SPHL Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen Game Notes: Evansville Thunderbolts at Peoria Rivermen

Published on March 2, 2018 under SPHL (SPHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


WE'RE GOING STREAKING

The Rivermen enter play tonight winners of their last six games, dating back to a February 11 win at Macon. The Rivermen come into tonight's game 29-10-3 on the season, good for first place in the SPHL, three points ahead of Pensacola. With a win tonight, the Rivermen can mathematically lock Birmingham behind them and assure themselves of a playoff spot.

THE SERIES SO FAR

Tonight's tilt marks the 12th of 13 games between the Rivermen and Thunderbolts, and the fifth of six at Carver Arena. Peoria took a 5-4 shootout win in Evansville to open the regular season October 21 before the Thunderbolts won 4-2 in Evansville October 24. Peoria captured a 4-1 win at the Ford Center November 17 before a 4-3 overtime win December 29 in Peoria and a 5-2 win in Evansville on New Year's Eve. The Rivermen took a 5-4 shootout win in Peoria on January 12 before the Thunderbolts captured a 3- 2 rematch at the Ford Center the following night.

After tonight's contest, the Rivermen and Thunderbolts met for the final time in Evansville last Saturday, with Peoria taking a 3-2 regulation victory on Will Smith's tiebreaking goal with 38 seconds left in regulation. After tonight, the Thunderbolts return to Peoria March 25 to wrap up the season series.

LIGHTNING AND THE THUNDER

The Evansville Thunderbolts come into tonight's contest at 19-18-7 on the season, riding a 13- game losing streak dating back to a January 26 loss in Peoria. During their current skid, the Thunderbolts have fallen from second to sixth in the SPHL standings, currently sitting one point ahead of seventh-place Mississippi. Thunderbolts Center John Scorcia leads the team with 30 assists and 45 total points, while veteran forward Dylan Clarke has tallied a team-high 22 goals among 42 total points in 44 games played, and winger Dave Williams has posted an additional 40 points (16g, 24a) for the year.

FOR PETE'S SAKE

Peoria comes into this weekend's trio of games after Peoria goaltender Peter Di Salvo was named SPHL Player of the Week, marking the second consecutive week a Peoria player has earned the honor. Di Salvo earned both Peoria wins between the pipes last weekend, stopping 24 of 25 shots faced in Friday's win over Huntsville before turning aside 32 of 34 Thunderbolts shots in Saturday's win at the Ford Center. Since joining the Rivermen via a January trade with Fayetteville, Di Salvo is 8-1-1 in net with a 2.32 GAA and a .916 save percentage.

THE FRESH PRINCE OF PEORIA

Saturday's Rivermen win in Evansville saw a game-winning goal scored by Peoria winger Will Smith with 38 seconds remaining in regulation, giving the East Longmeadow, MA native his fourth GWG of the season, tying him with Keegan Bruce and Ryan Siiro for the team high. In 34 total games this season, Smith has notched 15 goals and 14 assists, adding a +14 rating, and he enters tonight's play riding a seven-game point-scoring streak, during which he has logged five goals and eight assists.

WHAT A (HAGA)MAN

Rivermen winger Alec Hagaman notched a goal in Saturday's game at Evansville, tying him with captain Dave Pszenyczny for the team lead with 45 points. For the season, Hagaman has notched a team-best 18 goals, while registering a +26 rating, good for first among all SPHL forwards.

WHAT'S ON DECK

After tonight's game, the Rivermen will host the Mississippi RiverKings tomorrow night and Sunday afternoon, with the Rivermen wearing specialty jerseys tomorrow for Chicago Blackhawks Night at Carver Arena. After this weekend Peoria will travel to Southaven, MS for a pair of games with the RiverKings next Friday and Saturday before traveling to Pensacola for games March 16 & 17.

Check out the Peoria Rivermen Statistics

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