Rivermen Game Notes: Peoria Rivermen at Evansville Thunderbolts
February 24, 2018 - SPHL (SPHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
WE'RE GOING STREAKING
The Rivermen come into this evening's contest in Evansville after earning a 4-1 win over Huntsville last night in Peoria. The win, Peoria's fifth in a row, dating back to a February 11 win at Macon, lifts the Rivermen to 28-10-3 on the season, good for first place in the SPHL, three points ahead of second-place Pensacola.
THE SERIES SO FAR
Tonight's tilt marks the 11th of 13 games between the Rivermen and Thunderbolts, and the last of seven at the Ford Center. 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 played a home-and-home-and- home trio of games January 26-28, with Peoria taking all three 6-3, 5-4, and 4-2, respectively.
After tonight's game the Thunderbolts will travel to Peoria for single games March 2 and 25.
LIGHTNING AND THE THUNDER
The Thunderbolts come into tonight's game riding a 12-game winless skid after last night's 3- 2 overtime loss to Macon at the Ford Center.
Since a January 23 win over Huntsville, the Thunderbolts have gone 0-10-2, including a trio of losses to the Rivermen January 26-28. In scoring this season, the Bolts are led by third- year pro John Scorcia, who has logged 15 goals and 29 assists, skating in all 43 games for the 'Bolts this season. Veteran center Dylan Clarke has notched 21 goals and assisted on 21 more for Evansville, while winger Dave Williams has posted 16 goals and 23 helpers in 43 games.
RUNNING WITH THE MAD DOG
Last night's Rivermen win marked the fifth straight win in goal for Peoria goaltender Peter Di Salvo, lifting the Oakville, ON native to 7-1-1 in net since joining the Rivermen via trade with Fayetteville. Since coming to the Rivermen in late January, Di Salvo has logged a 2.35 GAA and a .913 save percentage in nine games between the pipes for the Rivermen. Now in his fifth professional season, Di Salvo has amassed a 68-33- 11 record in 119 career SPHL games to go with a 2.68 GAA and .912 save percentage.
KILLER KALISZ
Last night's Rivermen win also included a goal and an assist for Rivermen winger Joe Kalisz, giving the second-year pro 11 points in 12 games since joining the Rivermen. For the season between Peoria and Fayetteville, the UW-Stevens Point product has tallied 12 goals and eight assists in 37 games after he notched 35 points in 48 games last season for the then-FireAntz.
THE DISHIN' MAGICIAN STRIKES AGAIN
Rivermen center Joseph Widmar recorded a pair of assists in last night's Peoria victory, giving the first-year pro 20 helpers among 28 points in 22 games with the Rivermen this season. In addition to his time in Peoria this season, the UMass- Amherst product has seen action in 20 ECHL games, logging six assists between Fort Wayne and Greenville.
WHAT'S ON DECK
After tonight's game, the Rivermen will return home for a trio of games at Carver Arena next weekend, hosting the Thunderbolts Friday at 7:15 before welcoming the Mississippi RiverKings to Peoria for games Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. The Rivermen will then travel to the Landers Center for a pair of games at Mississippi March 9 & 10 before making the season's lone trip to Pensacola for games on the 16th and 17th .
SPHL Stories from February 24, 2018
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- Rivermen Game Notes: Peoria Rivermen at Evansville Thunderbolts - Peoria Rivermen
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