2021-22 SPHL Season Thread

[JMCx4]

I think that was the story behind the Chicago Hounds. Or the Chicago Express. One of the two was owned (and then folded!) by a lottery winner.

One and the same owner, Craig Drecktrah.

 

[JMCx4]

Weekend #1 in the books. One-shot deal, here are the highlights ...

• Marksmen Win Opener over Roanoke 4-1

• Ice Bears celebrate 20th anniversary with 3-1 win

• Havoc Score 7 to Open Season

• (Q-C Times) Penalties hurt Storm in season opener

• Ice Flyers Opening Night Ends In Overtime Win

• (EVV @ QCS Game #2?)

 

[JMCx4]

Week #1 player recognitions ...

 

[JMCx4]

From: Field Pass Hockey > SPHL

SPHL Tuesday Takeaways: Week #1

by Brad Harrison
October 19, 2021

MACON, Ga. – At long last, a mostly full schedule of hockey returned to the ice last weekend across the SPHL in arenas with fans eager to see on-ice action, some of which had not seen their team play in-person since the spring of 2020 prior to COVID-19.

As the first weekend of the season is in the books, here are five takeaways from across the SPHL. ...

Read the rest at: SPHL Tuesday Takeaways: Week #1 - Field Pass Hockey

 

[JMCx4]

The Mayhem can now add "First In Flight" to their team history, as recounted by Brad Harrison of Field Pass Hockey (with the assist to the venerable Dave Eminian of the PJ Star) ...

Macon’s great adventure

Due to the age of the players on the roster of the Macon Mayhem, many of them may not have seen the 1980s cult classic movie, “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” But Macon, which has its home opener on Friday against Fayetteville, can probably relate to the plight of Neal Page and Del Griffith, according to the Peoria Journal Star. ...

On the Wednesday prior to Friday’s game at Peoria, the Mayhem entered scramble mode as their bus company was unable to transport the Mayhem to Peoria, as it had no drivers available. After being unable to find a bus, Macon had to get special permission from the league to fly toward Peoria, where half the team flew to St. Louis via Baltimore and the other half to St. Louis via Dallas. After being picked up by the Rivermen’s bus at the airport, another hurdle awaited the Mayhem, as they needed to borrow Peoria’s skate sharpener. ...

 

[Roadhog]

The Mayhem can now add "First In Flight" to their team history, as recounted by Brad Harrison of Field Pass Hockey (with the assist to the venerable Dave Eminian of the PJ Star) ...

"Fly Southwest, we'll get you there. Eventually..."

 

[CrazyEddie20]

The Mayhem can now add "First In Flight" to their team history, as recounted by Brad Harrison of Field Pass Hockey (with the assist to the venerable Dave Eminian of the PJ Star) ...

There's some great analysis of the VC Bobcats in there - they're immediately competitive because they lost a one-goal game!

Gee, couldn't be because Chase Perry threw himself on the grenade, stopping 52-of-54, could it? Without Perry, they lose big. And if he keeps playing well, he'll be called up again and VC will show what it really has.

 

[JMCx4]

SPHL monthly standings check, for what they're worth this early in the 2021-22 season. More info HERE.

A few observations from this fan ...

1. No surprises from the team in 1st place & the team in 11th place.
2. An early 2nd place slot for Evansville is a happy surprise, though their record has been boosted by an early schedule including QC & VC - and Peoria, on an off night.
3. 3rd place is also unfamiliar territory for Quad City. They should petition the League for more games against the Bobcats.
   
4. Birmingham is building a pattern of 60 minute hockey. Might be good for staying in the regular season race-of-8, but not a good habit to take into the playoffs.
5. Defending champs Pensacola must be pacing themselves.
   
6. Macon is slow outta the gate, but there's a long way to skate before that matters.

 

[JMCx4]

From: Field Pass Hockey > SPHL

Record Start for Storm, Players Step Up

By Anna Headley
November 2, 2021

MOLINE, Ill. — The Quad City Storm are blazing up the standings, on the cusp of a record-setting start to the season.

