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The Peoria Rivermen authored a playoff victory Thursday with what has been their signature style all season.
The No. 1 seed Rivermen dealt a defensive gem for a 2-0 victory over the Macon Mayhem in Game 1 of the SPHL first-round playoff series before 1,779 at Macon Coliseum.
The Rivermen set a league record with a 1.91 goals allowed per game defense during the 2025-26 season, and veteran goaltender Nick Latinovich helped them continue that trend with just the third playoff shutout by a Peoria goaltender in the franchise's SPHL era.
Veteran center Garrett Devine scored both goals for Peoria.
The Rivermen, however, left a lot of room on the table to play at a higher level, and they were not there yet on Thursday.
"I thought Tino (Latinovich) was outstanding," Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel said. "I thought 5-on-5 we didn't give much at all. But our penalty-kill was disorganized, and I think our best players were just average in this game.
"It's a long playoff, you hope the rest of the guys get engaged. Playoffs are for the big boys. We have six forwards who have to play better, lines that need to create more time in the offensive zone.
"Work through the battles, break the holds, the physical things and play like warriors. Fly after the puck. That's what we're looking for and we're not there yet, even though we had a good outcome."
Devine provided a 1-0 lead and the eventual game-winner when he deflected in a shot that originated from winger Mike Gelatt in the left circle, near the boards.
The puck was touched by Griffen Fox on the way to the net before Devine deflected it past goaltender Josh Boyko at 8:57 of the second period.
Devine made it 2-0 when he went to the right corner to track down a loose puck, turned, and fired it from deep in the corner at a sharp angle and it deflected in off Boyko at 17:41 of the second period.
More: How to watch, schedule and matchups for Peoria Rivermen in SPHL playoffs
The Rivermen had a chance to extend their lead with a five-on-three power play for 56 seconds in the third period, but could not muster an attack with that advantage.
They settled in to grind down the clock and hold No. 8 seed Macon off the board.
Latinovich is 9-3 all-time in playoff games for the Rivermen, with a 1.87 goals-against and .929 saves rate. ... The Rivermen posted their 10th shutout in 59 games during this regular season and postseason combined. ... Peoria and Macon did not play during the regular season. ... Macon was actually better on the road this season than at home, with a 13-11-5 mark away compared to 13-15-1 at home. ... History is tough on No. 1 seeds in the SPHL playoffs. Only six times in the 22-year history of the league has the No. 1-seeded playoff team gone on to win the championship. ... Evansville beat Pensacola, 4-1, in Game 1 of its series on Wednesday. ... Roanoke ripped Birmingham, 6-1, on the road in Game 1 of its series on Thursday. ... Huntsville and Knoxville open their series on Friday.
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star senior writer and 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 [email protected]. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: SPHL playoffs: Peoria Rivermen hockey wins opener at Macon Mayhem
Continue reading...
The No. 1 seed Rivermen dealt a defensive gem for a 2-0 victory over the Macon Mayhem in Game 1 of the SPHL first-round playoff series before 1,779 at Macon Coliseum.
The Rivermen set a league record with a 1.91 goals allowed per game defense during the 2025-26 season, and veteran goaltender Nick Latinovich helped them continue that trend with just the third playoff shutout by a Peoria goaltender in the franchise's SPHL era.
Veteran center Garrett Devine scored both goals for Peoria.
The Rivermen, however, left a lot of room on the table to play at a higher level, and they were not there yet on Thursday.
"I thought Tino (Latinovich) was outstanding," Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel said. "I thought 5-on-5 we didn't give much at all. But our penalty-kill was disorganized, and I think our best players were just average in this game.
"It's a long playoff, you hope the rest of the guys get engaged. Playoffs are for the big boys. We have six forwards who have to play better, lines that need to create more time in the offensive zone.
"Work through the battles, break the holds, the physical things and play like warriors. Fly after the puck. That's what we're looking for and we're not there yet, even though we had a good outcome."
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Devine provided a 1-0 lead and the eventual game-winner when he deflected in a shot that originated from winger Mike Gelatt in the left circle, near the boards.
The puck was touched by Griffen Fox on the way to the net before Devine deflected it past goaltender Josh Boyko at 8:57 of the second period.
Devine made it 2-0 when he went to the right corner to track down a loose puck, turned, and fired it from deep in the corner at a sharp angle and it deflected in off Boyko at 17:41 of the second period.
More: How to watch, schedule and matchups for Peoria Rivermen in SPHL playoffs
The Rivermen had a chance to extend their lead with a five-on-three power play for 56 seconds in the third period, but could not muster an attack with that advantage.
They settled in to grind down the clock and hold No. 8 seed Macon off the board.
River Readings
Latinovich is 9-3 all-time in playoff games for the Rivermen, with a 1.87 goals-against and .929 saves rate. ... The Rivermen posted their 10th shutout in 59 games during this regular season and postseason combined. ... Peoria and Macon did not play during the regular season. ... Macon was actually better on the road this season than at home, with a 13-11-5 mark away compared to 13-15-1 at home. ... History is tough on No. 1 seeds in the SPHL playoffs. Only six times in the 22-year history of the league has the No. 1-seeded playoff team gone on to win the championship. ... Evansville beat Pensacola, 4-1, in Game 1 of its series on Wednesday. ... Roanoke ripped Birmingham, 6-1, on the road in Game 1 of its series on Thursday. ... Huntsville and Knoxville open their series on Friday.
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star senior writer and 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 [email protected]. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: SPHL playoffs: Peoria Rivermen hockey wins opener at Macon Mayhem
Continue reading...
