their Big Eight rivals 4-2 Thursday night in Janesville.

Beloit got on the board first in the opening period. Beloit's Nathan Fiebig carried the puck into the offensive zone and used the defender as a screen. The shot beat the Janesville netminder left side for the 1-0 lead. Both teams had 8 shots in the period.

Janesville was able to tie it in the second period. Bryce Sullivan got off a shot and it trickled thru the Beloit goalies five hole for a tie at 1. Sullivan wasn't finished in the second period though. The 'Birds got a power play and once again Sullivan scored on a low shot for a 2-1 lead. Shots in the period were  17-10 Beloit.

The two teams combined for 4 penalties thru 2 periods.

The Third period alone they had 9 between the teams as things got heated and a little rough. Beloit began their comeback just less than 3 minutes into the final period. Brayden Lane was able to get the game tied at 2. Beloit put a lot of pressure on in the offensive zone and finally were able to break the tie. Jaxon Walenga got a shot on net. The Janesville goalie got it in the 5 hole, but the puck slowly rolled over the line for a 3-2 Beloit lead.

Janesville was able to get their goalie pulled, but any hopes of a tie game were dashed when Peyton Whalen was able to put a puck into the empty net for a 4-2 final score.

In the game Beloit goalie Gentry Grant had 25 saves. Janesville goalie Kaleb Erickson was much busier. He stopped 43 of 45 shots.

Beloits record is now 1-11 in conference, 7-15 overall. Their next game is their regular season finale at Monroe February 8.

Janesville's record in conference play is now 1-9 in conference. 3-16 overall. They travel Saturday to Tomah for a nonconference game.