Hot Hartford Power Play Spells Doom to T-Birds

Hartford, CT– The Springfield Thunderbirds (2-10-1-0) once again were victims of the vicious Hartford Wolf Pack (5-7-0-1) power play in a 4-2 loss on Sunday at the XL Center.

 

Hartford's top-ranked power play proved to be the Thunderbirds' undoing in a first period offensive attack of the Springfield net. Sam Montembeault could not come up with a reply on a 2-on-1 power play rush just 1:46 into the period. Joe Whitney elevated a saucer pass from the left side across to Scott Kosmachuk, who beat Montembeault to make it 1-0 early for the Wolf Pack.

 

Later in the period, it would be the second power play unit for Keith McCambridge's team doing the damage, as Dan DeSalvo wristed home a seeing-eye shot over Montembeault's stick at 13:49. Ryan Sproul and Anthony DeAngelo picked up the helpers on DeSalvo's second of the season.

 

A third Hartford power play finally came up empty, and as the first period ticked into the second, it would be the Thunderbirds who received an eerily similar situation to one seen in the game on Friday against the two clubs in Springfield.

 

On Friday night, it was the Wolf Pack who began the second down 2-0, but with a 5-on-3 advantage. Springfield received the same fate with 1:02 of two-man advantage time to begin the middle period after DeAngelo and Dan Catenacci were called for minor penalties at 19:01 of the first.

 

Hartford would tie the score Friday in their 5-on-3 time, but on Sunday, Springfield could not take advantage with an identical circumstance. Springfield would have two additional power play chances in the middle period, but Alex Georgiev and the Wolf Pack again held the Thunderbirds scoreless.

 

Steven Fogarty would add another ounce of security with an even strength, unassisted goal with just 15 seconds left in the second to make it 3-0 Hartford heading into the third.

 

A third Wolf Pack power play goal ballooned the lead to 4-0 early in the third on a tally by Vinni Lettieri at 1:08 of the final frame.

 

For a second straight night, the Thunderbirds would get two third period goals in a hurry, as Denis Malgin and Anthony Greco (power play) connected just over three minutes apart. Greco's goal was his fourth in four games, as he set a new Thunderbirds franchise record with goals in four straight contests.

 

In the end, though, the Thunderbirds ran out of time, dropping their seventh straight road contest to start the 2017-18 season. Montembeault finished with 30 saves in the loss, while Georgiev stopped 21 of 23 for the Wolf Pack victory.

 

Following the Thunderbirds' quick trip south, they will return home to begin the first of two separate five-game homestands in the 2017-18 season. They will host the Hershey Bears for the first time on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 7:05 before playing host to the Laval Rocket for David Ortiz Night on Saturday, Nov. 11, also at 7:05 p.m. ET.

 

Springfield Thunderbirds fans are encouraged to visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com to learn more about Thunderbirds Season Ticket Memberships. Packages start at just $12 per game, and Thunderbirds Full Season Ticket Members receive the most benefits, including a refillable collector’s mug and a commemorative jersey. For more information or to order now, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.