With two weekend sweeps in a row under their belts, the northern-Illinois-based team now has a four-game winning streak and looks to make it five when they go on the road this coming weekend. Some personal history has been made with the sweep against the Vermilion County Bobcats, too, as Shane Bennett scored his first career hat trick. However, the Storm’s performance this weekend was a little less stellar than the four points would reflect. ...

Read more at: Record Start for Storm, Players Step Up - Field Pass Hockey

 

[JMCx4]

SPHL League Leaders as November play gets underway ...

 

[Af77]

SPHL League Leaders as November play gets underway ...

View attachment 476932

Its odd seeing MacBurnie that high up in GAA and he is currently without a team, hope some (not Peoria again) picks him up soon

 

[CrazyEddie20]

Macon has had one home game so far, where they drew just 1,400 fans.

They were supposed to go on the road to Pensacola this weekend, but they were swapped out as the road team by the league office.

Why would the league do this? Macon is probably in financial trouble. I'd bet they did not have enough cash on hand to make payroll AND go to Pensacola, so Huntsville will go instead.

The two home games this weekend will float them for a little while longer, but don't be surprised if there's a midseason fold.

 

[Atlantian]

Macon is in serious financial trouble. Allegedly the bank declined ownership a loan and they’re being supported by other teams in the league. They’re also having trouble even finding busses to take them on road trips due to a shortage of drivers. That’s why they had to fly to Peoria for the season opener. It’s not looking good right now for the Mayhem.

 

[jabberoski]

Macon has had one home game so far, where they drew just 1,400 fans.

They were supposed to go on the road to Pensacola this weekend, but they were swapped out as the road team by the league office.

Why would the league do this? Macon is probably in financial trouble. I'd bet they did not have enough cash on hand to make payroll AND go to Pensacola, so Huntsville will go instead.

The two home games this weekend will float them for a little while longer, but don't be surprised if there's a midseason fold.

Wait, they did this again??? This happened last weekend as well, when Macon was taken off a road trip to Roanoke 2 days ahead of time. Something doesn't smell right here.

https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/sphl-announces-roanoke-opponent-change/n-5761120

 

[CrazyEddie20]

Macon is in serious financial trouble. Allegedly the bank declined ownership a loan and they’re being supported by other teams in the league. They’re also having trouble even finding busses to take them on road trips due to a shortage of drivers. That’s why they had to fly to Peoria for the season opener. It’s not looking good right now for the Mayhem.

Macon to Peoria is a two-driver trip.

As I've said numerous times, a poorly capitalized team isn't going to last long. Say what you will about McBob being a bad operator, he had plenty of money to fund his "hobby."

So who folds first, Macon or Vermilion County?

 

[CrazyEddie20]

Macon with strong attendances of 1,400 and 1,120 for a 9-0 loss to Knoxville Saturday and a 3-1 loss to Fayettenam on Sunday.

I'm willing to bet the organization cleared less than $12,000 in revenue total from the two games.

They have a two-game roadie to Fayetteville coming up next weekend. They apparently weren't able to afford a bus the last two weekends and this week, they'll need a bus and at least 11 hotel rooms. Most teams I've worked for booked 13 at the minimum. Trainer gets his own room, coach gets his own room, equipment manager and broadcaster double up, players double up.

Will the Macon Financial Mayhem survive another week?

 

[JMCx4]

... They have a two-game roadie to Fayetteville coming up next weekend. They apparently weren't able to afford a bus the last two weekends and this week, they'll need a bus and at least 11 hotel rooms. Most teams I've worked for booked 13 at the minimum. Trainer gets his own room, coach gets his own room, equipment manager and broadcaster double up, players double up.

Will the Macon Financial Mayhem survive another week?

Wouldn't be unprecented in the League (rumor has long had it) for Fayetteville to foot the hotel bill for Macon to maintain the schedule. Then the Mayhem would just have to flag down a dozen or two friendly over-the-road truckers to get there & back. Logistics for the modern world.

