Local News

Rivermen charge back at home to claim SPHL President’s Cup title

WCBU | By Joe Deacon

Published April 29, 2024 at 9:47 AM CDT

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The Peoria Rivermen won the SPHL championship for the second time in three years Sunday, claiming the President's Cup with a 5-1 victory over Huntsville in a decisive Game 3 at Carver Arena.

Peoria Rivermen / Rivermen.net

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Peoria Rivermen captain Alec Hagaman, left, celebrates with teammate Mitchell McPherson during the team's 6-4 win over Huntsville in Game 2 of the SPHL President's Cup Final on Saturday at Carver Arena. Hagaman scored three goals in Game 2 and two more in a 5-1 win in Game 3 as the Rivermen earned their second title in three years.

Peoria Rivermen / Facebook

The Peoria Rivermen are champions of The SPHL for the second time in three years.

The Rivermen captured the President’s Cup on Sunday with a 5-1 win over the Huntsville Havoc in a decisive Game 3 in front of a crowd of 5,902 fans at Carver Arena.

Captain and Peoria native Alec Hagaman joined Meirs Moore with two goals apiece, each with an empty net tally in the final minutes to seal the win. The retiring Hagaman also had one assist in his final game.

The victory capped a weekend home sweep as Peoria faced elimination after dropping Game 1 on Thursday in Alabama. The Rivermen notched a 6-4 win in Game 2 on Saturday, led by three goals from Hagaman.

The SPHL title comes two years after the Rivermen defeated Roanoke in the President’s Cup Final for the team’s fifth overall championship – and first won on home ice since Peoria won the IHL’s Kelly Cup in 2000.