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Here are 4 key players who could keep the Peoria Rivermen among hockey's elite

dave eminian, journal star
·8 min read
Peoria Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel works his bench during a 5-1 win over Quad City in an SPHL game at Carver Arena on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022.
Peoria Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel works his bench during a 5-1 win over Quad City in an SPHL game at Carver Arena on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022.

PEORIA — The Peoria Rivermen come off Christmas break Tuesday sitting in first place in the Southern Professional Hockey League with one of the highest pointsmaking percentages in pro hockey.

What will they need to do to stay there, and who do they need to do it?

The defending SPHL champions are on a 14-1-2 run and have not been beaten in regulation for 13 straight games, going back to Nov. 5.

"This is where we have to put the most work in," said Rivermen coach Jean-Guy Trudel on Monday, on the eve of practices resuming. "In pro hockey, getting a buy-in is what we need. Over the years we've had some seasons like this where statistically we're doing really well in games, but then we got into the playoffs and found out we were not prepared to grind games down, backcheck, block shots and all details that make you a champion.

"Now is when we have to get into the best shape physically, and mentally."

More:Why the Peoria Rivermen played a game in front of 7,000 screaming schoolkids

With that in mind, here are four players will be the key to the Rivermen in the second half, and why:

• Veteran goaltender Eric Levine: "He is a big part of what we do and he wants to be here. Levy has to be the Levy we know, get back to .930 per game and stop those first shots.

"Part of it is the team is so good in front of them that our goaltenders are going through 10-11 minutes at a time without seeing a shot. Then a great shot turns up and it goes in.

"Eric going to be a key. One of our goalies has to step up and dominate games no matter the situation.

Rivermen defenseman Zach Wilkie lets out a war whoop and charges full speed off the ice and down the tunnel before a game against Huntsville at Carver Arena on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022.
Rivermen defenseman Zach Wilkie lets out a war whoop and charges full speed off the ice and down the tunnel before a game against Huntsville at Carver Arena on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022.

• Captain Alec Hagaman: "Our captain has to be our best player every night. When Alec Hagaman is dialed in the whole team is dialed in. It's a palpable difference, you can see it and feel it. He has to bring his best game."

• Defensemen Nick Neville and Zach Wilkie: "Nick and Zach need to continue producing like they are when they are on the power play, league elite level production. And playing 26 minutes per game at a high level. Every night, one of those guys has to come through."

More:SPHL standings

Does anyone have a canoe?

The Rivermen came back from Christmas break to discover a water pipe apparently burst in their locker room and flooded the entire locker room complex, with 2-4 inches of standing water.

"Everything has to be cleared out and cleaned.," Trudel said. "We expect to be out of the locker room for at least a month while the Civic Center fixes it."

The room was fine until some time after the Bradley men's basketball game was played on Thursday.

The visiting locker room also suffered water damage. The plan is to move the Rivermen down to a locker room near the corner of the tunnel, roughly behind Sect. 117. The visiting team will have to be moved further down the tunnel as well. It's unknown if, or how, the teams will be separated by a partition, as is customary on game nights.

"It's going to be like playing on the road when we're at home," Trudel said. "Adversity. It is what it is."

Peoria goaltender Eric Levine stops a Quad City shot in the third period Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022 at Carver Arena.
Peoria goaltender Eric Levine stops a Quad City shot in the third period Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022 at Carver Arena.

Rising in history

Rivermen veteran goaltender Eric Levine has tacked on six wins to his resume with the franchise in the front half of the 2022-23 season. His next win will tie him for second all-time on the goaltender victory list for the 41-year Peoria franchise. Levine has 84 wins in his Peoria career, with Geoff Sarjeant, from the Rivermen IHL era, just ahead at 85.

Here are the top four in Rivermen history:

  • Darrell May (IHL) 113.

  • Geoff Sarjeant (IHL) 85.

  • Eric Levine (SPHL) 84.

  • Ben Bishop (AHL) 81.

Baer is best bar none

Rivermen center Alec Baer was named SPHL Player of the Week last week as the Christmas break arrived. In two games, he had four goals and three assists, including a hat trick.

He remains a top candidate for December Player of the Month honors. He has eight goals plus seven assists and a plus-6 rating in seven games so far this month.

New Year's Eve is next

The Rivermen will host Evansville on Dec. 30 in Carver Arena, a 7:15 p.m. start. Then Peoria will head to Evansville for a New Year's Eve tilt in Ford Center.

The Rivermen are 18-14-2 all-time on New Year's Eve, and the splits are 8-3-2 at home and 10-11-0 on the road.

Here's a look at those games, from the franchise's era in the International Hockey League, ECHL, American Hockey League and Southern Professional Hockey League:

Peoria's Nick Neville, left, and Quad City's Michael Moran try to control an airborne puck in the second period of their SPHL playoff game Friday, April 22, 2022 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
Peoria's Nick Neville, left, and Quad City's Michael Moran try to control an airborne puck in the second period of their SPHL playoff game Friday, April 22, 2022 at Carver Arena in Peoria.

