Rivermen Game Notes: Mississippi RiverKings at Peoria
March 3, 2018 - SPHL (SPHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
CAN'T WIN EM ALL
The Rivermen come into tonight's game against the RiverKings after falling 2-1 at home to the Evansville Thunderbolts last night. The loss, Peoria's first since February 10, snapped a six- game win streak for the Rivermen while snapping a 13-game skid for the Thunderbolts. Peoria comes into play tonight sitting atop the SPHL standings at 29-11-3, three points ahead of second-place Pensacola.
ROLLING ON THE RIVER
Tonight's game marks the fifth meeting of eight this season between the Rivermen and RiverKings, and the fourth of five at Carver Arena. The RiverKings and Rivermen met November 24 & 25 in Peoria, with Mississippi taking the former 6-2 before Peoria took the latter 1-0. Mississippi took a 5-1 win in Peoria December 22 before the Rivermen captured a 5- 4 victory in Southaven on January 5. After tonight's and tomorrow's games, the Rivermen will travel to Landers Center for a pair of games next Friday and Saturday to conclude the season series.
SCOUTING THE RIVERKINGS
The RiverKings come into play tonight 21-19-2 on the season, tied with Roanoke for seventh place in the SPHL standings, and winners of their last two games, having earned a 6-4 win over the Macon Mayhem Tuesday night following a 4-3 shootout win against the Rail Yard Dawgs last Saturday. In terms of point production, the RiverKings are led this season by returning center Devin Mantha, who has tallied team highs with 17 goals, 25 assists, and 42 total points. In net, the RiverKings are paced this season by former Rivermen netminder Tyler Green, who has gone 15-13-2 between the pipes with a 2.99 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage in 33 games played. Last year, the Noblesville, IN native racked up a 10-4-4 record in 19 outings for the Rivermen, logging a 2.77 GAA and a .907 saves rate.
ECO-FRIENDLY STREAK
Last night's lone Rivermen goal was scored by Peoria winger Michael Economos, giving the Crystal Lake, IL native a seven-game point streak dating back to Peoria's February 11 win at Macon.
In his last seven outings, Economos has totaled seven goals and four assists, including a pair of game-winning tallies February 17 & 18 against Fayetteville. For the season, Economos has registered 10 goals and six assists in 35 contests, adding a +6 rating and 66 penalty minute.
THE FRESH PRINCE OF PEORIA
Last night's Rivermen loss to Evansville also saw an assist recorded by Peoria winger Will Smith, giving the first-year pro a point or more in each of his last eight outings. During a stretch dating back to February 10, Smith has tallied five goals and nine assists, including three game-winning goals and five points on the power play.
STRONG STARTERS
Last night's game saw the Rivermen score first for the 24th time this season, and hold a lead after the first period for the 20th time. In the first period of games this season, Peoria has outscored its opponents 50-36, and when opening the scoring, the Rivermen are 20-4-0. When holding the lead after one period this season, the Rivermen are 16- 3-1, and when holding an advantage after 40 minutes of hockey, Peoria is 22-1-2 on the year.
WHAT'S ON DECK
After this weekend's games with the RiverKings, the Rivermen will travel to the Landers Center for a pair of tilts in Southaven next Friday and Saturday before heading to Pensacola for games with the Ice Flyers March 16 & 17. After that, the Rivermen will return home March 23-25 for a trio of games, hosting the Macon Mayhem twice before concluding the weekend against the Evansville Thunderbolts.
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SPHL Stories from March 3, 2018
- Rivermen Storm Back to Topple RiverKings Saturday - Peoria Rivermen
- RiverKings Lose Hard-Fought Battle to Peoria, 6-4 - Mississippi RiverKings
- Roanoke Halted in Pensacola, 5-2 - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Mayhem Offense Struggles in 4-1 Defeat to Huntsville Havoc - Macon Mayhem
- Rivermen Game Notes: Mississippi RiverKings at Peoria - Peoria Rivermen
- Rail Yard Dawgs Game Notes: Rail Yard Dawgs (20-19-4) at Ice Flyers (27-10-4) - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Mayhem Game Notes: Mayhem at Huntsville Havoc - Macon Mayhem
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