The Rivermen look to repeat as SPHL champions
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The Peoria Rivermen will begin the SPHL playoffs Thursday night as they prepare to defend their President's Cup trophy against the rest of the league.
They boast the league's leading goal scorer in Jordan Ernst, who loves the team's depth.
'You can go up and down the line up too. There's guys that will step up and you can rely on in different types of scenarios throughout the game,' he said.
They also have the top goalie in the league in Colby Muise, who feels more relaxed with the league's highest scoring offense in front of him.
'Once we get a lead, you get to have a bit more fun and you're not gripping your stick as much. It's a little more loosey-goosey. If we're at our best, I think we'll have no problem,' he said.
The biggest question mark for the team is the injuries to defenseman Zack Wilkie and center Michael McChesney.
Captain Alec Baer said others will have to step up in their absence.
'I think we have a lot of guys that aren't going to be nervous out there and the end of the day, it's just hockey. You know what I mean? We've been doing it the whole season. Go out there, have a ton of fun, and just play as hard you can,' he said.
Head Coach Jean-Guy Trudel is excited for the playoffs.
'I've never had this young of a team, with a lot of first-year players. So, it's going to be a great challenge. We wrote a lot of stories in our life. Now we got to write a new one,' he said.
They begin their quest for a repeat, and third title in four years, on Thursday against the Quad City Storm.
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