Evansville, In.: After a weekend off, the Thunderbolts look to keep their five-game winning streak rolling as they take on the first-place Peoria Rivermen, starting in Peoria on Friday night followed up by a rematch at Ford Center for 80’s/Hairball Night on Saturday.

Week In Review: 

  The Thunderbolts were idle for the past weekend due to league rescheduling, as Evansville was originally scheduled to play at Vermilion County this past Friday and Saturday, before the Bobcats ceased operations.  Two weekends ago, the Thunderbolts swept their weekend series against Quad City, winning 4-1 on Friday the 10^th off third period goals from Alex Cohen, Fredrik Wink, and Brendan Harrogate, who scored twice.  Harrogate got the scoring started once again on Saturday the 11^th in Quad City, with other goals from Felix Sasser and Derek Osik propelling Evansville to a 3-1 win.  Following the weekend, goaltender Trevor Gorsuch was named SPHL Co-Player of the Week after only allowing 2 goals on 77 total shots in his two wins in net against the Storm.

 The Week Ahead: 

The Thunderbolts start the upcoming weekend at Peoria this Friday the 24^th, puck drop at 7:15pm CT.  On Saturday the 25^th, the Thunderbolts host the Rivermen for 80’s night, featuring specialty game-worn jerseys which will be auctioned off after the game, along with live performances from Atlas of the Dogs, the opening band for Hairball at Victory Theatre on Saturday, March 11^th, during the pregame as well as during intermissions.  River City Ice Theatre will also perform during the first intermission.  Ticketholders for the Hairball show at Victory Theatre on March 11^th are eligible for $7 tickets with proof of purchase.  For tickets to Saturday’s game, call (812)422-BOLT (2658), go to EvansvilleThunderbolts.com, or visit the Ford Center Ticket Office.  Friday night’s game can be viewed on SPHL TV with a paid subscription through HockeyTV, or can be listened to for free on the Thunderbolts Radio Network via the Thunderbolts MixLr Channel or at EvansvilleThunderbolts.com/fan-center/live .

Coming Soon: 

  The Thunderbolts’ next home game following this weekend will be on Sunday, March 5^th for the final Sunday Funday game of the season, against the Peoria Rivermen at 3:00pm CT.  $2 Bud Light 12oz cans and $2 hot dogs will be available until the end of the first intermission (while supplies last), and kids under 12 will receive a voucher for a free small bag of popcorn.  There will also be a postgame meet-and-greet with the players at BJ’s Brewhouse on North Green River Road.  On Friday the 10^th and Saturday the 11^th, the Thunderbolts will host the Macon Mayhem, both games starting at 7:00pm CT.  Friday the 10^th will be PTO Giveback Night, where Tri-State Parent Teacher Organizations and Associations can purchase tickets to this game, with a portion of each ticket going back to their PTO or PTA.  Saturday the 11^th will be Pink the Rink & Heart Health Wellness Night, honoring those who have or are still dealing with life challenging health situations.  More information on this game night will be coming soon.

  Scouting the Opponent: Peoria Rivermen: 

1. • Record: 30-9-2, 62 Points, 1^st Place
   • Leading Goal Scorer: Alec Hagaman (19 Goals)
   • Leading Point Scorer: Alec Hagaman (48 Points)
   • Primary Goaltender: Eric Levine (14-6-2, .913 Save %)
   • Thunderbolts 22-23 Record vs PEO: 3-3-0

The Rivermen swept the Macon Mayhem in a three-game weekend series at home this past weekend.  On Friday, two goals from Joseph Widmar and a goal each from Jordan Ernst, Alec Hagaman, Nick Neville, Dale Deon, and Alec Baer led the Rivermen to a 7-1 rout of the Mayhem.  Saturday saw Macon take a 1-0 lead into the third period, where Rivermen goals from Deon, Hagaman, and Zach Wilkie again helped the Rivermen prevail in a 3-1 victory.  On Sunday, the Rivermen erased an early Macon lead as five unanswered goals from Ernst, Baer, JM Piotrowski, Marcel Godbout, Joseph Drapluk helped the Rivermen sweep Macon with a 5-2 win.  The Rivermen play this Thursday night at Quad City before hosting Evansville on Friday.

Call-up Report 

– Chase Perry – Allen Americans (Prev. Greenville) – ECHL

                                – Greenville: 2 GP, 1-0-1, 1.93 GAA, .944 Save %

                                – Allen: 9 GP, 6-3-0, 3.14 GAA, .913 Save %

                – Matthew Barron – Trois-Rivieres Lions (Prev. Indy) – ECHL

                                – Indy: 4 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 P, 0 PIM
– Trois-Rivieres: 20 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 P, 8 PIM

                – Mike Ferraro – Savannah Ghost Pirates – ECHL

                                – 6 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 P, 6 PIM

                – Dillon Hill – Trois-Rivieres Lions – ECHL

                                – 9 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 P, 6 PIM

– Cameron Cook – Trois-Rivieres Lions – ECHL

                                – 5 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, 4 PIM

Transactions:     

Wed. 2/22: D Bryan Etter returned from call-up to Reading (ECHL)
Tue. 2/21: D Kristaps Nimanis placed on team suspension

Wed. 2/15: RW Jason Lavallee signed to contract

Tue. 2/14: D Bryan Etter called up to Reading (ECHL)

Fri. 2/10: LW Mathieu Cloutier placed on 21-Day Injured Reserve

Hood batted .571 in home-opening weekend

LOUIS – University of Evansville senior infielder Hannah Hood was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week on Tuesday.

Hood batted .571 with six runs, five walks, five RBI, four stolen bases and two home runs to lead the Purple Aces to a perfect 4-0 mark.  In Saturday’s game against Kansas City, Hood was 2-for-2 with three RBI, three runs, a home run, walk and steal.

She followed that up in Sunday’s game against the Kangaroos with a 2-3 effort with another homer, two runs and two RBI.  She also swiped two more bases.  Hood recorded two walks, a steal and hit by pitch in Sunday’s