Rivermen Down Thunderbolts 5-1 To Take 2-0 Stranglehold Lead in Finals
May 1, 2026 - 10:45 pm
PEORIA, IL – The Peoria Rivermen took another step toward the President’s Cup on Friday night at Carver Arena following a 5-1 victory in Game Two of the President’s Cup Finals against Evansville. Forward Michael McChesney scored two goals in the contest, including the game winner, while Garrett Devine, Braydon Barker, and Kylar Fenton also scored for the Rivermen. Peoria goaltender Nick Latinovich made 23 saves on 24 shots in the victory.
The Rivermen now lead the best-of-five series two games to none and are one win away from their third President’s Cup Championship. Game Three will be in Evansville at the Ford Center on Wednesday, May 6, at 7:00 p.m. Central time.
FIRST PERIOD
Peoria came out fast in the first period, netting the first goal just 20 seconds in. Garret Devine corralled the puck at the left-wing circle and righted a shot that deflected back to him. Devine, back with the puck again, skated to the slot and then wired a shot in past Evansville netminder Kristian Stead to record his fourth goal of the playoffs and give the Rivermen a 1-0 lead. But just a few minutes later, Evansville scored on their first shot on goal of the game from the point to tie the game 1-1. From that point on, the Thunderbolts pressed, looking for their first lead of the series, but could not find the go-ahead goal.
SECOND PERIOD
Like the first period, the Rivermen came out quick in the second period. Unlike the first period, they did not let up in their intensity. It started just a few minutes into the second as a loose puck rolled into the slot for Michael McChesney, who back-handed a shot that sailed just under the front cross-bar and was deflected back out of the net by the back bar. The officials had to review the play, but after a quick look at the replay, they confirmed the goal that put the Rivermen up 2-1. A few minutes later, Garret Devine forced a turnover along the left-wing boards after the Thunderbolts failed to clear their own zone. Devine played the puck to Braydon Barker, who then passed it off to his right to Connor Szmul. Szmul then skated to the slot and around the sliding block by an Evansville skater before touching a pass back to Barker just off the left side of the net. Barker made no mistake as he elevated his one-timed shot into the top shelf to put the Rivermen in front 3-1.
THIRD PERIOD
The Thunderbolts pressed hard in the third period, getting several power-play opportunities and scoring chances. The Thunderbolts ended up outshooting the Rivermen 10-5 in the third period, but goaltender Nick Latinovich and the Rivermen held firm in the final period. Peoria was able to net two empty-net goals late in the game to close out the contest. One came off the stick of Kyler Fenton from inside his own blue line, and the other came from McChesney after forcing a turnover behind the net.
Photo: Claire Schaffner - Peoria Rivermen
