The Evansville Thunderbolts secured a commanding 6-1 victory over the Quad City Storm on Friday night, breaking open a close game with a four-goal explosion in the third period. The win was highlighted by Nolan McElhaney’s first professional goal and a standout performance from goaltender Ty Taylor, who stopped 32 of 33 shots.
First Period
Evansville set the tone early when McElhaney scored his first career goal at 3:40 off assists from Brendan Harrogate and Matt Dorsey. Late in the period, Dorsey extended the lead to 2-0 with a power move from the boards to the net, assisted again by Harrogate. The Thunderbolts carried the two-goal advantage into the intermission.
Second Period
The middle frame was a defensive stalemate, with neither team finding the back of the net. Evansville’s penalty kill held strong, keeping the Storm off the board and maintaining the 2-0 lead heading into the final period.
Third Period
Evansville’s offense erupted in the third, starting with Brady Lynn’s net-front goal at 1:11, assisted by Jordan Simoneau and Rob Eriksson. Less than three minutes later, Logan Vande Meerakker capitalized on a power play, extending the lead to 4-0 with help from Joey Berkopec and Simoneau.
Quad City’s Nicola Levesque broke the shutout at 4:57, but the Thunderbolts regained control. Lynn notched his second goal of the night at 11:10, a shot deflected off a Storm stick, and Matthew Hobbs rounded out the scoring at 13:05 with a bank shot off a defender, assisted by Berkopec and Vande Meerakker.
Key Performances
Lynn led the way for Evansville with two goals, while Dorsey and Vande Meerakker each contributed a goal and an assist. McElhaney, Hobbs, and Simoneau also played pivotal roles, with Simoneau adding two assists. Taylor earned his fifth win of the season with a stellar performance in net.
What’s Next
The Thunderbolts and Storm face off again on Saturday night at Ford Center in Evansville. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT as Evansville looks to build on its momentum.