The Knoxville Ice Bears faced off against the Evansville Thunderbolts last night in a tense game one of the SPHL President’s Cup Finals. Still, despite the charged atmosphere and fan support, they dipped in double overtime with a 4-3 loss at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. The loss has left them chasing the series 0-1, according to the Knoxville Ice Bears' official site. A single goal from Evansville's Derek Contessa, slipping the puck past goalie Stephen Mundinger's glove, sealed the fate of the opening game.
The electric atmosphere, heightened by nearly selling out the arena, didn't translate into a win for the Ice Bears, a team desperate to rewrite last year's disappointment, when they missed the playoffs. In an interview detailed by WATE, Steve Mundinger, father of the Ice Bears' goalie, expressed his optimism, saying, "I think the boys have really really come together. They've played really hard and had some great wins." Despite the electric atmosphere, their supporters, who nearly filled the seats, could not affect the outcome on the ice.
Evidence of the intense battle on ice was clear, with Knoxville's Dawson McKinney scoring twice and Derek Raposo managing his first career goal. Despite the goals, however, it was Mundinger’s tenacity that helped withstand the Thunderbolts' heavy attack, particularly during three consecutive power plays in the second period. While not admitting defeat, the fans are appreciating more than just the score, with one enthusiast stating to WBIR, "Honestly, the fights — it's the only sport where you can legally fight,” one fan said. “I think that's why the crowd's here."
