Incredible Run Ends for Knoxville in President's Cup Finals
April 24, 2025 - SPHL (SPHL)
Knoxville Ice Bears News Release
Knoxville Ice Bears goaltender Stephen Mundinger
(Knoxville Ice Bears)
The Knoxville Ice Bears made a strong push in the third period to force overtime in game two of the President's Cup Finals, but fell 2-1 in the extra period to lose the series two games to none to the Evansville Thunderbolts at the Ford Center in Indiana Thursday night.
Aidan Litke scored the overtime winner with a top shelf shot over Stephen Mundinger from right in front of the crease after a cross-ice pass from Matthew Hobbs at 1:30 into overtime.
Brendan Dowler tied the game at 2:25 of the third period with a shot from the right circle. Mitch Atkins' attempt deflected to Dowler on the right wing and his wrist shot got through Cole Ceci for his first goal of the postseason. Ceci made 29 saves for Evansville.
Logan vande Meerakker scored right before the first intermission with a wrist shot from the right circle with just 45 seconds remaining to give the Thunderbolts a 1-0 lead.
Mundinger kept Knoxville in the game through the first two periods with several key saves. He stopped Isaac Chapman from the left hash and kicked away Chapman's backdoor chance on the Evansville power play.
Mundinger was phenomenal all postseason for Knoxville, stopping 38-of-40 shots on Thursday-the seventh time in eight playoff games he faced 40 shots or more-and finished the playoff run with a 2.14 goals against average and a .948 save percentage.
Images from this story
 Knoxville Ice Bears goaltender Stephen Mundinger |
• Discuss this story on the SPHL message board...
SPHL Stories from April 24, 2025
- Incredible Run Ends for Knoxville in President's Cup Finals - Knoxville Ice Bears
- Jordan Ernst Named SPHL's Most Valuable Player - Peoria Rivermen
- Peoria's Jordan Ernst Named SPHL Most Valuable Player - SPHL
- Contessa's Double Overtime Goal Leads Thunderbolts over Knoxville in Finals Opener - Evansville Thunderbolts
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Knoxville Ice Bears Stories
- Incredible Run Ends for Knoxville in President's Cup Finals
- Ice Bears Drop Heartbreaker in Game One of Finals
- Ice Bears Advance to Finals with 4-2 Win over Bulls
- Not Done Yet: Ice Bears Force Game Three with 5-1 Win
- Comeback Attempt Falls Short in Ice Bears Game One Loss
