Sound Tigers Squeak Past T-Birds

Bridgeport, CT-  The Springfield Thunderbirds (29-31-9-2) could never find an offensive rhythm on Tuesday afternoon, falling 2-1 to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (43-24-3-1) at the Webster Bank Arena to kick off the team's final three-game road trip of the season.

The Thunderbirds had a slight stumble out of the starting blocks to begin the morning, falling down a man in the game's opening minutes. Bridgeport would end up taking advantage of its first power play as Ryan Pulock set up Josh Winquist for a one-time blast that eluded Sam Brittain at 8:40 to give the Sound Tigers the 1-0 lead.

From that point on, though, the Thunderbirds carried the mail in the opening period, outshooting Bridgeport by a 12-4 margin.

Springfield would not be deterred though, and after the Thunderbirds' first power play came and went with no tally, Thomas Schemitsch quickly changed that with a wrist-shot skipper that eluded Eamon McAdam at 11:36. Stephen MacAulay and Anthony Greco were credited with the helpers on the 20-year-old Schemitsch's first AHL goal.

The Thunderbirds and Sound Tigers would each get a second power play chance in the later half of the period, but neither team could strike. 

Shots came at an even higher premium in the second, with only 14 shots finding the target for the squads through 20 minutes of action. The only one that impacted the game was a one-timer from newly dressed Bridgeport rookie Jake Bischoff, who beat Brittain with another one-timer from the right point at 7:20 of the middle period.

Springfield's power play again received an opportunity after falling behind, but the man advantage again went empty as the Sound Tigers preserved their 2-1 lead into the third. 

The third period was an offensive struggle both directions, with the clubs combining for just eight shots in the final period and 38 for the full 60 minutes. McAdam's 19 saves proved to be enough to get Bridgeport out of the night with the victory. Brittain's afternoon ended with 16 saves on 18 shots for Springfield. The Sound Tigers are now 4-0-1-0 in their last five games.

After the school day game in Bridgeport, the Thunderbirds hit the road for one final weekend, playing down the road in Hartford on Friday night at 7:15 p.m. ET before making one final trek to the PPL Center in Allentown to face the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. ET. 

Interested in being part of the next era of AHL hockey in Springfield? Earn your wings with Springfield Thunderbirds 2017-18 Ticket Memberships, which start as low as $12 per game and feature the most exclusive benefits, including a commemorative jersey and brand new Collectors Mug. For more information, fans may call the Thunderbirds ticket office at (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.