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Evansville Thunderbolts join exclusive club with repeat SPHL championship
TL;DR
The Evansville Thunderbolts won the SPHL President's Cup for the second consecutive year, defeating the Peoria team in a five-game series. This achievement places them among an exclusive group of franchises with back-to-back championships in SPHL history.
Key points
- Evansville Thunderbolts won the SPHL President's Cup again
- Defeated Peoria in a five-game series
- Only three other teams have back-to-back championships in SPHL history
- Coach Jeff Bes emphasized the team's commitment and belief
- Thunderbolts overcame a 2-0 series deficit
Mentioned in this story
Jeff Bes
Evansville ThunderboltsPeoriaSPHL
EVANSVILLE — What the Evansville Thunderbolts accomplished officially shed any lingering doubts. They're now one of the top franchises in the SPHL.
That distinction comes after securing a spot in league history over the weekend. The 5-seeded Thunderbolts defeated 1-seed Peoria in a five-game series to win the President's Cup for the second straight season. The repeat title comes after falling behind 2-0 and requiring a final stand in the final period of Game 5 to clinch the Cup on enemy ice.
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Only three others in SPHL history, which stretches over 20 years, have won back-to-back championships.
"Let's get real," Evansville coach Jeff Bes said. "It’s so hard to do. Sometimes, after you win the first one, you get a little bit of entitlement. We fought that all season. My expectations were higher. Then, come playoff time, they were there. Everybody bought into what we wanted to be successful. Having that belief is what shows if you can compete and you can win."
How did the Thunderbolts complete what could be the best season in franchise history? Accepting the underdog label.
Evansville's Tyson Gilmour (18) passes as the Evansville Thunderbolts play the Huntsville Havoc during Education Day at Ford Center in Evansville, Ind., Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2025.
That mindset lingered after rolling through the SPHL playoffs last year as the 7-seed to win the first Cup in Thunderbolts history. Few anticipated a repeat run despite a strong regular season: 69 points and fourth place were the best ever for the franchise – one victory shy of matching the 2022-23 team with 32.
Evansville needed overtime in Game 3 at Ford Center to beat Pensacola in the opening round, trailing by two goals late in regulation. It later dispatched Roanoke in four during the semifinals. The final step came after losing the first two at Peoria nearly two weeks ago.
Q&A
How did the Evansville Thunderbolts win the SPHL championship?
The Thunderbolts won the SPHL championship by defeating the Peoria team in a five-game series, coming back from a 2-0 deficit.
What is the significance of the Thunderbolts' back-to-back championships?
The Thunderbolts' back-to-back championships place them in an exclusive group, as only three other teams in SPHL history have achieved this feat.
Who is the coach of the Evansville Thunderbolts?
The coach of the Evansville Thunderbolts is Jeff Bes.
What challenges did the Thunderbolts face during the playoffs?
The Thunderbolts faced challenges such as falling behind 2-0 in the series and needing a strong performance in the final period of Game 5 to clinch the title.
