Sports stats



SPHL Evansville Thunderbolts

First Game of Home and Home Goes Mississippi's Way

January 21, 2017 - SPHL (SPHL)
Evansville Thunderbolts News Release


EVANSVILLE, IN - Three times previously this season the Thunderbolts and Riverkings have had a game decided by one goal. It was no different Friday night in the Ford Center, with the Riverkings endging out the Thunderbolts 3-2. Twice Mississippi held a two-goal lead, but Evansville kept coming back hoping to tie the season series at two games each.

The Thunderbolts had two powerplay opportunities to the Riverkings' one in the first period, yet were outshot 15-8. Mississippi took the lead in the second period scoring goals at the 3:39 and 5:35 mark. At that point, Evansville trailed 2-0 and had been outshot 24-9. The Thunderbolts cut the lead to one before the second period ended. Dave Williams scored a powerplay goal with 1:31 remaining on a deflection from a John Scorcia shot. Williams is now tied for the team lead in goals with eight. Tommy Fiorentino also assisted on the goal.

Evansville carried the play to Mississippi throughout the third period. Their offensive aggression forced Mississippi to take four penalties in the final period. Evansville had seven powerplay opportunities for the night. Near the halfway point of the period, with Evansville nearing the end of a powerplay, Thunderbolt forward Chad Bennett lasered a shot past the Riverking netminder. The puck clanked off the crossbar, the penalized player's penalty ended, and the Riverkings raced down ice with a 3-1 rush. Tyler Barr would score and regain the two-goal lead for Mississippi.

The Thunderbolts responded 80 seconds later. Scorcia hammered a rebound into the net after a Brandon Lubin point shot and Evansville drew within one again. Evansville would get one more powerplay opportunity and would pull goaltender Tanner Milliron with less than a minute left, but could not get the equalizer.

Thunderbolt Aces

Justin MacDonald had an assist to extend his point streak to 12 gamesTommy Fiorentino has assists in three consecutive games. He has four assists in five gamesTanner Milliron made 43 saves on 46 shots (.935 Save Percentage).

Check out the Evansville Thunderbolts Statistics

• Discuss this story on the SPHL message board...

SPHL Stories from January 21, 2017


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central