SPHL

  • 2021-22: Rivermen 4, at Evansville 1

  • 2020-21: No game

  • 2019-20: Rivermen 2, at Quad City 5

  • 2018-19: Rivermen 1, at Quad City 4

  • 2017-18: Rivermen 5, at Evansville 2

  • 2016-17: Rivermen 2, Mississippi RiverKings 3 (SO)

  • 2015-16: No game

  • 2014-15: No game

  • 2013-14: Rivermen 0, at Bloomington Thunder 2

AHL

  • 2012-13: Rivermen 2, Abbotsford Heat 1 (SO)

  • 2011-12: Rivermen 3, Rockford IceHogs 2

  • 2010-11: Rivermen 3, Milwaukee Admirals 1

  • 2009-10: Rivermen 1, Chicago Wolves 4

  • 2008-09: Rivermen 1, Milwaukee Admirals 3

  • 2007-08: No game

  • 2006-07: Rivermen 3, Hamilton Bulldogs 2

  • 2005-06: Rivermen 3, Hamilton Bulldogs 1

ECHL

  • 2004-05: Rivermen 5, at Idaho Steelheads 2

  • 2003-04: Rivermen 2, Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies 3 (SO)

  • 2002-03: Rivermen 2, Dayton Bombers 0

  • 2001-02: Rivermen 4, Cincinnati Cyclones 1

  • 2000-01: Rivermen 6, Toledo Storm 4

  • 1999-00: Rivermen 2, at Toledo Storm 1

  • 1998-99: Rivermen 6, at Toledo Storm 3

  • 1997-98: Rivermen 3, at Johnstown Chiefs 6

  • 1996-97: Rivermen 3, at Johnstown Chiefs 5

IHL

  • 1995-96: No game

  • 1994-95: Rivermen 3, at Kansas City Blades 2

  • 1993-94: Rivermen 1, at Fort Wayne Komets 9

  • 1992-93: Rivermen 6, at Kansas City Blades 3

  • 1991-92: Rivermen 2, at Fort Wayne Komets 5

  • 1990-91: Rivermen 2, at Indianpolis Ice 4

  • 1989-90: Rivermen 6, at Milwaukee Admirals 3 (Green Bay)

  • 1988-89: Rivermen 4, Milwaukee Admirals 7

  • 1987-88: Rivermen 0, at Saginaw Hawks 1

  • 1986-87: Rivermen 4, at Salt Lake City 3

  • 1985-86: No game

  • 1984-85: Rivermen 2, at Fort Wayne Komets 3

  • 1983-84: Prancers 8, at Muskegon Lumberjacks 5

  • 1982-83: Prancers 2, at Fort Wayne Komets 12

Sources: IHL, AHL, ECHL, SPHL, Journal Star archives, Dave Eminian archives.

Going up?

Rivermen players were trickling back into town on Monday ahead of Tuesday's first post-Christmas practice.

Call-ups to the ECHL will eventually happen with this first-place team, but right now it is a roster that wants to stick together.

"We have a great core that wants to stay here the whole year," Trudel said. "It makes it a lot better for us. We have a great base of players. We have three to four top defensemen and five or six forwards who are here for the year and they are all pretty damn good.

"It brings a lot of peace to a coach. It's rewarding to see guys who want to stay.

"Alec Baer declined a call-up to (ECHL) Iowa, started driving there and turned around and came back. Zach Wilkie came down and said 'I want to be here for sure.' (Captain) Alec Hagaman has declined so many teams that want him in the ECHL. Jordan Ernst's brother is expecting a baby soon, and Jordan wants to be close to Chicago, be around for that."

River Readings

The Rivermen come off Christmas break on a 14-1-2 run and are being chased by Roanoke, last spring's President's Cup Finals opponent. The Dawgs under coach Dan Bremner, the former Rivermen captain, have won eight straight. … The Rivermen .789 pointsmaking percentage is fourth among the 113 pro teams in North America, from the NHL down through the class-AAA AHL, class-AA ECHL, high-A SPHL and low-A FPHL. Those leaders include: Idaho (ECHL) 22-3-1, .865; Columbus, Ga. (FPHL) 18-2-1, .841; Danbury (FPHL) 17-1-2, .800, and Peoria (SPHL) 14-3-2, .789. … The Rivermen put winger Mitch McPherson on 21-day IR on Monday, retroactive to a concussion he suffered last week. He can return after Jan. 10. ... Former Rivermen defenseman Lordanthony Grissom has 1 goal, 1 assist and a -6 rating in 24 games at ECHL Allen. … Ex-Rivermen center Joe Widmar has 5 goals, 7 assists and a -21 rating in 26 games with Allen. … Rivermen rookie winger Tyler Barrow has 10 goals in 17 games, and is on pace for 31. That's just two goals shy of teammate Marcel Godbout's 33 last season, which was good for SPHL Rookie of the Year honors. … Alec Hagaman was ejected for a major spearing by referee Don Mrozik in a game last week. The alleged infraction was not on tape, and none of the three officials on the ice appeared to be looking at Hagaman in an area where it could have happened. The penalty was added during the intermission. The league issued no suspension to Hagaman afterward. My own suspicion here is that Mrozik either watched a replay (illegal) or fell for a version being sold to him by a non-official. We've seen enough of him in Peoria games.

Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @icetimecleve.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria Rivermen hockey: Key players, Christmas break analysis