SPHL Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen Capture Comeback OT Thriller

Published on January 17, 2015 under SPHL (SPHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


PEORIA - The Peoria Rivermen overcame a two-goal deficit with a late tying tally and a winner in the extra session to capture a 4-3 overtime victory over the Louisiana IceGators on Saturday night at Carver Arena.

The Rivermen scored just 40 seconds into the game when Josh Harris put home a rebound on assists from Mike Gurtler and Ben Oskroba. The IceGators evened the score with 3:12 left in the opening period when Bret Peppler shook free and scored on an open drive to the net.

The visitors grabbed a 2-1 lead with 8:10 left in the second period on a rebound goal by August Aiken assisted by Jake Hauswirth and Mitchell Stretch. The Ice Gators quickly extended the lead to 3-1 just 2:02 later when Bobby Watson scored through the five-hole, assisted by Chris Wilson and Stretch and ending the night for Rivermen goalie Eric Levine.

The Rivermen again scored in the first minute of play, this time just 25 seconds into the third period when Alex Hudson converted a centering pass from behind the net deep in the slot on assists from Dan Bremner and Matt Summers to cut the deficit to 3-2. Peoria evened the game with 1:41 left on a power play for a too-many-men infraction against the IceGators when Jake Trask poked in a flurry in the crease with helpers given to Harris and Hudson.

The game-winner came 2:45 into overtime when Garrett Vermeersch corralled a loose puck at the top of the Louisiana zone and skated in on a breakaway, scoring on the backhand after a move in front of the crease.

Kyle Rank earned the win in relief in the Rivermen net, stopping all eight of the shots he faced. Marco De Filippo took the loss with 31 saves. The Rivermen were 1-for-4 on power plays while the IceGators were scoreless on three chances.

The Rivermen remain in third place in the tight Southern Professional Hockey League standings with a record of 17-10-2 for 36 points. The IceGators are tied for fourth with 34 points on a record of 15-11-4.

The home stand concludes Sunday with a 3:05 p.m. game against Louisiana on PJ Star Family Fun Day with a Family Fun Zone in the Great Hall from 2:00 until 3:00 including Fun on the Run inflatables, Wild Style Design face painting and Unique Twist and the Twisting Crew with balloon creations. Fans are also invited to skate with the Rivermen after Sunday's game.

Single game tickets for Peoria's 33rd season of professional hockey are on sale weekdays at the Peoria Civic Center. Season ticket packages and group ticket options for the 2014-15 campaign are on sale now through the Rivermen office, located at 201 S.W. Jefferson Street, or over the phone at (309) 676-1040. For the latest Rivermen news and notes, follow online at www.rivermen.net or through Facebook ( www.facebook.com/PeoriaRivermen) and Twitter ( https://twitter.com/Peoria_Rivermen).

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SPHL Stories from January 17, 2015


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