Thunderbolts Outlast Ice Bears in Double OT
Evansville edges Knoxville 4-3 in a gritty postseason classic
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In a game that stretched deep into the night and even deeper into the heart of playoff hockey, the Knoxville Ice Bears fell just short in double overtime, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Evansville Thunderbolts on Wednesday at the Civic Coliseum.
It was Lorenzo Contessa who ended it at 7:07 of the second OT, sealing the win for Evansville in a showdown that felt more like a heavyweight fight than a hockey game. Every shift was earned. Every save mattered. And every fan in the building knew they were witnessing something unforgettable.
Despite the loss, Knoxville showed the kind of tenacity and fire that makes postseason hockey so electric. From Justin McKinney’s two-goal night to Mundinger’s jaw-dropping 56 saves, the Ice Bears refused to back down.
Trading Blows from the Start
Evansville opened the scoring early, but Knoxville punched right back. After the Thunderbolts took a 2-1 lead, Raposoevened the score late in the first. McKinney’s second-period tally gave Knoxville its first and only lead at 3-2, setting the tone for a nail-biting finish.
Kirton’s late third-period power play goal forced overtime, and from there, it was a battle of will and endurance. Knoxville’s penalty kill came up huge, Mundinger was lights-out in net, and chances were traded at a pace that had everyone on edge.
All Eyes on Game Two
Yes, the Ice Bears came up short. But this team is far from finished.
They’ve battled through adversity all postseason. They’ve made history. And they’ve proven that seeding means nothing when heart is everything. With the series still young and the next matchup looming, Knoxville has every reason to believe.
They’ve lost at home before in these playoffs—but they’ve also gone on the road and clawed their way back every single time. This team thrives when the odds are stacked and the pressure is highest. They earned their spot in the championship the hard way, and they’re not backing down now.
This is a team that knows how to respond. And the mission remains the same—win the next one. Then the one after that. And bring it home for the fans who never stop believing.
Game two is on the horizon. The Ice Bears are still in the fight. And if Wednesday night proved anything, it’s that Knoxville has what it takes to go the distance.
