Peoria, IL – – The Huntsville Havoc are the champions of the SPHL.
Always the bridesmaid and never the bride. For the third time in four years, the Peoria Rivermen are runners-up in the SPHL President’s Cup final. The Huntsville Havoc staged a dramatic comeback in Game One of this series. Peoria stole Game Two in Huntsville in a nail-biter before coming home and dropping a decisive Game Three by a score of 4-2 in front of a loud crowd of 3,106.
Missing after the first period of Game One: the outstanding Peoria forecheck that got it to the Finals.
Scott Trask lead the charge for Huntsville, spotting the Havoc two goals. The first came at 3:10 of the first period and the second on a power play at 5:19 of the second.
Peoria would not get on the board until almost 1 minutes into the second period just after a Huntsville penalty expired.
Stephen Hrehoriak would put the game out of reach at the end of the second period, padding the lead back to two goals.
Joe Kalisz would bring the Rivermen within one, but an empty net goal with under a minute left by Sy Nutkevitch sealed the Championship victory.
Keegan Asmundsen stopped 31 of 33 shots to celebrate with the bubbly. Tyler Parks saved 28 of 31 shots.
Huntsville scored once on three power plays. Peoria had four advantages but could not score.
NOTES: Cup MVP for the series was Sy Nutkevich…Of course, both teams finished the game with the best tradition in all of sports, the post-game handshake…several dozen Huntsville fans made the trek….Several dozen Peoria spectators respectfully watched the post-game trophy ceremonies as Huntsville players took turns skating with the puck…SPHL Commissioner Jim Coombs was getting the star treatment from fans before the game with requests for pictures….Peoria’s crowd of 3,106 played bigger with loud rambunctious cheering.
Contact the author at Shaun.Bill@ProHockeyNews.com or follow him on Twtter @SLBatPHN
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