Rail Yard Dawgs Game Notes: Rail Yard Dawgs (25-24-4) vs Rivermen (36-12-5)
Published on March 31, 2018 under SPHL (SPHL)
Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs News Release
ROANOKE RAIL YARD DAWGS
(25-24-4), T-7th SPHL, 54 Pts
PEORIA RIVERMEN
(36-12-5), 1st SPHL, 75 Pts
Saturday, March 31, 2018 - 7:05 PM
Berglund Center - Roanoke, VA
Broadcast: SPHL Live | Mixlr
LAST TIME OUT: Colin Murray scored in the final minute of the third period to bring the Dawgs within one but the comeback attempt fell short as Roanoke was defeated by the Peoria Rivermen, 2-1, Friday night at Berglund Center. Brad Barone made 33 saves on 35 shots in the loss and the Dawgs' three-game winning streak was snapped.
MAGIC NUMBER - 2: Despite its loss to Peoria, the Rail Yard Dawgs saw their magic number to clinch a postseason berth shrink down to two on Friday night thanks to Birmingham's loss in Pensacola. The Rail Yard Dawgs currently sit five points clear of the Bulls with three games remaining for both teams. The highest point total the Bulls can possibly finish with is 55, a number that could only be reached if Birmingham wins each of its remaning games. This means a Rail Yard Dawgs win or a Bulls loss would put Roanoke in the postseason.
THE REST OF THE WAY: The Rail Yard Dawgs have three games remaining in their regular season- all of which will take place against the Peoria Rivermen. Roanoke hosts Peoria on Friday and Saturday to finish out its home schedule. The Dawgs will then head to central Illinois next weekend for their final two games. Roanoke is now 0-2-0 against Peoria this season.
TRANSACTIONS: Roanoke made a pair of transactions on Friday afternoon as it released forward Ben Greiner from his amateur tryoutt and placed defenseman Taylor Love on season-ending injured reserve. Greiner appeared in four games for the Dawgs and recorded one assist. Love had just been activated off IR on Monday after he had missed the previous 13 games. He was injured during his first game back, Thursday's 6-2 win in Fayetteville.
CREAM OF THE CROP: Peoria clinched the William B. Coffey Trophy on Friday night, the trophy awarded to the SPHL's regular season points champion. The Rivermen won the trophy for the third time in the last four years. Peoria has reached the President's Cup final in each of the last two seasons but is still seeking its first league championship.
FRIENDS NO MORE: Roanoke head coach Dan Bremner played the final three seasons of his pro career for Peoria and served as the Rivermen captain for the last two. He was teammates with six current Rivermen skaters and played all three seasons under Peoria head coach Jean-Guy Trudel.
BYE BYE BERGLUND: Saturday's game is the final home game of the regular season for the Rail Yard Dawgs. Roanoke is 13-13-1 in its 27 home games thus far. Last season, the Rail Yard Dawgs went 10-12-6 at home.
UP NEXT: The Rail Yard Dawgs hit the road for Illinois to play their final two games of the regular season. Friday night's puck drop against the Peoria Rivermen is scheduled for 7:15 PM CDT
SPHL Stories from March 31, 2018
- RiverKings Power Past Havoc, 5-3 - Mississippi RiverKings
- Ice Flyers End the Regular Season at Home with a Shutout by Billett - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Jake Faiella Scores First Career Goal in Mayhem's 4-1 Win over Marksmen - Macon Mayhem
- Sylves Makes 21 Saves in Loss in Knoxville - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Dawgs Dropped by Rivermen, 5-2 - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Rivermen Game Notes: Peoria Rivermen at Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs - Peoria Rivermen
- Mayhem Game Notes: Mayhem vs. Fayetteville Marksmen - Macon Mayhem
- Weekend Preview: Ice Flyers vs. Birmingham Bulls - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Rail Yard Dawgs Game Notes: Rail Yard Dawgs (25-24-4) vs Rivermen (36-12-5) - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
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