T-Birds Host Wolf Pack for Sunday Matinee

Springfield, MA – The Springfield Thunderbirds (7-13-1-0) will look to get back on the horse on Sunday as they are paid a visit by the Hartford Wolf Pack (7-10-2-1) at the MassMutual Center. The puck drops at 3:05 p.m. ET.

 

Both clubs have had defensive woes this weekend, as Springfield allowed six goals in a 6-3 loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Friday, while the Wolf Pack allowed a combined 11 goals in two games against Bridgeport Friday and Hershey Saturday.

 

These two teams have already faced one another three times in the season's first quarter of action. Hartford has topped the Thunderbirds on two of the three occasions - a 4-3 win on Oct. 14 at a sold out MassMutual Center and a 4-2 win in Hartford on Nov. 5 at the XL Center.

 

The Thunderbirds picked up their win over the Wolf Pack in between the two Hartford wins by dispatching their division rivals by a final of 5-3 on Nov. 3. Despite their loss Friday, the Thunderbirds have still won five of their last seven games, while the Wolf Pack has scuffled of late, dropping seven of their last ten contests.

 

Anthony Greco has paced the way in the goal department in Springfield, scoring in back-to-back contests against Hershey and Lehigh Valley to up his season goal total to eight. He has already reached half of his goal total from last season (16). Alex Grenier and Curtis Valk had another three points combined on Friday night, and both men sit atop the Thunderbirds' scoring leaders - Grenier with 19 points and Valk with 17.

 

After a strong outing in each of his prior three starts, Sam Montembeault battled a tough night against a potent Phantoms offense, allowing five goals, including one power play and one shorthanded tally. Springfield has now allowed five shorthanded goals this season, the most in the AHL.

 

Springfield and Hartford will get to know each other well this week, as the two clubs will rematch on Saturday in Hartford at the XL Center for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop.

 

Following the trip to the Wolf Pack's home rink, the Thunderbirds will make their first-ever trip Charlotte to battle with the Checkers on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7:15 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 3 at 1:00 p.m. at the Bojangles Coliseum.

 

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 visitwww.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.