Knoxville Ice Bears seek SPHL history as fans wish for another President's Cup
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — After missing the playoffs a year ago, local hockey fans looked on as the Knoxville Ice Bears dropped the puck on game one of the SPHL President's Cup Championship series as fans hope the Ice Bears bring a championship back to the Scruffy City.
There was a palpable excitement in the hours leading up to the first Championship Series game for the Ice Bears since 2015. Fans and parents of players shared how happy they are to see this team in a position to bring home some hardware.
Every hit, every shot and every goal adding to the electric atmosphere surrounding the Knoxville Ice Bears in their quest for a fifth President's Cup. Parents of players making the trip to Knoxville to get a glimpse at what could be a history making series.
'I think the boys have really really come together. They've played really hard and had some great wins,' said Steve Mundinger, father of Ice Bears goalie Stephen Mundinger. 'To actually be here physically and watch it has been unbelievable. I've been here for two weeks, I haven't missed a game in the last two weeks and I'll tell ya, it's the best experience. I know the Ice Bears have got it in them, and we're going to win the cup.'
Boyd Soper, the father of Jimmy and Kyle Soper, gave the Ice Bears faithful high praise as they nearly sold out the arena for another playoff game.
'Knoxville has the best fans. They're loud. They're into it. They just love these guys,' Soper said. 'They are fantastic. They're the best crowd we have in the SPHL for sure.'
For fan groups like the M-1 Mafia, seeing the team bounce back after adversity struck last season has been welcome.
'It's been a rough couple of years. Last year we finished in last place and didn't make the playoffs. We've lost both games at home so far this postseason,' said M1 Mafia member Walt Drouin. 'So to see the boys go on the road and get two wins against two teams that are higher seeded was absolutely amazing and we are excited to be back here.'
Excited to be back and hopeful to add another banner to the coliseum rafters.
No SPHL team has ever won five President's Cups. With four titles already in the books, two wins is all that separates the Ice Bears from SPHL history. The last time the Ice Bears were in the championship series, they won the President's Cup, that was in 2015.
Knoxville dropped game one in the best of three series 4-3 in double overtime. The Ice Bears are back in action Thursday night in Evansville for game two. The Knoxville Civic Coliseum would host the decisive game three on Sunday if Knoxville is able to win in Evansville.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Newsweek
How to Watch Mets vs Dodgers: Live Stream MLB Wednesday, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets will face Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, with the first two games of the series going to extras, and you can catch all the action with FuboTV. Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets hands Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers his helmet in the second inning during Game One of the Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October... Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets hands Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers his helmet in the second inning during Game One of the Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. MoreHow to Watch New York Mets vs Los Angeles Dodgers Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 Time: 7:10 p.m. ET Channel: MLB Network Stream: FuboTV (TRY FOR FREE) The series is tied at two games apiece in this NLCS rematch, with each team coming through in extra innings. Tony Gonsolin (3-1) gets the start for Los Angeles, while Griffin Canning (5-2) takes the mound for New York. Not only does this series feature two of the biggest markets in baseball, but it also features two of the teams at the top of the standings. The Mets (38-23) sit in first in the NL East, while the Dodgers (37-24) hold the edge in the NL West. It is always special when Shohei Ohtani takes the field. Add Juan Soto on the other side, and it creates a must-see matchup. Ohtani leads the National League in home runs, and while Soto got off to a slow start in his first season with the Mets, he is starting to turn it on, having hit a homer in the previous game. This is a great MLB matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action. Live stream Mets vs Dodgers on MLB Network for free with Fubo: Start your subscription now! Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
McDowell softball marks 20th District 10 championship with Class 6A title over Erie High
2025 WHL Championship Series Game 2 Preview The 2025 WHL Championship Series continues on Sunday with a heavily anticipated Game 2. After a 4-1 victory in Game 1, the Medicine Hat Tigers will be looking to extend their series lead to 2-0, while the Spokane Chiefs will have their eyes on leaving Medicine Hat with a split. If Game 1 was any indication, there should be plenty of highlight reel moments when the teams hit the ice for Game 2. 2:21 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
NBC Sports
18-05-2025
- NBC Sports
Chris Taylor released by Dodgers, who owe him $13.4 million
LOS ANGELES — Chris Taylor was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday to clear a roster spot for utilityman Tommy Edman, who was activated off the injured list and was in the starting lineup for the series finale against the Los Angeles Angels. Taylor, who played all three outfield spots and second base this season, is owed $13,435,484 from a four-year, $60 million contract he agreed to ahead of the 2022 season. He is due the remaining $9,435,484 of his $13 million salary this season and a $4 million buyout of a 2026 club option. Taylor, who turns 35 in August, was the longest-tenured position player on the roster after backup catcher Austin Barnes was designated for assignment on Wednesday. 'This has been a very emotional week for all of us,' Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. 'Barnesy and C.T. have been in the middle of some huge moments for this organization. Both left an indelible mark on our culture and where we're at at this point, so the decisions were incredibly difficult. 'But with where we are, the division race, the composition of our roster, we felt like this was in the Dodgers' best interest in terms of how to win as many games and put us in position to best win a World Series this year.' Taylor had several big postseason hits for the Dodgers, including a walk-off homer that beat St. Louis in the 2021 NL wild card game, three homers in Game 5 of the NL Championship Series against Atlanta and a leadoff homer in the 2017 World Series opener against Houston. But he had only 35 plate appearances this season, batting .200 (7 for 35) with two doubles and two RBIs in 28 games. The emergence of rookie Hyeseong Kim made Taylor expendable, Kim hit .452 (14 for 31) in his first 14 games after being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City and reached base in nine consecutive plate appearances. 'Beyond just how endearing he is to his teammates, just the energy he brings, the foot speed, the versatility as well, it's just something that adds a lot to our roster and a different look,' Friedman said of Kim. 'No decision is ever made in a vacuum. It's within the context of our roster and where we're at. And he's done a great job.' Acquired from Seattle in a 2016 trade, Taylor revamped his swing with the Dodgers and was a fixture in the lineup from 2017-23, playing six positions and batting .256 with a .779 OPS, 103 homers, 173 doubles and 391 RBIs. Taylor had a neck injury and struggled to find his swing last year, hitting .202 with a .598 OPS and 76 strikeouts in 87 games. 'He is the consummate pro,' Friedman said. 'He came in hungry and wanting to get better and dove in with our hitting guys with our position coaches. He got better in the infield and outfield, and he brought production in the batter's box. 'He was a huge part of so much success that we've enjoyed and can't say enough about the human, the worker, the teammate, the player. He's one of the toughest guys I've ever been around.' Right-hander reliever Kirby Yates was placed on the 15-day injured list, a day after straining a hamstring against the Angels. The Dodgers selected the contract of 33-year-old right-handed reliever Lou Trivino from Oklahoma City. Los Angeles will have to make another roster move early this week when right fielder Teoscar Hernández (groin strain) is activated off the injured list. The Dodgers said Kim will remain on the roster after Hernández returns.
