T-Birds Host Wolf Pack for Monday Matinee

Springfield, MA – The Springfield Thunderbirds (17-21-1-1) will look to pick up steam following a three-game road win streak as they welcome the Hartford Wolf Pack (13-19-3-3) on Monday at 1:05 p.m. at the MassMutual Center.

 

The I-91 rivals enter Monday afternoon’s tussle going in opposite directions of late. The Thunderbirds have won three in a row away from the MassMutual Center while earning points in seven of their last ten games overall.

 

Hartford, meanwhile, has dropped four of their last five, seven of their last nine, and fallen to the bottom of the Atlantic Division in the process. The Thunderbirds have won the last three battles with the Wolf Pack as well, including a thrilling 5-4 win on Dec. 30, thanks to Josh Brown’s goal in the final three seconds.

 

Making things worse for the Wolf Pack, they will be without Vinni Lettieri following his recall to the New York Rangers. The rookie has five goals and three assists in the season series against the Thunderbirds. Without Lettieri, the struggling Hartford offense has failed to register three goals in a night in any of their past five games.

 

Springfield, meanwhile, begins its three-game homestand behind an offense that has scored 11 times in the last two games against Lehigh Valley and Providence. Dryden Hunt has three of those 11 goals for the Thunderbirds, while Anthony Greco has dished out five assists in the last two Springfield victories.

 

With Sam Montembeault finally getting a night off on Sunday, Evan Cowley stepped in and stepped up to make 34 saves on 36 Bruins shots to preserve the 5-2 win on Sunday.

 

Springfield had gone 3-12-0-1 in their first 16 road contests before embarking on a three-game road winning streak this week. They have outscored their opponents by a 13-5 margin in that stretch. Curtis Valk became the first Thunderbird to eclipse the 30-point plateau with his assist on Sunday, while Hunt joined Greco as the lone players with double digit goals with his two tallies in Providence.

 

Kids tickets for Monday afternoon’s matinee are just $5.55 in the end zones (Attack & Defense), presented by Friendly’s. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting www.springfieldthunderbirds.com  or by calling (413) 739-GOAL (4625). 

 

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.