Rivermen Win Second Straight Season Opener
October 24, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
PEORIA - The Peoria Rivermen won their second straight season opener with a 3-1 decision over the visiting Huntsville Havoc on Friday night at Carver Arena.
The Rivermen opened the scoring just 3:03 into the game when Matt Summers took a back-door feed from Ben Warda with Shawn Skelly getting the second assist for the only first period scoring.
Peoria capitalized in the first minute of the second period when a centering pass from Jake Trask from behind the net went off the skate of Havoc defenseman Philip Wendecker and trickled into the Huntsville net just inside the right post. The Havoc quickly converted a power play with 3:53 left in the second period when Jordan Foreman tipped in a Brad Schuler shot from the right circle to cut the Rivermen lead to 2-1.
The Rivermen grabbed a 3-1 advantage 1:29 into the third period on a power play tally by Jordan Sims for his first professional goal by tapping a wobbling rebound into an open net on assists from Skelly and Mike MacIntyre. The Havoc emptied their net for an extra attacker on a power play for the final 1:49 but could not find the net as the Rivermen held onto the victory.
Eric Levine took the win in goal with 35 saves while Jesse Kallechy sustained the loss with 27 stops. The Rivermen were 1-for-5 on the power play while the Havoc were 1-for-8 with the man advantage.
The teams rematch on Saturday at 7:05 at Carver Arena as "Bruce Saurs Hockey Weekend in Peoria" continues with all tickets priced at $8, hot dogs and drafts $2 and magnetic schedules to the first 1,500 fans courtesy of Heritage Bank. Special Bruce Saurs commemorative jerseys worn by the Rivermen will be auctioned immediately following the game.
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 October 24, 2014
- Boyer Leads IceGators to Season-Opening Win - Louisiana IceGators
- Rivermen Win Second Straight Season Opener - Peoria Rivermen
- Knoxville Holds on for 5-4 Win against Columbus - Columbus Cottonmouths
- RiverKings Announce 2014-15 Captains - Mississippi RiverKings
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