ThunderBolts Defeat Knoxville in Overtime, 4-3
Published on December 3, 2016 under SPHL (SPHL)
Evansville Thunderbolts News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN - Knoxville scored nine seconds into the game and three times in the first 10:45, but Evansville battled back to get their first home victory in franchise history.
Knoxville's Doug Reid opened the scoring after an Evansville giveaway in their zone. The Ice Bears' Mitch Vandergunst scored his first of the season while Joseph Manno added a shorthanded goal. Tanner Milliron came in to relieve Thunderbolt starter Mike Doan. Milliron stopped all 14 shots he faced as Evansville battled back.
Stephon Thorne scored his first goal as a Thunderbolt late in the first period to cut the lead to 3-1 in favor of the Ice Bears. David Williams scored his team leading sixth goal in the second and Thorne added a power play tally to tie the game at three in the third period. Justin MacDonald needed only 10 seconds of overtime to get the puck past Ice Bears netminder Brian Billett. MacDonald won the overtime draw and raced down the right wing scoring far side for the game winning goal.
Evansville and Knoxville have traded 4-3 overtime victories in the two games against each other this season. Evansville was one for five on the power play, but surrendered a shorthanded goal. Evansville's penalty kill defended two Knoxville power play opportunities. The two teams play again tomorrow in Evansville.
Thunderbolt Aces
Justin MacDonald had the game winning goal, two assists and was named the first star of the game.
Tanner Milliron is 3-1 in his last four appearances. He has stopped 97 of 102 shots.
Dan Cornell had two assists in the game.
Stephon Thorne scored two goals. He has five goals on the season.
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