The Peoria Rivermen defeated the Knoxville Ice Bears 1-0 in Game 5 of the SPHL semifinals, securing their spot in the SPHL Finals. They will face the defending champion Evansville in a best-of-5 series starting Thursday.
Key points
Peoria Rivermen won 1-0 against Knoxville Ice Bears
Game was a winner-take-all Game 5
Rookie scored the game-winning goal
Veteran goaltending secured the shutout
Rivermen advance to face Evansville in SPHL Finals
Peoria RivermenKnoxville Ice BearsEvansvilleSPHL President's Cup Finals
PEORIA — The Peoria Rivermen have been there, done that, when it comes to the SPHL Finals, but they didn't let that experience or the Knoxville Ice Bears keep them from doing it again Sunday.
The Rivermen rode out a scoreless game, collected a game-winning goal from a rookie and magnificent goaltending from a veteran to beat Knoxville, 1-0, before 2,443 at Carver Arena in a winner-take-all Game 5 of the SPHL semifinals.
Peoria moves on to the SPHL President's Cup Finals against defending champion Evansville in a best-of-5 series that starts Thursday at Carver Arena.
"We came back for this," Rivermen captain Alec Baer said. "Every year, it's championship or bust for us, that's how we approach it. It's why every one of us is here."
Peoria’s Josh Martin (2), Cory Dennis (12) and the rest of the Rivermen show some love for goaltender Nick Latinovich after their 1-0 shutout of Knoxville in Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena.
Peoria’s Josh Martin (2), Cory Dennis (12) and the rest of the Rivermen show some love for goaltender Nick Latinovich after their 1-0 shutout of Knoxville in Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena.
Game 5 Sunday was 60 minutes of playing without any margin for error, and the No. 1 seeded Rivermen suffocated Knoxville with their league-record defense behind goaltender Nick Latinovich's third shutout in six postseason games.
He saved the game from going to overtime when, with 64 seconds left and Knoxville goaltender Stephen Mundinger out for an extra attacker, he made a highlight worthy save to rob Jason Brancheau from above the crease.
"The puck came bouncing out to him and I slid over as fast as I could and just stuck my left leg out," Latinovich said. "It went right into my pad. A 0-0 game, then a 1-0 game, I was just telling myself to take it five minutes at a time, break it up into little 5-minute games.
"At the end of the day, we've all played hockey our whole lives and we've all been in games like this. Our guys blocked shots, lifted sticks, made big plays and we got it done."
Q&A
How did the Peoria Rivermen win the SPHL semifinal against Knoxville?
The Rivermen won 1-0, thanks to a game-winning goal from a rookie and outstanding goaltending from a veteran.
Who will the Peoria Rivermen face in the SPHL Finals?
The Rivermen will face the defending champion Evansville in the SPHL President's Cup Finals.
What was the score of the Peoria Rivermen vs. Knoxville Ice Bears game?
The final score was 1-0 in favor of the Peoria Rivermen.
When does the SPHL Finals series start for the Peoria Rivermen?
The SPHL Finals series starts Thursday at Carver Arena.
Related Articles
MLB·Injury Update
Yankees’ big decisions on Giancarlo Stanton, Jasson Dominguez in
Yankees' Stanton heads to injured list; Dominguez called up.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Recap
Questionable pitching moves cost Pack9 series at Virginia Tech
NC State lost their ACC series against Virginia Tech, dropping two out of three games. Questionable pitching decisions and a weak non-conference schedule have severely impacted their NCAA Regional at-large hopes.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Josh Kattus, son of TE Eric, joins Bengals as undrafted free agent
Josh Kattus, son of Eric Kattus, signs with Bengals as undrafted free agent
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NBA·Recap
Celtics spoil Embiid’s return to action after appendectomy, beat 76ers to take 3-1 series lead
Celtics spoil Embiid’s return, beat 76ers 128-96 for 3-1 lead
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Ospreys' Morris bouncing back after toughest year
Ospreys' Morgan Morris looks forward to next season after injuries
BBC Sport··1 min read
NBA·Recap
Victor Wembanyama reveals what he thinks is the Spurs' greatest strength
Victor Wembanyama reveals the Spurs' greatest strength in playoffs
Peoria's JM Piotrowski, top left, and Michael McChesney celebate a goal against Knoxville by teammate Kullan Daikawa in the second period of Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen advanced to the final with a 1-0 shutout.
Peoria's JM Piotrowski, top left, and Michael McChesney celebate a goal against Knoxville by teammate Kullan Daikawa in the second period of Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen advanced to the final with a 1-0 shutout.
Kullan Daikawa joined the Peoria Rivermen with one game left in the regular-season, a recommendation of former Rivermen captain Alec Hagaman.
"I talked to Alec about him, watched film on him for about a month," Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel said. "I saw a young guy who liked physical play, had speed, and created opportunities. I felt like we could do something with him."
Two hours before his pro debut on the final day of the regular-season, Daikawa sat in Trudel's office, studying a dry erase board as the coach drew up a crash course in Peoria's system play.
Then he just went out and played.
And he teamed with veteran center JM Piotrowski and agitator winger-center Matt Wiesner on a line that has been a spark for Peoria throughout the playoffs.
Trudel put them together when the team needed a lift, and they have not disappointed, with Piotrowski notching four goals in the Knoxville series and Daikawa piling up a league-best seven assists.
With the game in a scoreless deadlock and 2:10 left in the second period, Daikawa came through with his first pro goal – which proved to be a game-winner in a playoff elimination game.
He walked up to the left faceoff circle dot and buried a shot through traffic as Piotrowski screened on the doorstep.
Piotrowski's size and presence caused Mundinger to shift toward the near post in an attempt to see around him.
It opened space on the far side of the net and Daikawa's shot zipped across the goalmouth and inside the right post.
