Preview: Mayhem vs. Peoria Rivermen (Game 7)
November 8, 2019 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Mayhem News Release
Mayhem Shut Out in Back-to-Back Contests
Last Saturday marked the first time the Mayhem were shut out in back-to-back games since January 21st of 2017. It was the only other instance in franchise history in which that had occurred. Without a doubt, credit has to be given to Peoria's goaltending tandem. Jeremy Brodeur and Eric Levine each played a flawless 60 minutes, and were named the SPHL's Players of the Week as a duo.
One of the positives to be taken from the series was the high volume of shots on target the Mayhem generated. They outshot the Rivermen on both nights, putting 30+ shots on goal both Friday and Saturday. However, Mayhem Head Coach Leo Thomas clarified that while he was happy with the high number of shot attempts, the team did not do a good enough job of crashing the net and creating second chances off rebounds and deflections. Look for this to be implemented into the game plan this weekend as the Mayhem have an opportunity for retribution on their home ice.
The Matchup
The Rivermen are the only team in the SPHL to have not trailed in a single game yet. They have gotten off to a 5-0-0 start for the first time in franchise history, and are hoping to continue their undefeated run this weekend in Macon. As usual, however, the Mayhem have proven to be an extremely resilient team in their own building in the early stages of this season. They have taken at least a point in all four of their home games so far, taking 6 points out of 8 at the Macon Centreplex and knocking off both of the President's Cup Finals contenders from 2019. It is a notoriously difficult building to play in, even for a squad as capable as Jean-Guy Trudel's Rivermen.
It has been expressly stated by Mayhem coaches and players that scoring the first goal in tonight's game is one of the team's greatest objectives. Peoria has not played from behind yet all season, and forcing them to do so would mean altering some of the tactics which have made them so successful in the early going. Expect a heavy push from Macon in the opening minutes of the contest.
Reinforcements
Joining the Mayhem tonight will be defenseman Ben Campbell and goaltender Cody Porter. Both players spent time with the Knoxville Ice Bears in recent years, and both of them are welcome additions who come aboard at a time in which the Mayhem are in need of reinforcements. With Ryan Devine's injury and Nick Minerva's call-up to the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL, the team needed to add help on the blue line. Ben Campbell is a young defenseman playing his first full professional season after graduating from Nichols College in 2019. As for Porter, the goaltender shined during his junior career in the Western Hockey League and posted solid numbers in his first pro season last year, as well. Campbell will sport the #16 for the Mayhem, while Porter will wear the #39.
A November to Remember
The Mayhem will host a whopping seven home games in the month of November, including a newly changed date on November 15th against the Knoxville Ice Bears. This game will also be the team's first Family 4-Pack night of the 2019-20 season. The other November dates include NASCAR Night (11/08), Macon Music Night (11/09), Cancer Awareness Night (11/16), Country Night (11/22), Mossy Oak Night (11/23) and W.W.E. Night (11/30). For tickets to any of November's seven home games, click here.
ABOUT THE MACON MAYHEM:
The Macon Mayhem is a proud member of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). The team won the 2016-2017 President's Cup Championship, bringing the city of Macon their first professional hockey championship ever and the city's first professional sports championship since 1962, and also won the William B. Coffey Trophy for the best record in the regular season record in 2016-2017. The team is owned by Bob and Diane Kerzner and managed by Director of Hockey Operations & Head Coach Leo Thomas and General Manager Blair Floyd.
SPHL Stories from November 8, 2019
- Havoc Pull out OT Win in Knoxville - Huntsville Havoc
- Mayhem Comeback Efforts Fall Short in Wild Tilt - Macon Mayhem
- Bulls Fall to Ice Flyers 4-1 - Birmingham Bulls
- Dawgs Fall Just Short against Marksmen, 4-3 - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Rivermen Add More Size with Sanipass - Peoria Rivermen
- Rail Yard Dawgs Game Notes: Rail Yard Dawgs (1-4-1) vs Marksmen (5-0-1) - 7:05 PM - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Preview: Mayhem vs. Peoria Rivermen (Game 7) - Macon Mayhem
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