As fans began to enter Carver Arena on Friday night, songs like “The Boys Are Back In Town” and the theme to “Welcome Back, Kotter” played on the PA system.
Following an extended absence of more than 19 months — nearly 600 days, in fact — was ending for the venue’s longtime professional hockey tenant.
Spectators young and old alike were among the crowd of 3,203 as the Peoria Rivermen opened their 40th anniversary season.
“This is great. It’s great for the community and everybody,” said 77-year-old Milo Meeks, who noted he’s been a Rivermen fan from the start — even though he only returned to Peoria two years ago after being away for 20 years. “We get to be out, see old friends and talk to them. We’re going to have a grand crowd here tonight.”
Six-year-old Julia Jarvis (“almost 7”) of Canton attended the game with her parents, Brien and Bryce, and was equally eager for the action to start.
“I think the puck’s going to go really high,” she said.
Brien Jarvis noted Julia was their reason for attending.
“She got us tickets for doing some of the reading program, so we were looking forward to come,” he said. “I've been around the game for a while, and this is something fun for our family, something local to come and watch.”
Bryce Jarvis said she and her daughter were looking forward to a new experience.
“My husband's been to hockey before, but this is me and Julia’s first hockey game ever. So we're here to learn and to have fun,” she said.
On the other side of the arena, the Reeff family had front-row seats, so 9-year-old Sydney and her 5-year-old brother Liam — who plays youth hockey — had a great view as the Rivermen scored three goals in the first 10 minutes of play.
“It's fun,” said Sydney, as she sat next to her brother and parents, Tamara and Cory, who have a special connection with the team
“Actually, our first date 17 years ago was a Rivermen game,” said Tamara Reeff.
The Rivermen were tied for first place in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) after their last home game in March of 2020. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the league canceled the rest of the season.
While the SPHL returned for a 2020-21 season, the Rivermen opted to sit out, determining there was no way forward financially because the team wouldn't be able to have fans in the building under Illinois’ pandemic mitigation orders.
“It was tough, it was tough. We love our guys,” Tamara Reeff said of the canceled Rivermen season.
“It was, just struggling with not being able to take the kids out to enjoy what they like to see and do,” added Cory Reeff. “So, it’s a good time to be able to come out here today and watch the game.”
Season ticket holder Mike Brown and his friend Scott Archer came in from Fairbury to see the Rivermen get back on the ice, agreeing the long layoff created a large void.
“It was really tough for me because it's a good sport. I enjoy hockey and I missed it for the last two years,” said Brown.
“I very much missed coming to the games, because it's a sport I love and this is the closest professional team,” added Archer.
Rivermen owner Bart Rogers said it was rewarding to see fans lining up outside Carver Arena, anxious to see the team’s return.
“They missed hockey, that's for sure,” he said. “A lot of them were eagerly here an hour beforehand waiting to get in and we're putting on a good show.”
Rogers said as difficult as it was to go dormant for an entire season, he's optimistic the hard work by the front office will lead to a strong rebound.
“It's been a long time coming. My staff’s worked their tails off to get to this point, and it's just a nice culmination to see all the fans here enjoying their time, even though they're wearing a mask,” he said. “Hopefully we can get through this pandemic and have a great rest of the season.”
In accordance with Gov. JB Pritzker’s orders, Carver Arena’s COVID-19 policy includes a mask requirement for anyone over age 2. Social distancing as much as possible also is recommended.
“I'm going to protect myself and my family is going to protect themselves, and I hope everybody protects themselves,” said Meeks. “If everybody does that, we're all good.”
Season ticket holder George Neavear of Pekin jubilantly exclaimed “hockey is back” as he walked along the concourse near the concession stand. Neavear, who also has season tickets for Peoria Chiefs baseball, said the Rivermen’s absence impacted the entire Peoria area.
“That hurt a lot, them not being around,” said Neavear. “Anytime they don't have the hockey here, it hurts the whole city as far as the revenue goes. Without anything going on at the Civic Center, the businesses around here hurt.”
Meeks said seeing hockey in person is much more enjoyable than watching on TV.
“When you come out here and actually hear the puck, and hear the players hollering back and forth to one another, it makes a big difference,” he said.
Coach Jean-Guy Trudel’s players rewarded the opening night fans with an impressive performance, following the three-goal first period with two more scores in the first 63 seconds of the second period on the way to a 6-0 win over the Macon Mayhem.
Newcomer Tanner Hildebrandt scored the first goal of the season and was initially credited with two goals and an assist before a scoring change on Monday afternoon awarded him a hat trick. Goalie Eric Levine made 35 saves in posting the shutout.
On Saturday, a crowd of 2,648 saw the Rivermen complete the weekend sweep with a 3-2 victory, as Alec Hagaman broke a tie with a game-winning tally midway through the third period.
“I think they’ll be good this year, I really do,” said Neavear. “I hope they wind up in first place.”
For Meeks, that would only be a step toward a bigger prize.
“We want to bring the (President’s) Cup (championship trophy) back to Peoria,” he said. “Let's see what we can do.”
The Rivermen look to make it three in a row on Saturday at Evansville. The next home game is Nov. 5 against the Quad City Storm.
