T-Birds Target 6th Straight W Friday vs. Devils

Springfield, MA – The Springfield Thunderbirds (19-21-1-1), winners of five straight games, will look to set a new franchise record for consecutive victories when they host the Binghamton Devils (11-21-5-2) on Friday, Jan. 19 at 7:05 p.m. inside the MassMutual Center.

 

The Devils enter Springfield enduring a rough inaugural season that has seen them score just 96 goals in their first 39 games, the lowest total in the Eastern Conference. Despite that, it was Binghamton that came away victorious in the only prior meeting between the two clubs at the Floyd L. Maines Memorial Arena in New York on Oct. 28. Binghamton came away with a 2-1 victory on that evening thanks to 28 saves by goaltender Ken Appleby.

 

Since starting the season 5-2-0-1, the Devils have had a disastrous 6-19-5-1 stretch where Binghamton has yet to register back-to-back wins since their triumphs over Springfield and Utica on Oct. 28 and Nov. 3 respectively.

 

On the contrary, the Thunderbirds have recovered from a 2-11-1-0 start to go 17-10-0-1 in their last 28 contests to move to within seven points of a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division and just within two points of fifth place in the division.

 

Springfield's offense has been clicking at a high rate over the course of the five-game winning streak, outscoring their opponents 23-10 in the last five contests. Rookie Blaine Byron provided the heroics for the Thunderbirds in an offensively potent shootout, finishing a perfect 3-for-3 clip for Springfield in the 5-4 win over the Hershey Bears on Wednesday night.

 

Six Thunderbirds players have registered point streaks of two games or longer, while Dryden Hunt (five goals in four games) and Maxim Mamin (three goals in three games) have carried goal scoring streaks of a week or longer.

 

At the other end, Sam Montembeault's rookie season continues to grow, as the netminder has won four consecutive starts, allowing just eight goals in those four contests, and just four tallies in his three wins over Hershey, Lehigh Valley, and Hartford.

 

The Thunderbirds' five-game winning streak ties the team record for consecutive wins, which was previously set from Feb. 11 to Feb. 25 of 2017.

 

Springfield has a quieter weekend slate after the Friday matchup with Binghamton, as they will take Saturday off before visiting the Providence Bruins on Sunday at 3:05 p.m. at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.

 

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.