Rivermen Jump Back into SPHL Lead with 5th Straight Win
November 16, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
PEORIA - The Peoria Rivermen jumped back into first place in the Southern Professional Hockey League by recording their fifth straight win, a 2-1 decision over the Columbus Cottonmouths on Sunday afternoon at Carver Arena.
The Rivermen struck first 5:50 into the second period when Kyle Fletcher stabbed home a loose puck at the doorstep on assists from Alec Hagaman and Garrett Vermeesch. Fletcher tallied again later in the period when he made a circuit of the zone with the puck and beat Cottonmouths goalie Andrew Loewen stick side with 5:40 remaining before the second intermission.
The Cottonmouths cut their deficit to 2-1 8:26 into the third period when Matt Gingera redirected a shot from the left point by Kyle Johnson. Columbus emptied their net for an extra attacker for the final 1:36, including a two-man advantage for the final seven seconds due to a Peoria penalty, but the Rivermen withstood a final flurry to preserve the win.
Kyle Rank took the win for the Rivermen (6-1-1) with 16 saves while Loewen suffered the loss despite 34 saves. Neither team scored on power plays with three chances given to Columbus and two to the Rivermen.
The Rivermen visit Knoxville Thursday and Friday at 6:35 p.m. Central followed by the season's only visit to Columbus, Ga. on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The Rivermen return home Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving week to host the Pensacola Ice Flyers in a match-up of the league's top teams.
Single game tickets for Peoria's 33rd season of professional hockey are on sale weekdays at the Peoria Civic Center. Season ticket packages and group ticket options for the 2014-15 campaign are on sale now through the Rivermen office, located at 201 S.W. Jefferson Street, or over the phone at (309) 676-1040. For the latest Rivermen news and notes, follow online at www.rivermen.net or through Facebook ( www.facebook.com/PeoriaRivermen) and Twitter ( https://twitter.com/Peoria_Rivermen).
SPHL Stories from November 16, 2014
- Rivermen Jump Back into SPHL Lead with 5th Straight Win - Peoria Rivermen
- IceGators Hand Pensacola First Loss of Season - Louisiana IceGators
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