SPHL Evansville Thunderbolts

ThunderBolts: from the Flight Line

Published on February 23, 2017 under SPHL (SPHL)
Evansville Thunderbolts News Release


EVANSVILLE, IN - Week 19 starts Friday with Evansville on the outside looking in for the playoffs in their inaugural season. The Thunderbolts ended last week with two more one-goal losses. They have 16 one-goal losses on the season. However, Head Coach Jeff Pyle is pleased with the development of the team.

"We have one of the youngest teams in the league and I love our heart and work ethic," said Pyle. "We need more poise and we need to be more consistent, but if we can tighten a few screws and get some scoring we would be a team, in the playoffs, I wouldn't want to play. The SPHL is a solid league and the difference between the top teams is the veteran guys that have been through the battles and have won the wars. We have to win through effort and commitment to structure and discipline. This is a great challenge and life lesson for our kids. Always something to learn"

Evansville added forward Mark Petaccio to the roster last week. He has had an immediate impact. Petaccio had a goal and an assist in his first game against Knoxville last weekend. It was his first point and goal of his SPHL career. Tuesday night he assisted on David Williams' goal to give Evansville a 1-0 lead.

Report from the Eastern Theatre (ECHL)

Justin MacDonald has been playing for the Cincinnati Cyclones since February 10th. MacDonald has a goal and an assist for the Cyclones who are five points behind South Carolina for a playoff spot. This is MacDonald's second ECHL call up this year. Earlier this season, he spent three games with the Indy Fuel.

Austin McKay scored in his first game with the Thunderbolts after being acquired for Brad Bourke and Josh Harris. McKay played four games with Evansville before being called up to Rapid City. In six games with the Rush, McKay has three goals and two assists.

In the Crosshairs

Rivermen, Rivermen, Rivermen. Evansville and Peoria battled on Ford Center ice this past Tuesday night. They will play three more times this weekend. Evansville travels to Peoria Friday and Sunday while the Rivermen return to Evansville on Saturday. Evansville is 3-6 against Peoria this season. One goal has decided three of the last four games.

Check out the Evansville Thunderbolts Statistics

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