Rivermen Game Notes: Macon Mayhem (28-16-6) at Peoria Rivermen (34-12-4)
March 24, 2018 - SPHL (SPHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
CARDIAC KIDS
The Rivermen come into tonight's rematch with the Mayhem after capturing a 2-1 overtime win over Macon last night in Peoria, lifting the Rivermen to 34-12-4 on the season and widening their lead to six points over the rest of the SPHL.
Last night's win lifts the Rivermen to 5-0 in overtimes this season and 8-4 overall in games beyond regulation.
THE SERIES SO FAR
Tonight's contest marks the final of three meetings between the Rivermen and Mayhem this season, and the last of two at Carver Arena. The Rivermen captured a 6-3 win in their only trip to Macon this season, February 11, before taking last night's 2-1 overtime victory. Last season, the Rivermen took three of the four meetings between the two clubs in the regular season, taking a 4-3 win in Macon October 27 before the Mayhem captured a 2-1 shootout victory the following night. The Rivermen then collected a 4- 3 shootout win in Peoria January 14 before topping the Mayhem 5-4 in regulation to round out the series. In the President's Cup Finals last season, the Rivermen fell 2-0 to the Mayhem, dropping a 2-1 regulation decision April 28 before falling 2-1 in Macon April 30.
SCOUTING THE MAYHEM
Macon enters play tonight 28-16-6 on the season, tied with Knoxville for fourth in the SPHL at 62 points, with six games remaining in their regular season. Last night's overtime point, coupled with Birmingham's loss in regulation last evening, clinches a playoff spot for the Mayhem this season, putting Macon in the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Offensively this season, the Mayhem have been paced by former Rivermen winger Jake Trask, who potted his team-leading 24th goal last night to go with 36 assists and 60 total points, tied with Fayetteville's Jake Hauswirth for second most in the SPHL.
JUMP JIVE AN' JORDAN
Last night's 2-1 overtime win for the Rivermen included a pair of goals for Peoria center/defenseman Jordan Carvalho, giving the first-year pro his first career multi-goal game. In 44 games for the Rivermen and Mississippi RiverKings this season, Carvalho has tallied six goals and 13 assists, including one power-play assist and one game-winning goal.
PULDE SAVES
Last night's win also marked the second straight victory in net for Rivermen goaltender Mason Pulde, lifting the Lexington, MA native to 4-0-1 in seven outings this season. Since joining the Rivermen in early February, Pulde has logged a 1.30 goals-against average and a sparkling .963 save percentage, including a 39-save effort last Saturday in Pensacola, where he helped the Rivermen win their first game at the Bay Center in over three years.
WHAT A (HAGA)MAN
Last night's game included an assist on the overtime GWG for Rivermen winger Alec Hagaman, improving the fourth-year pro to 32 assists and a team-best 54 points in just 46 games played. For the season, Hagaman leads the Rivermen with 22 goals, and his +32 rating leads all SPHL skaters.
IT'S MAGIC
With last night's win, Peoria assures themselves of a Top-4 finish in the SPHL this season, and drops their magic number to clinch first place to seven points over Pensacola, three over Macon, and one over Huntsville.
WHAT'S ON DECK
After tonight's game, the Rivermen will conclude the weekend with a 3:05 game tomorrow against Evansville. The Rivermen will then travel to Roanoke, VA next weekend for a pair of games with the Rail Yard Dawgs before hosting Roanoke April 6 & 7 to wrap up the regular season.
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SPHL Stories from March 24, 2018
- Rivermen Drop Overtime Squeaker to Mayhem Saturday - Peoria Rivermen
- Thunderbolts Punch Ticket to Playoffs with Sweep of Ice Flyers - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Mayhem Defeat Rivermen 5-4 - Macon Mayhem
- Ice Flyers Lose 3-1 to Thunderbolts - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Roanoke Squeaks by Knoxville, 3-2 - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- RiverKings Take Second in a Row from Fayetteville - Mississippi RiverKings
- Tight Contest Favors RiverKings - Fayetteville Marksmen
- Rivermen Game Notes: Macon Mayhem (28-16-6) at Peoria Rivermen (34-12-4) - Peoria Rivermen
- Mayhem Game Notes: Mayhem at Peoria Rivermen - Macon Mayhem
- Rail Yard Dawgs Game Notes: Rail Yard Dawgs (23-23-4) vs Ice Bears (28-17-6) - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Ice Bears Win Big in Swider's Return - Knoxville Ice Bears
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