"He's such a big goaltender, and I was trying to find an open spot," Daikawa said. "I took the shot, and I heard the pipe ring. I thought it ricocheted out, I thought, 'Oh no.' Then I looked up and saw it was in there and everyone was celebrating.
"I chose Peoria (after finishing his college career at Wisconsin-Stout) because I'd heard so much about (Trudel) and about this team, and I wanted to be part of it. Today, I just wanted to enjoy the moment."
Take your best shot
Peoria defenseman Jordan Ernst (11) throws Knoxville's Lucas Helland over the boards into the Rivermen bench in the second period of Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 1-0 shutout.
Peoria defenseman Jordan Ernst (11) throws Knoxville's Lucas Helland over the boards into the Rivermen bench in the second period of Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 1-0 shutout.
It was a big game filled with big chances.
The Rivermen had a glorious chance to strike 2:30 after the opening faceoff when SPHL goalscoring champion Mike McChesney had an open net from between the circles – Mundinger was not in the same zip code – but Knoxville defenseman Carson Vance blocked the shot.
Peoria earned a power play at 7:16 of the first and it was two minutes of mayhem in the Knoxville zone. The Rivermen delivered six shots, a couple of which Mundinger didn't even see, but could not get one to go.
A minute after that advantage ended, the Rivermen took the puck away from Mundinger as he tried to play it behind the net.
With the net empty, the puck came out into the slot where Wiesner fired it at the net. But Mundinger had raced around the back of the net and dove head-first from the right post across the goalmouth to block the shot at 10:18.
The Rivermen had a 16-5 shots advantage at that point but could not break the scoreless tie, and Knoxville reached intermission still alive.
The Rivermen continued attacking, and Piotrowski beat Mundinger on the fly from the inside edge of the right circle two minutes into the second period, but his shot went to the top of the left corner, hit the crossbar, and stayed out.
The play underwent video review at the next stoppage 65 seconds later. It was the first video goal review ever at Carver Arena and upheld the initial no-goal ruling.
Knoxville desperately pressed in the third period, and pulled Mundinger for an extra attacker with 87 seconds left but could not beat Peoria's defense.
Celebrate in the room
Peoria Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel gives a thumbs-up to the crowd after his team’s 1-0 shutout of Knoxville in Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena.
Peoria Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel gives a thumbs-up to the crowd after his team’s 1-0 shutout of Knoxville in Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena.
The Rivermen celebrated postgame with their ceremonial dog mask, handed out to a player after each game, which also requires the recipient to put it on and bark.
They added another picture to their playoff paddlewheel, where a player chosen by the team gets to add a personal photo to answer the question, "Why are you playing?"
Next stop is the SPHL President's Cup Finals, where Peoria will appear for the sixth time in 10 years.
"Our leaders have taken over this team, they've got everyone involved and invested and it's been amazing to see," Trudel said. "Our defense was lights out terrific today. Our energy level, our determination, it was all there.
"I'm so happy with the way it all worked out."
Peoria's JM Piotrowski, top left, and Michael McChesney celebate a goal against Knoxville by teammate Kullan Daikawa in the second period of Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen advanced to the final with a 1-0 shutout.
Peoria goaltender Nick Latinovich stretches out for save against Knoxville's Blake Tosto in the second period of Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 1-0 shutout.
Knoxville’s Tim Kent falls to the ice underneath Peoria’s JM Piotrowski in the first period of Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 1-0 shutout.
Peoria's Alec Baer charges the net on Knoxville's Billy Roche and goaltender Stephen Mundinger in the first period of Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup playoffs Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 1-0 shutout.
Peoria’s Connor Szmul (28) tries to stuff the puck in the net past Knoxville goaltender Stephen Mundinger and Carson Vance in the first period of Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 1-0 shutout.
1 / 5
Rivermen shut out Knoxville for berth in the SPHL finals
Peoria's JM Piotrowski, top left, and Michael McChesney celebate a goal against Knoxville by teammate Kullan Daikawa in the second period of Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen advanced to the final with a 1-0 shutout.
1 / 5
Rivermen shut out Knoxville for berth in the SPHL finals
Peoria's JM Piotrowski, top left, and Michael McChesney celebate a goal against Knoxville by teammate Kullan Daikawa in the second period of Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen advanced to the final with a 1-0 shutout.
2 / 5
Rivermen shut out Knoxville for berth in the SPHL finals
Peoria goaltender Nick Latinovich stretches out for save against Knoxville's Blake Tosto in the second period of Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 1-0 shutout.
3 / 5
Rivermen shut out Knoxville for berth in the SPHL finals
Knoxville’s Tim Kent falls to the ice underneath Peoria’s JM Piotrowski in the first period of Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 1-0 shutout.
4 / 5
Rivermen shut out Knoxville for berth in the SPHL finals
Peoria's Alec Baer charges the net on Knoxville's Billy Roche and goaltender Stephen Mundinger in the first period of Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup playoffs Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 1-0 shutout.
5 / 5
Rivermen shut out Knoxville for berth in the SPHL finals
Peoria’s Connor Szmul (28) tries to stuff the puck in the net past Knoxville goaltender Stephen Mundinger and Carson Vance in the first period of Game 5 of the SPHL President's Cup semifinals Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 1-0 shutout.
River Readings
Latinovich now is 5-1 in the postseason with a 1.01 goals-against, a .960 saves rate and three shutouts. … Latinovich, who led Peoria to the 2023-24 President's Cup championship, has not allowed a goal in the last 138 minutes, 49 seconds over parts of three games. … Rivermen winger Jordan Ernst had a game-high 9 shots on goal. … The Rivermen are allowing 1.57 goals per game. … Peoria's penalty-kill has erased 27 of 28 chances in the postseason (96.4%).
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 deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
