Rivermen Game Notes: Fayetteville Marksmen at Peoria Rivermen
February 18, 2018 - SPHL (SPHL) - Peoria Rivermen News Release
ROLLING ON THE RIVER
The Rivermen enter play today after a 7-3 win over the Marksmen last night, giving the Rivermen three wins in a row overall and eight straight wins at Carver Arena, dating back to a December 23 victory over Roanoke. The Rivermen enter today's tilt 26-10-3 on the season, good for first place in the SPHL standings.
THE SERIES SO FAR
Tonight's contest marks the fifth and final meeting this season between the Rivermen and the Marksmen, and the third of three at Carver Arena. The Rivermen made their season's only trip to Fayetteville for a pair of games December 1 & 2, taking a 3-0 win at the Crown Coliseum December 1 before capturing a 6-5 overtime win the following night. The Rivermen took a 3-2 win to begin this weekend's series Friday night before last evening's 7-3 victory.
LEAVE YOUR MARK
The Fayetteville Marksmen enter today's game at 10-23-6 on the season, currently sitting last in the SPHL standings. The Marksmen enter today's tilt riding a six-game winless streak, dropping an overtime contest at Birmingham February 3 before falling in regulation at home against Roanoke last Thursday, at Roanoke last Friday, and at home against Macon on Saturday.
The Marksmen are led in point production this season by veteran center Jake Hauswirth, who has tallied a league-best 49 points, including 20 goals and a team-best 29 assists. Additionally, veteran Marksmen winger Kyle McNeil has tallied 13 goals and 10 helpers on the season, while former Peoria winger Dakota Klecha posted a pair of markers last night to give him seven goals and an assist in nine games since joining the Marksmen via trade. In net, Marksmen goaltender Patrick Spano has gone 2- 10-1 for Fayetteville with a 4.16 GAA and an .890 save percentage in 13 games since joining the Marksmen from Knoxville.
HATS FOR HAGS
Last night's 7-3 Rivermen win included the first career hat trick for Peoria winger Alec Hagaman, moving him into a tie with teammate Mike Gurtler for the team lead with 16 goals this season. In 35 games this season, the fourth-year pro has added 25 assists, and last night's hat trick gave the Peoria native new career highs for goals and points in a single season.
ECO BOOSTED
Last night's Peoria victory also featured a pair of goals, including a game-winner for Peoria winger Michael Economos, his second career multi-goal game and his third game-winning tally this season.
In 31 games this season, the Crystal Lake, IL native has notched five goals and assisted on four others, adding a +4rating and 66 penalty minutes.
SMITTY'S ON FIRE
Last night's game also saw three assists recorded by Rivermen winger Will Smith, marking his third straight multi-point outing and his first career multi-assist game and giving the first-year pro 11 assists among 24 points in 31 games with the Rivermen this season, adding a +11 rating.
SCORING WID-MORE
Rivermen center Joseph Widmar tallied a goal and two assists last night, giving the first-year pro eight points in his last five games. For the season, Widmar has tallied seven goals and 17 assists, adding a +13 rating in 20 games for the Rivermen.
WHAT'S ON DECK
After today's series finale, the Rivermen will remain at home to host Huntsville next Friday night before playing at Evansville next Saturday night. Peoria will then host another three-game weekend at Carver Arena March 2-4, hosting Evansville March 2 before taking on the Mississippi RiverKings the following two nights.
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