T-Birds' Magic Runs Out in Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Springfield Thunderbirds (24-18-1-4) finally saw their historic nine-game winning streak come to an end as the Providence Bruins (30-9-7-2) bested Springfield 6-2 on Friday night at Amica Mutual Pavilion.

The Thunderbirds and Bruins, who entered with a combined 14 consecutive wins between them, showcased their All-Star goalies for much of the opening 20 minutes, as Joel Hofer (13 saves) and Brandon Bussi (seven saves) each were at their best against strong scoring chances at each end.

After the T-Birds' second power play of the period came up empty, the offense kept up the pressure, and it appeared Nikita Alexandrov had given Springfield a 1-0 lead with about two minutes to go in the frame. However, the officials deemed that Alexandrov, who deflected a Brady Lyle point blast, had used a high stick and thus nullified the goal. 

Providence dodged that bullet and then struck with a shot of their own with just 40 seconds left in the frame when Justin Brazeau spotted Chris Wagner with a pass in front of the net on the right-wing side. Wagner punched it past a stretched-out Hofer, and the Bruins had the 1-0 advantage after the first.

Just 2:44 into period two, and just 3:24 of game action later, Providence added another, as reigning AHL Player of the Week Georgii Merkulov beautifully skated around a defender before tucking a backhander around Hofer. The young star's seventh goal in six games made it 2-0.

Springfield pushed the issue offensively to try to dent Bussi, and at 12:49, Matthew Peca finally broke through from the right circle with a perfectly placed shot under the crossbar, making it a 2-1 score. Martin Frk won a race to cancel an icing off a Matthew Highmore dump-in, which allowed him to set up Peca's tally.

Unfortunately, the Bruins had a quick rebuttal, as only 16 seconds elapsed before Fabian Lysell cashed in on a loose puck from point-blank range to restore a 3-1 lead for Providence. Hofer's busy night, which saw Providence launch 49 shots, finally caught up to Springfield as the game moved into the third.

Eduards Tralmaks, playing in just his ninth game all season due to injuries, whistled a one-timer past a sprawling Hofer to make it 4-1 at 5:51 of the third. Then a double-minor power play set up the Bruins for a pair of tallies from Marc McLaughlin and a second from Wagner to make it 6-1.

The T-Birds' power play did give itself something to build upon for Saturday, and Brady Lyle extended his point streak to six games, getting a shot through to the net at 15:15. Keean Washkurak was positioned just outside Bussi's crease to successfully tip it past the Providence goalie for Springfield's second tally of the evening.

Springfield looks to start a new winning streak on Saturday for the second leg of the three-game weekend in Bridgeport against the Islanders. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m. at Amica Mutual Pavilion. 

Thunderbirds fans can reserve their seats for upcoming games by calling (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visiting www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.