T-Birds Close Season Series vs. Devils

Mar 19, 2017

Springfield, MA- The Springfield Thunderbirds (26-27-8-2) conclude their 11th out of 12 three-game weekends on Sunday when they receive a visit from the Albany Devils (34-25-2-2) for a 3:05 p.m. ET puck drop at the MassMutual Center.

These two clubs have met three prior times this season, including on Friday night at the Times Union Center. In all three of those meetings, the game has gone past regulation. Albany and Springfield traded overtime wins in each other's buildings on Jan. 11 and Jan. 13 respectively. Former ThunderbirdShane Harper defeated the Devils in Springfield's overtime triumph.

Now a Devil, Harper and Albany will look to bounce back from back-to-back extra time losses on Friday and Saturday. Thanks to Adam Wilcox, the Thunderbirds picked up a 2-1 shootout win on Friday night.Chase Balisy's power play goal gave Springfield a 1-0 lead early in the second period, but Jacob MacDonald forced overtime for Albany with a goal in the second half of the final period.

When nothing was decided in 3-on-3 overtime, the clubs proceeded to the shootout, where Wilcox stopped all six Devils shooters. On the other end, MacKenzie Blackwood stopped five of six, butThomas Schemitsch sneaked a beautiful deking forehander into the net for the winning tally.

Springfield did see its four-game win streak come to a close at the hands of the Providence Bruins on Saturday at the Dunkin' Donuts Center, but the Thunderbirds received two-point nights from Balisy, Paul Thompson, and Dryden Hunt. Hunt has now recorded points in five consecutive games, the second longest streak by a Thunderbird this season behind the former Thunderbird Harper's eight-game burst into December. 

After today's matinee, the Thunderbirds have one final three-game weekend beginning on Friday, March 24 in Rochester. The Thunderbirds will play the Americans on Friday and Sunday, while stopping over in Toronto on Saturday to face the Marlies. 

Interested in being part of the next era of AHL hockey in Springfield? Springfield Thunderbirds 2017-18 Ticket Memberships 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.

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