The Peoria Rivermen’s 2018-2019 season has started off with a bang, and watching and covering them has been just as fun for us as it has for the players and fans.
The Rivermen came into the season with some new, fresh talent in addition to what they already had, and their fast start has excited both fans, players and coaches.
“This group just goes and goes,” Rivermen coach Jean-Guy Trudel said after a 6-1 victory over the Quad City Storm. “I love the energy this team brings.”
Rivermen defenseman Justin Greenberg also agrees that this year’s group is special ,and with the right focus, they could have a lot of success.
“We want to approach these games the same way every day, play the way we should. We have a lot of guys who could get two or three points a night here. Just a ton of firepower,” Greenberg said.
The Rivermen have started this year off hot, and formed a quick and cold rivalry with new SPHL team Quad City Storm. Just mere miles up Interstate 74, the “Cold War on 74” has gotten off to a fast start. The Rivermen own the rivalry right now however, owning a 4-1 record against the Storm, including a preseason tilt.
Victories over Evansville and Fayetteville have the Rivermen sitting pretty in the SPHL, but they will need to keep up the high energy and quickness if they want to compete for an SPHL title.
That energy can be centered around team captain, fan favorite and Peoria native Alec Hagaman.
Hagaman grew up in Peoria and followed the Rivermen from a young age. Now, as a captain, he not only captains the Rivermen, but hopes to lead them to big things in the SPHL.
“So many guys want to win a championship, but for me, it’s personal,” Hagaman said. “I want to bring a title to my city.”
With coach Tudel and Hagaman leading the way, this year’s Rivermen team has the opportunity to make some noise. And from my perspective, they will do just that.
From the drop of the puck to the final whistle, the Rivermen show unrelenting offense, tenacious defense and tremendous hustle. Crashing into boards, other players and flying around the ice at top speed have fans cheering and opponents scratching their heads.
The Rivermen have started the 2018-2019 campaign hot, but if they expect to succeed in the ever-tough SPHL, they cannot get too far ahead of themselves. Especially with more chippy matchups with the Storm on the schedule.
I am confident that Coach Trudel will keep his troops in line and working hard. And Hagaman’s dreams of bringing an SPHL title to Peoria may be closer than many people think.
Covering the Rivermen this season has been a treat with the early success the team has had. And with this team’s work ethic and excellent coaching, I have little doubt that the win column will continue to fill more and more and the horns and smoke to be plentiful at Carver Arena this season.