Resilient Rivermen Bounce Back with 3-1 Win in Moline
Published on February 14, 2026 under SPHL (SPHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
MOLINE, IL - Battered, bruised, dealing with injuries and call-ups, the short-handed Peoria Rivermen (32-10-1) rallied after a 2-1 loss on Friday to defeat the Quad City Storm (18-20-5) by a score of 3-1 at Vibrant Arena at the MARK in Moline. Connor Szmul, Cory Dennis, and Alec Baer scored for the Rivermen while goaltender Jack Bostedt made 33 saves on 34 shots.
The win marked the 11th of the season against Quad City, as the Rivermen conclude the season series with their rivals at 11-2-1. Peoria will be back in action on home ice on Friday, February 20, against the Evansville Thunderbolts.
FIRST PERIOD
Peoria struck first early in the first period, right as a five-on-three power play expired. Michael McChesney attempted a wrap-around at the left side of the net. But the puck deflected back off of McChesney's stick back in behind to Connor Szmul. Szmul then wrapped it back around to the left side and stuffed the puck into the net to put the Rivermen up 1-0. In the final minute of the first period, while on the power play again, Peoria extended its lead thanks to Cory Dennis. Alec Baer was able to corral th e puck in the left-wing corner and, with the help of Braydon Barker, sent the puck into the high slot for Dennis, who hammered a slap-shot from right between the top of the circles. Dennis' slap-shot sailed in past Quad City netminder Zane Steeves, and the Rivermen led 2-0 after the first period.
SECOND PERIOD
Aided by two power plays, the Storm came on strong in the second period, outshooting the Rivermen 17-8 in the middle frame. The Rivermen defense, shorthanded due to injuries and call-ups, was tested, and goaltender Jack Bostedt was put under siege. But the resilient Rivermen defense held firm thanks to some timely saves, desperation blocks, and a commitment to team defense. Toward the end of the period, while Peoria was on the power play, the Rivermen extended their lead to 3-0. Alec Baer curled from the le ft-wing half-wall to the circle and rifled a wrist-shot toward the net. The shot sailed through traffic and into the back of the net to give the Rivermen captain his third goal in three games.
THIRD PERIOD
Like the second period, the third saw Quad City outshoot the Rivermen by a wide margin. The Storm found the back of the net on a short-angle shot about six minutes into the third period, but the Rivermen surrendered nothing more. Their defense held firm, and Jack Bostedt made a number of key saves despite being peppered with Quad City shots.
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