Another T-Birds Offensive Explosion Downs Wolf Pack

Springfield, MA – The Springfield Thunderbirds (18-21-1-1) once again saw the offense light up the scoreboard in a 5-1 trouncing of the Hartford Wolf Pack (13-20-3-3) on Monday at the MassMutual Center. The win was the Thunderbirds' fourth in a row.

 

The Thunderbirds offense, which had scored 11 goals in the last two games, once again exerted themselves in the first period on their first power play try. Alex Grenier gathered it in at the right point and slid a cross-seam pass right on the money to Maxim Mamin, who quickly wristed it through Marek Mazanec to give Springfield the 1-0. It was Mamin's third point in the last two games. Rob Hamilton also picked up an assist to extend his point streak to five games.

 

The Wolf Pack surrendered seven of the game's first 11 shots but recovered to make a strong push and eventually tie the score. Off an Adam Tambellini shot and rebound off of Sam Montembeault, Hartford captain Joe Whitney gathered the loose puck and beat a diving Montembeault to bring the game to a 1-1 draw at 13:55. The Wolf Pack ended up outshooting Springfield 10-8 for the first period.

 

For a third straight game, the second period proved to be the Thunderbirds' explosive offensive stanza. In outshooting the Wolf Pack 25-2 in the period, Springfield registered another three in the middle period to make it 10 second period goals in the last three games.

 

Dryden Hunt opened the second period scoring at 11:17 when Curtis Valk stepped into the zone in the slot and slid a pass to Hunt on the right wing. The winger ripped a quick shot through Marek Mazanec to put Springfield ahead 2-1.

 

Just 4:24 later, the five-on-five attack struck again as Josh Brown carried the puck around the goal and set up Chase Balisy in the goal mouth. Balisy banged the loose puck through Mazanec to make it 3-1, picking up his third goal in three games in the process.

 

Valk would add another point when he was the benefactor of a Mazanec turnover at 18:21, set up by Jayce Hawryluk's second assist of the game.

 

The 4-1 score carried into the third period, and even though the Wolf Pack responded with 15 shots in the third, Montembeault turned away each offering, and the Thunderbirds power play came up with one more strike to put a bow on the game. At 11:48, Ludwig Bystrom, who already picked up an assist in the second period on the Valk goal, moved to the center point. With a screen set up in front, the defenseman whistled it through Mazanec for his first goal in a Springfield jersey.

 

Montembeault finished the night with 26 stops in the 5-1 victory, as the Thunderbirds tied their season high with their fourth straight win.

 

Tickets are also available for Springfield's match with the Hershey Bears on Wednesday, Jan. 17, as well as another 3-2-1 Friday against the Binghamton Devils at 7:05 p.m. on Jan. 19.

 

Springfield Thunderbirds fans are encouraged to visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com to learn more about Thunderbirds Ticket Memberships. Packages include a wide range of benefits, including a refillable collector’s mug. For more information or to order now, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.