QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. – With nine games to go until the end of regular season before their game against the Iowa Chops on March 24, Peoria was in fourth place in the Western Division with 76 points trailing by three behind Houston at 79 in second place but the Aeros had played only 69 games meaning they have two games in hand. As you can see nothing is settled for the Rivermen’s head coach Davis Payne team but he seemed pretty confident his team will take part of the spring dance.
” At this time of the year second and third effort determination is very important. You know you hope to get one chance at a play but getting second and third efforts whether it’s for getting the puck out whether it’s passing or whether driving to the net. The second and third effort make the difference in this time of the year,” said Payne.
“The team that plays most determined has the most success. Everybody played each other 79 times at this time of the year we know each other; we know what’s coming. You have few surprises; game plans won’t change a heck of a lot just minor tweaking on special teams obviously hopes to carry to good success. You know you’ve got to make second and third efforts from your players to make the play. If you need to make it two or three times, you make it two or three times,” continued Payne.
The Rivermen’s coach seemed pretty happy with his team’s effort and the level of the players’ concentration to the game. Even though nothing is cut in stone for his team as far as a place in the upcoming playoffs are concerned.
“I think we did a pretty good job in the last month or so,” said Payne about his team not taking stupid penalties. “Seven or eight weeks ago it was an issue but I think we did a much better job with it now. You have to take a hit and not retaliate. Retaliation means they have a power play or we have it you got to take it for the team.”
Peoria has good penalty killing unit but needs to work to get goals on their power play because they don’t have a pure goal scorer. “Penalty killing is pretty good. But we aren’t a power play skill group, we need to work hard to get our opportunity and make sure to keep things going to the net to get our second chances,” said Payne.
It will be interesting to see if Peoria will be able to keep working hard and stay in the playoff race until the end.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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