Kristian Stead, Thunderbolts Shut Out Rivermen 2-0

Evansville, In.:  In a defensive effort that resembled Evansville’s defensive performance in last year’s playoffs, the Thunderbolts shut down and shut out the Rivermen 2-0 on Wednesday night at Ford Center, ending Peoria’s win streak at 12 games.  The Thunderbolts’ next home game at Ford Center will be on Friday, February 13th against the Huntsville Havoc at 7:00pm CT.

The first period was low event, with Evansville killing off the only Rivermen power play and outshooting Peoria 12-9.  Early in the second period at 3:28, Evansville struck first as Evan Miller banked a shot off an off-balance Nick Latinovich and into the net, assisted by Matt Clark and Keanan Stewart to give Evansville the opening lead.  In the third period, Evansville again shut down nearly every Peoria attack, holding Peoria to only 6 shots on goal in the final frame.  As the Rivermen pulled Latinovich late for an extra attacker, the Thunderbolts were rewarded with exactly a minute to go as Derek Contessa scored into an empty Rivermen net to extend Evansville’s lead to 2-0, with Scott Kirton picking up an assist.

Miller scored the winning goal, with Contessa adding an empty net goal.  In goal, Kristian Stead stopped all 22 shots on goal for his 16th win of the season and 8th career shutout, his first as a Thunderbolt and Evansville’s second shutout of the season.  The Thunderbolts and Rivermen meet once again on Friday, February 20th at the Peoria Civic Center, with the regular season series tied 4-4.

Season tickets, Individual game tickets and group packages are on sale for the 2025-26 season.  Call 812-422-BOLT(2658) or visit our website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.com) for details.

About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team. The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the SPHL.  The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com

Thunderbolts Forced to Settle for Weekend Split at Birmingham

Pelham, Ala.:  Following the 3-1 victory on Friday, the Thunderbolts scored the game’s first goal but came up short as the Bulls came back to defeat Evansville 3-2 on Saturday night in Pelham.  The Thunderbolts’ next home game at Ford Center will be on Wednesday, February 4th against the Peoria Rivermen at 7:00pm CT.

Following a big penalty kill late in the first period, Evansville grabbed a 1-0 lead with 58 seconds remaining as Will van der Veen scored from Keanan Stewart and Evan Miller.  An early second period penalty proved costly for the Thunderbolts, as CJ Walker scored at 1:32 to tie the game, and Walker scored once again at 4:03 to put the Bulls ahead 2-1.  In the third period, Evansville gained a late power play advantage and pulled Kristian Stead for a 6-on-4 advantage, but MacGregor Sinclair managed to score into the empty net to put the game out of reach at 3-1 with 47 seconds remaining.  Adding insult to injury, Evansville scored in the very final second of the game on the same power play, scored by Evan Miller and assisted by Joey Berkopec and Derek Contessa to bring the final score to 3-2.

Miller led the way with a goal and assist, and Van der Veen added one goal.  In goal, Kristian Stead stopped 32 of 34 shots on goal, keeping Evansville in the game all the way to the finish.  The Thunderbolts and Bulls meet for the final time this regular season on Thursday, February 26th at Pelham Civic Complex, with the Bulls leading the regular season series 4-3.

Season tickets, Individual game tickets and group packages are on sale for the 2025-26 season.  Call 812-422-BOLT(2658) or visit our website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.com) for details.

About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team. The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the SPHL.  The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com

Clutch Goals, Sound Defense Lead Thunderbolts Over Bulls

Pelham, Ala.:  With a goal in each period and excellent interior defense, the Thunderbolts put together a well-rounded, detail-oriented effort in their 3-1 victory over the Birmingham Bulls in Pelham on Friday night.  The Thunderbolts’ next home game at Ford Center will be on Wednesday, February 4th against the Peoria Rivermen at 7:00pm CT.

Evansville grabbed the opening lead 17:45 into the first period, as Keanan Stewart scored with a mid-range shot off a low-to-high setup that went in off the crossbar, assisted by Evan Miller and Max Thiessen.  3:20 into the second period, Isaac Chapman scored to double Evansville’s lead to 2-0 with a shot from the top of the near circle that beat Hayden Stewart clean through traffic, the goal unassisted.  The Thunderbolts further extended the lead to 3-0 midway through the 3rd period as Miller scored on a breakaway from Cameron MacPhee at 9:00. Birmingham did manage to break Evansville’s shutout bid with 3:29 remaining, as Kyren Gronick scored a power play goal for the Bulls to make it a 3-1 game, the only blemish in Evansville’s victory.

Miller led the way with a goal and assist, and Chapman along with Stewart added one goal each.  In goal, Kristian Stead stopped 25 of 26 shots on goal for his 15th win of the season.  The Thunderbolts and Bulls meet again on Saturday, January 31st at Pelham Civic Complex, with the regular season series tied 3-3.

Season tickets, Individual game tickets and group packages are on sale for the 2025-26 season.  Call 812-422-BOLT(2658) or visit our website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.com) for details.

About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team. The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the SPHL.  The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com

Thunderbolts Announce New Star Wars Night Addition

Evansville, In.: Due to the winter storm that has recently hit Evansville, the Thunderbolts are happy to announce a new Star Wars Night that will be added to the Friday, February 27 game against the Quad City Storm. Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm CST. Doors open to the general public at 6:15 pm CST. 

This Star Wars Night will be hosted alongside our $3 Tall Boys, Union Night, and College Night that is being held at the Ford Center on Friday, February 27. Star Wars characters are set to join us once again and will be walking around the concourse/lobby for pictures! There will be NO specialty jersey for this night. Enjoy $3 Tall Boys (specifically Bud Light, Budweiser, Busch Light, and Michelob Ultra) all night long as well. Bring a group of 10 or more and receive a discounted rate when you call our ticket office at 812-422-BOLT (2658).

Season tickets, Individual game tickets and group packages are on sale for the 2025-26 season.  Call 812-422-BOLT(2658) or visit our website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.com) for details.

About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team. The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the SPHL.  The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com

Thunderbolts Come Up Just Short in Peoria in 3-1 Loss

Peoria, Ill.:  A tough weekend for the Thunderbolts came to a close on Sunday afternoon in Peoria, as the Thunderbolts finished strong but came up short in a 3-1 defeat to the Rivermen.  The Thunderbolts’ next home game at Ford Center will be on Wednesday, February 4th against the Peoria Rivermen at 7:00pm CT.

Evansville outshot the Rivermen 12-10 in the first period but quickly fell behind 3-0 in the period’s second half, with Rivermen goals by Brandon Stojcevski at 11:44, Michael McChesney on a power play at 15:35, and Connor Szmul at 18:38.  The Thunderbolts successfully stopped the bleeding after the first period, holding the Rivermen scoreless in the second period.  Evansville’s best hockey came in the third period much like it did against Quad City on Saturday, outshooting Peoria 9-3 in the final frame and refusing to roll over, while spoiling Peoria’s shutout bid with 6:03 remaining with a power play goal by Keanan Stewart, assisted by Matt Clark and Matt Hobbs.

Stewart scored Evansville’s goal, while Cody Karpinski stopped 20 of 23 shots on goal.  The Thunderbolts and Rivermen meet again on Wednesday, February 4th at Ford Center, with Peoria leading the regular season series 4-3.

Season tickets, Individual game tickets and group packages are on sale for the 2025-26 season.  Call 812-422-BOLT(2658) or visit our website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.com) for details.

About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team. The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the SPHL.  The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com