Huntsville Havoc Suffer Defeat in Game 2 – Championship to be Decided on Sunday
PEORIA, IL
After a stunning victory last Thursday at the Von Braun Center, the Huntsville Havoc had the golden opportunity to seal the President’s Cup on Saturday in Peoria, Illinois. Sadly, the team was unable to duplicate their previous performance, as they fell short in the first period.
Game 2 Full Summary
Despite a less-than-deal start, the Huntsville Havoc showed incredible tenacity, giving it their all till the final buzzer. The game kicked off with Matthew Rehding of Peoria’s Rivermen scoring a power play goal in just the fourth minute of the game, gaining the early advantage.
Peoria’s captain, Alec Hagaman, doubled the lead with a goal nine minutes later, followed swiftly by a third goal from Zach Wilkie. Attempting to reignite their spark, Huntsville’s Eric Henderson scored a spectacular goal with only four seconds left in the first period, reducing the lead to 3-1. However, less than a minute into the second period, Hagaman retaliated with another goal, putting Peoria comfortably ahead with a 4-1 lead.
A Sudden Rally
Not willing to bow out without a fight, the Havoc began to rally midway through the second period when Jack Januich added a crucial second goal to their score. Barely three minutes later, Cole Reginato added another, bringing Huntsville within one goal of their opponents. The first two quarters ended with Peoria leading 4-3.
Early in the final quarter, Peoria’s Alec Baer, who had a stellar performance throughout the game, scoring and assisting, added more trouble for Huntsville. However, undeterred by the increasing gap, Reginato put another one on the board for the Havoc, reducing the lead to 5-4 in Peoria’s favor.
Final Push Falls Short
In a desperate strategic move, the Havoc withdrew goalie Mike Robinson late into the game to benefit from an extra attacker. Sadly, the move backfired and resulted in two open net goals for Peoria. The game thus concluded in a 6-4 victory for Peoria’s Rivermen.
The current series stands at one win each for both Huntsville Havoc and Peoria’s Rivermen, with the championship now set to be decided in the upcoming game on Sunday in Peoria.
Upcoming Decider for SPHL Champion
The face-off on Sunday is a highly anticipated event in Peoria, with many fans making the long trip for the final game of SPHL Finals. Stay tuned to for a conclusive update on the ultimate 2023-2024 SPHL Champion, as we cover the conclusive Game 3 on Sunday.
