On March 26, 2005, the Duffers made their 12 Peoria road trip!

A few of us went to see Donny get inducted into the Peoria Hall of Fame.

Go To Duffer Peoria History

Beer-nuts and Frank try to get Jason to play for the Duffers before the big game.

 Beer-nuts and Frank try to get Jame to be a trainer for Duffers. He has plans in Columbus next year.

We tried to tell Dan to relax because they couldn't lose when the Duffers were here.

 

The Duffer pre game routine includes food and beer at the river front.

 That says it all!

 We Win!

 Over 7000 fans went nuts!

The cup is ours!

  Thousands of fans lined the streets of downtown Peoria around noon on  Friday to honor their 2000 Kelly Cup Champion Peoria Rivermen. The parade ended at the Peoria Civic Center with a ceremeny witnessed by several hundred fans. Each member of the team said their respective thank yous and farewells culminating an exciting week in Peoria.
 Why would this season end any other way than with the Rivermen rallying to force overtime and then taking the Kelly Cup. Peoria trailed 2-1 entering the final period and tied the game on a JF Boutin goal just 24 seconds into the 3rd. The IceGators regained the lead just 2:27 later on a powerplay goal and not until just 2:55 remained and with the 7,524 fans standing did a Craig Anderson shot send the home crowd into a frenzy. Anderson's goal held and Peoria forced overtime. The overtime started with Peoria killing off the remaining 1:22 of an IceGator powerplay and followed that with a their own powerplay caused by a high sticking penalty to Matt Pagnutti at the 1:43 mark. It took the Rivermen only 13 seconds to make Louisiana pay for their mistake as Blaine Fitzpatrick netted the game winner and Peoria captured the series 4 games to 2. After losing the first two games at home the Rivermen went to Louisiana and halted the Ice Gator's 22-game home winning streak by taking all 3 at the Cajundome. This was followed by the first win by a home team in game 6 in front of the largest ECHL 2000 Kelly Cup playoff crowd (7,524) giving Peoria their 4th straight win. It was the second time  Louisiana made the finals and failed to win and it was Peoria's first ever Kelly Cup title. Jason Christie and J.F. Boutin were awarded as CO-MVP's of the playoffs.