Hockey >> Minor League Hockey

SPHL expanding to Athens, GA, for 2026-2027 season

May 13, 2026 - HUNTERSVILLE, NC - The SPHL today announced that it will be expanding to Athens, GA, following approval of an expansion application by the league's Board of Governors. The team is owned and operated by Spire Hockey, led by President Todd Mackin and Athens Rock Lobsters President Scott Hull, and will play in the upcoming 2026-27 SPHL season. "On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am excited to welcome Athens to the SPHL,” said Commissioner Doug Price. "From their first season, the Rock Lobsters have demons... Full Story

Athens Rock Lobsters Officially Announce Move to the SPHL Beginning in 2026-27

May 13, 2026 - ATHENS, GA - The Athens Rock Lobsters today announced a historic milestone in the franchise's young but rapidly growing history, confirming that the organization will officially transition to the SPHL beginning with the 2026-27 season. The team will continue to call Akins Ford Arena home, maintaining the downtown venue that has quickly become one of the most vibrant and electric environments for professional hockey in Northeast Georgia. The move from the FPHL to the SPHL marks a significant step forward for the Athens org... Full Story

Thunderbolts Defeat Rivermen in Five Games, Successfully Repeat as SPHL Champions

May 10, 2026 - Peoria, IL: Rallying from 2-0 down in the best-of-five series, the Thunderbolts completed the historic comeback with a 6-4 game five victory in Peoria on Saturday night, becoming the fourth team in SPHL history to win back-to-back President's Cup titles. It was Peoria who struck first, with Alec Baer scoring at 7:01 to give the Rivermen a 1-0 lead. Only 39 seconds later, Evansville struck back as a dump-in bounced off Rivermen goaltender Nick Latinovich, the fumble tapped in by Isaac Chapman at 7:40 to tie the game 1-1, a... Full Story

Thunderbolts Defeat Rivermen 3-1, Force Game Five in Peoria

May 8, 2026 - Evansville, In.: The Thunderbolts capped off their home ice supremacy in the postseason with a 3-1 victory over the Rivermen on Thursday night at Ford Center, finishing 6-0 at home in these playoffs, and now it will come down to a winner-take-all game five in Peoria on Saturday to determine this year's President's Cup champion. In a low-shot first period in which Evansville only had four shots on goal while allowing five, the Thunderbolts managed to strike first at 9:17 as Derek Contessa was set up at the net-front from S... Full Story

• SPHL expanding to Athens, GA, for 2026-2027 season - (May 13)
  
• Athens Rock Lobsters Officially Announce Move to the SPHL Beginning in 2026-27 - Athens Rock Lobsters (May 13)
  
• Thunderbolts Defeat Rivermen in Five Games, Successfully Repeat as SPHL Champions - Evansville Thunderbolts (May 10)
  
• Peoria's Season Ends in 6-4 Loss to Evansville for President's Cup Crown - Peoria Rivermen (May 9)
  
• Thunderbolts Defeat Rivermen 3-1, Force Game Five in Peoria - Evansville Thunderbolts (May 8)
  
• Rivermen Fall 3-1 in Evansville - Sets up Decisive Game Five in Peoria - Peoria Rivermen (May 8)
  
• Quad City Storm Partner with Quad City Ice Eagles - Quad City Storm (May 7)
  
• Thunderbolts Win 2-1 over Peoria, Force Fourth Game - Evansville Thunderbolts (May 6)
  
• Peoria Comeback Effort Falls Short in Game Three - Peoria Rivermen (May 6)
  
• Thunderbolts Fall, 5-1, in Game Two against Rivermen - Evansville Thunderbolts (May 1)
  
• Thunderbolts Fall Just Short in Game One Overtime Loss - Evansville Thunderbolts (May 1)
  
• Gustav MÜller and Matt O'Dea Bubba's 33 April Co-Players of the Month - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs (April 30)
  
• Spring Cleaning Auction Schedule - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs (April 29)
  
• Thunderbolts to Face off with Rivermen in President's Cup Final - Evansville Thunderbolts (April 28)
  
• Merchandise & Equipment Sale on April 30 - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs (April 27)
  
• All Today's SPHL News

Athens Rock Lobsters fans head to a game
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OurSports Central provides coverage of the following SPHL teams:

Athens Rock Lobsters - Athens, Georgia
Birmingham Bulls - Pelham, Alabama
Evansville Thunderbolts - Evansville, Indiana
Fayetteville Marksmen - Fayetteville, North Carolina
Huntsville Havoc - Huntsville, Alabama
Knoxville Ice Bears - Knoxville, Tennessee
Macon Mayhem - Macon, Georgia
Pensacola Ice Flyers - Pensacola, Florida
Peoria Rivermen - Peoria, Illinois
Quad City Storm - Moline, Illinois
Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs - Roanoke, Virginia
Mobile * - Mobile, Alabama

Sat., May 9	Evansville 6 at Peoria 4 Champ. Gm. 5	Final
All times Eastern On game days, refresh page for latest results Full SPHL Schedule and Results

• Athens Rock Lobsters joining the SPHL during the 2026-27 season - WAFF (May 13)
  
• Evansville Thunderbolts win back-to-back SPHL hockey championships - Evansville Courier & Press (May 11)
  
• Rivermen battle Evansville in the SPHL President's Cup title game - Peoria Journal Star (May 10)
  
• Rivermen's bid falls short for 3rd SPHL championship - WEEK TV (May 10)
  
• It will be a winner-take-all Game 5 for the SPHL President's Cup after the Rivermen fell 3-1 in Game 4 to Evansville - WEEK TV (May 8)
  
• Quad City Storm and QCHA expanding partnership to support youth hockey - KWQC (May 8)
  
• Best photos from Rivermen vs Evansville Game 4 SPHL Finals - Peoria Journal Star (May 8)
  
• On 3-game losing streak, Wheelers face rematch with Blizzard - Quad City Times (May 7)
  
• The Rivermen drop Game 3 of the SPHL President's Cup 2-1 to Evansville in a disappointing effort - WEEK TV (May 7)
  
• Rivermen vs Evansville: Game 3 SPHL Finals - Peoria Journal Star (May 7)
  
• Rivermen rout Evansville in Game 2 of the SPHL Finals at Carver Arena - Peoria Journal Star (May 2)
  
• Peoria Rivermen take a 2-0 lead in President's Cup series - WEEK TV (May 2)
  
• All Today's SPHL Headlines