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SPHL Evansville Thunderbolts

Stewart Strikes Down RiverKings with Hat Trick

March 17, 2018 - SPHL (SPHL)
Evansville Thunderbolts News Release


Evansville, Ind: It would be a night full of milestones for Evansville as captain Cory Melkert celebrated playing his 100th professional game and rookies Hunter Stewart and Ian Sylves earned their first pro games on St. Patrick's Day. The two rookies could've been mistaken for seasoned veterans, as Stewart scored a hat trick in his debut and Sylves stopped 41 shots, helping to push Evansville over Mississippi, 5-3.

Stewart would get the goals started early at 3:16 of the first period from Mike Fazio and Shayne Morrissey, putting the Bolts up 1-0. Stewart would score again in the second period at the 6:29 mark, again from Fazio and also from Nick D'Avolio, making it 2-0. Minutes later in the second, Dave Williams would add a power play goal by rushing to the net at 9:34 from Melkert and Nick Lazorko, making it 3-0. After the RiverKings mounted a partial comeback off two goals by Daniel Tedesco to make it 3-2, Stewart would finish the hat trick off a set-up from Fazio on the power play to make it 4-2 with 7:01 to go. Morrissey would also assist on the goal. The RiverKings would get back within one only 29 seconds later as Tedesco would finish his hat trick as well, but John Scorcia would find the back of the net only 29 seconds after Tedesco's tally, making it 5-3 at the 13:57 mark from Lazorko. Mississippi would pull the goalie, but fail to gain any ground, and the Thunderbolts would hold on to win, 5-3, now putting them only 10 points away from their first playoff berth.

For Evansville, Stewart scored three goals, Williams and Scorcia scored a goal each. Fazio finished with three assists, while Morrissey and Lazorko tallied two assists each. Sylves finished with 41 saves for his first pro victory in his first pro start. The Thunderbolts return to action on Friday, March 23, hosting the Pensacola Ice Flyers. Time of puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CST.

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