 

[JMCx4]

On a slightly happier SPHL note ... Me 'n' Mrs. JMC attended the Evansville @ Quad City match on Saturday night. The Storm are playing with a team-wide edginess that clearly caught the Bolts off-guard & unable to counter. Reflection of the QCS coach, possibly amplified by the team's unfamilar 2nd place ranking. Don't know if Chezy & his boys can keep up this intensity of play, but it does seem to be stirring up pockets of long-buried emotion among the formerly rabid Quad Cities fanbase.

 

[CrazyEddie20]

Wouldn't be unprecented in the League (rumor has long had it) for Fayetteville to foot the hotel bill for Macon to maintain the schedule. Then the Mayhem would just have to flag down a dozen or two friendly over-the-road truckers to get there & back. Logistics for the modern world.

I mean, let's not forget that it was Fayetteville that traded a goalie to Peoria in exchange for the Rivermen covering the FireAint's hotel bill in River City. The goalie, of course, went on to be the league's goalie of the year, so I'll let the jury decide on who won that trade.

MacNaught was going to MacNaught.

 

[JMCx4]

From: Field Pass Hockey > SPHL > Birmingham Bulls

Bulls Facing Early Season Struggles

by James HayesNovember 22, 2021

Pelham, Ala.- After dropping their only game of the weekend 5-2 against the Quad City Storm, the Birmingham Bulls have found themselves with a 2-6-4 record that puts them in ninth place in the SPHL standings. The Bulls have faced some early-season struggles, and after week six in the league, we are starting to see a clear divide in the standings that features Birmingham on the outside looking in if the playoffs were to start today.

In-state rival the Huntsville Havoc has been finding ways to win and broke the Bulls record of most wins to start the season when they defeated the Peoria Rivermen 3-2 this past Saturday night in the shootout. The Quad City Storm have taken care of business, winning ten straight before finally falling to Pensacola Saturday night. Those are the teams at the top that the Bulls are looking up at in the standings. So what is it about this Bulls team this season that is causing them to struggle early on? ...

Read more at: Bulls Facing Early Season Struggles - Field Pass Hockey

 

[JMCx4]

SPHL Standings as the monthly calendar flips ...

And the League Leaders after 10 to 15 games played ...

 

[JMCx4]

Birmingham Bulls getting desperate to stay above Macon & Vermilion Co. in "The Race for Last Place" ...

Birmingham Bulls - 3 days ago (16 December 2021)
Birmingham Brings in Kevin Kerr as Associate Head Coach

By David Koonce | Birmingham Bulls


PELHAM, Ala - The Birmingham Bulls Ownership Group announced on Thursday that Kevin Kerr has been hired to Craig Simchuk’s coaching staff as an associate head coach.

Kerr’s SPHL coaching history began as Macon’s first head coach from 2015 to 2018 when he amassed a 94-56-18 record including a William B. Coffey Trophy and a President’s Cup in 2017.

Kerr rejoined the Mayhem last summer to lead the team during the abbreviated 2020-2021 season which ended with a 32-6-4 record en route to another William B. Coffey Trophy along with SPHL Coach of the Year honors. ...

Read more at: https://www.bullshockey.net/post/birmingham-brings-in-kevin-kerr-as-associate-head-coach

 

[GindyDraws]

So, uh, any news on Macon?

 

[JMCx4]

So, uh, any news on Macon?

The topic was raised on this Mayhem fan F/B page a few weeks back. Still all rumors & speculation.

 

[JMCx4]

From: TheSPHL.com > News

Peoria’s Alec Hagaman named Warrior Hockey Player of the Month

January 5, 2022

HUNTERSVILLE, NC (January 5, 2022) – The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) today announced that Alec Hagaman of the Peoria Rivermen has been named the Warrior Hockey/SPHL Player of the Month for December.

Hagaman recorded 15 points (three goals, 12 assists), including two power play goals and one game-winner, and was +11 in just eight games as the Rivermen went undefeated in regulation in December, posting a 6-0-2 record for the month. ...

Read more at: Peoria’s Alec Hagaman named Warrior Hockey Player of the Month

And a bonus feature article from tbe Peoria Journal Star ... How this Peoria-born Rivermen captain reacted to historic 300th point after big win