By Abby Doperak · KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Ice Vols brought the energy and secured a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Spartans on Friday night. Playing in front of…
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Ice Vols brought the energy and secured a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Spartans on Friday night.
Playing in front of an energetic orange-and-white crowd, Tennessee showcased their development while breaking through a strong Tampa offense to add another win to the season tally.
The Ice Vols opened the game looking to build on momentum from their previous game against Alabama. From the first puck drop, they played with aggression and intensity.
Tennessee spent equal time in both the offensive and defensive zones, showing off their ability to fend off Tampa’s aggressive offensive attacks. In a low-scoring first period – with six shots on goal for Tennessee and nine for Tampa – the teams went into intermission tied at 0-0.
The Spartans struck early in the second, with defenseman James Lawhorne scoring at 2:12 to put Tampa up 1-0. Tennessee answered quickly with forward Henry Cohen tying it up at 5:03 for a score of 1-1 with assists from Mitchell Spranklin and Dylan Updike.
The Ice Vols kept the pressure, and it paid off when assistant captain Kyle Stober found the back of the net at 13:19. He was assisted by fellow assistant captain Tyler Iles and defenseman Finn DeStefano, sending Tennessee into the third period with a 2-1 lead.
Tennessee played intentionally in the final period, protecting the lead while seeking opportunities to extend it. Tampa goalie Kyle Myer made several key saves, but couldn’t stop Spranklin, who scored unassisted at 7:19 to make it 3-1.
Despite being outshot 28-21, Tennessee limited the Spartans to just one goal and closed out the win.
“We don’t lose in the Coli,” Spranklin said. “It felt good to get that win against a good Tampa team.”
The Ice Vols weren’t the only local team celebrating a win. Directly before Tennessee took the ice, the Southern Professional Hockey League’s Knoxville Ice Bears defeated Birmingham at the Coliseum.
Tennessee head coach Drew King played a surprising role in that victory. Hours before puck drop, the Ice Bears were short a player, and King volunteered to suit up. Though he hadn’t played competitive hockey in three years, King scored the Ice Bears’ first goal of the evening.
“The Ice Bears guys are great,” King said. “I really appreciate them and letting me come play with them.”
King carried that momentum into his second appearance of the night – behind the bench as coach of the Ice Vols – ending the evening with two wins.
Still, King and the team are keeping their focus ahead to the second game against Tampa.
“Breakouts can be better,” Spranklin said. “I think we had a great team effort today, and we need to keep that morale going.”
The Ice Vols return to the Coliseum on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 1:15 p.m. for a second game of the weekend against Tampa.