T-Birds Open 3-in-3 vs. Sound Tigers Friday

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Springfield Thunderbirds (15-10-2-3) begin their final three-game weekend of 2018 on Friday night as they host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (18-9-4-1) for a 7:05 p.m. matchup at the MassMutual Center.

The Thunderbirds currently boast a 2-3-1-0 record against their division rival Sound Tigers in the 2018-19 season. Bridgeport came away with a 5-3 win in the last meeting between the clubs on Dec. 15 at the Webster Bank Arena. Michael Dal Colle scored twice for Bridgeport on two shots en route to being named CCM/AHL Player of the Week.

In the last meeting between the two clubs in Springfield, the Sound Tigers ended a losing streak at the MassMutual Center that dated back to March of 2017. Bridgeport came away with a 5-4 overtime win on Dec. 2 thanks to Josh Ho-Sang's overtime game-winning tally. That afternoon marked the first time all season that Sam Montembeault was credited with a loss on home ice, even though he came on in relief of Chris Driedger.

After the two teams rekindle their rivalry on Friday, they do not meet again until Feb. 23 at Webster Bank Arena. Springfield hops right on the bus and will skate on Saturday night at the War Memorial in Syracuse against the Crunch (18-8-2-0 entering weekend). Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.

The two clubs split the two matchups inside the MassMutual Center to start their season series. Syracuse came away with a 3-0 win on Nov. 24, while the Thunderbirds came away victorious by a final score of 3-2 on Dec. 19.

Springfield will then stay on the road on Sunday afternoon for a 3:00 p.m. matinee with the Hartford Wolf Pack (14-14-1-2 entering weekend) at the XL Center in Hartford. Remarkably, the T-Birds and Wolf Pack have only met once prior to this weekend, with Springfield coming away with a 6-2 triumph on Oct. 28 at the MassMutual Center behind a five-point night from Jayce Hawryluk.

The Wolf Pack enter the weekend having played some of their best hockey of the season, winning each of their final three games entering the Christmas holiday break. Hartford has also defended home ice to the tune of an 8-5-1-0 mark inside the XL Center in their first 14 home games.

After the three-game weekend, the Thunderbirds will begin the New Year exactly where they ended 2018 with a rematch against the Wolf Pack on Friday, Jan. 4 at the XL Center, with puck drop slated for 7:15 p.m.

Springfield Thunderbirds fans are encouraged to visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com to learn more about 2018-19 Thunderbirds Season Ticket Memberships. Packages include a wide range of benefits, including the lowest prices for the 2019 Lexus AHL All-Star Classic presented by MGM Springfield. For more information or to order now, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com