Rivermen Rookies Lead Peoria to 3-1 Victory and Semifinal Berth
April 11, 2025 - SPHL (SPHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
MOLINE, IL- On Friday night, the Peoria rookies led the way with both scoring and defense, as the Peoria Rivermen defeated the Quad City Storm 3-1 to sweep their first-round series two games to none at Vibrant Arena at the MARK.
The Rivermen and the Storm had a back-and-forth period as both teams wished to avoid a key mistake in the first period. The key moment came late in the first period as Peoria went on the power play. In the final minute of the first period, a scrum at the right-wing boards resulted in the puck being kicked out to Garrett Devine at the opposite circle. Devine held the puck for just a second before dishing it back across to a streaking Zach Purcell, who roofed a shot into the top shelf to give Peoria a 1-0 lead going into the second.
Quad City launched an offensive blitzkrieg in the second period, out-shooting the Rivermen in the middle period and laying siege with multiple power plays, including a five-on-three advantage. But the Rivermen held firm and gained momentum from their defensive stands. It turned into a difference on the scoreboard as Purcell picked off a pass from the near corner while the Storm were attempting to break out of their zone. Purcell, all alone in the slot, rifled a high-rising wrist shot into the top shelf for his second of the game to put the Rivermen in front 2-0.
The Storm got on the board in the first minute of the third period on a back-door tap-in to put them within one, and for the rest of the game, it was a back-and-forth slog befitting a close playoff contest. In the end, the Rivermen were faced with a six-on-four disadvantage after a goaltender interference call. Unlike Thursday night, where Quad City found a late equalizer, the Rivermen defense held firm and forced the Storm to constantly reset in the neutral zone. Devine was able to force a turnover in the waning seconds to bury an empty-net goal in the final minute to secure Peoria's two-games-to-none series victory.
Peoria will advance to the President's Cup semifinals for the fourth year in a row. Their opponent in the second round is still to be determined and will be announced later this weekend along with the schedule.
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