Rivermen Game Notes: Peoria Rivermen at Pensacola Ice Flyers
Published on March 17, 2018 under SPHL (SPHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
HAUNTED HOUSE OF HORRORS
The Rivermen come into play tonight after suffering a 5-2 defeat to the Ice Flyers at the Pensacola Bay Center last night leaving the Rivermen in search of their first win at the Bay Center since an overtime victory January 31, 2015. Despite the loss, the Rivermen remain in first place in the SPHL, 32-12-4 on the year with eight games remaining in the regular season.
THE SERIES SO FAR
Tonight marks the fourth and final meeting this season between the Rivermen and Ice Flyers, and the second of two at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The Rivermen and Ice Flyers met November 3 & 4 in Peoria, with the Flyers capturing a 4-2 win at Carver Arena November 3 before taking a 3-1 win the following night. Following last night's contest, the Rivermen and Ice Flyers will wrap up the season series tonight, with Peoria in search of their first win over Pensacola since November 2016.
SCOUTING THE ICE FLYERS
The Ice Flyers come into tonight's contest 29- 11-5 on the season, good for 63 points, second best in the SPHL and five points behind league- leading Peoria. Pensacola entered the weekend riding a three-game losing streak after dropping a pair of games in Birmingham last weekend, falling 6-3 to the Bulls last Friday before dropping a 3-2 overtime decision at the Pelham Civic Complex the following night. Entering play tonight, the Ice Flyers lead the SPHL with 37.17 shots on goal per game, and their 28.67 SOG allowed per game is also a league-best.
Pensacola ranks first in fewest goals allowed per game at 2.70, while their 3.54 goals scored per contest is fifth in the SPHL. In terms of individual point production, winger Garrett Milan leads the Ice Flyers with 41 assists and 51 total points, while teammate Jessyko Bernard leads the team with 24 goals scored on the year.
GO-GO GORMAN
Last night's loss in Pensacola included a power- play goal for Rivermen winger Connor Gorman, giving the second-year pro 14 goals among 30 total points in 39 games played this season. For the year, the Shrewsbury, Ma native leads the Rivermen with seven power-play tallies this season, and his 12 power-play points trail only veterans Alec Hagaman and Dave Pszenyczny for tops on the Rivermen roster.
HELLO MR. HURRICANE
Last night's game in Pensacola saw a goal scored and another apparent goal disallowed for Rivermen winger Cody Dion, giving the veteran 11 goals and 11 assists in 31 games this season.
Last season, Dion led the Rivermen with 24 goals scored in 48 games, adding 15 assists and a +11 rating before notching five goals in seven postseason games as the Rivermen advanced to the President's Cup Finals for the second consecutive season.
WHAT A (HAGA)MAN
Last night also saw Rivermen winger Alec Hagaman notch an assist to extend his point streak to five games, dating back to March 3 against Mississippi. With last night's helper, Hagaman has logged a point or more in 13 of his last 15 outings, dating back to a February 2 game in Huntsville, and the Peoria native has posted nine goals and 11 assists in that span. For the season, the fourth-year pro has amassed a team-best 22 goals, adding 31 assists for a team-high 53 points and a league-best +32 rating.
WHAT'S ON DECK
After tonight's contest in Pensacola, the Rivermen will return home for a three-game weekend March 23-25 at Carver Arena, hosting the Macon Mayhem and the Evansville Thunderbolts. The Rivermen will then play a pair of two-game weekends, at Roanoke March 30 & 31, and at home against the Rail Yard Dawgs April 6 & 7, to conclude the regular season.
SPHL Stories from March 17, 2018
- RiverKings Beat by 'Bolts, 5-3 - Mississippi RiverKings
- Stewart Strikes Down RiverKings with Hat Trick - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Dawgs Beaten by Birmingham, 6-1 - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Despite Tough Battle, Ice Flyers Fall 2-1 to Peoria - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Mayhem Earn Dominant 4-1 Victory over Marksmen - Macon Mayhem
- Spano's 44 Saves Not Enough, Marksmen Fall 4-1 - Fayetteville Marksmen
- Rivermen Game Notes: Peoria Rivermen at Pensacola Ice Flyers - Peoria Rivermen
- Rail Yard Dawgs Game Notes: Rail Yard Dawgs (22-22-4) at Bulls (21-22-5) - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Mayhem Game Notes: Mayhem at Fayetteville Marksmen - Macon Mayhem
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