T-Birds Visit Devils in Binghamton

Binghamton, NY - The Springfield Thunderbirds (1-7-1-0) will hit the road on Saturday seeking its first road win since March as they visit the Binghamton Devils (3-2-1-0) at the Floyd L. Maines Memorial Arena for a 7:05 p.m. ET start.

 

The Thunderbirds have hit a road funk since the late stages of the 2016-17 season, dropping 11 in a row away from the MassMutual Center. However, tonight they get to face the team they last defeated on the road last March 17. The Devils, at the time based in Albany, fell 2-1 in a shootout on that night to Springfield. Thomas Schemitsch provided the shootout winning goal in the sixth round.

 

The Devils have gotten off to a 3-2-1-0 start in their first season in Binghamton. 20-year-old goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood has played in five of the six games, registering an .877 save percentage and 3.80 goals against average. Up front, Nick Lappin and John Quenneville (4g, 2a each) have paced the Devils, who have lost two of their first three home games this season.

 

Ironically, the Devils have had the majority of their success away from home, getting points in all three road contests to start their season (2-0-1-0).

 

Springfield will come into play in Binghamton coming off of a 5-2 loss on Friday to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Despite the loss, the Thunderbirds received another strong performance from linemates Juho Lammikko and Maxim Mamin. Lammikko picked up his second goal and eighth point of the season after having just 11 points a season ago. Mamin, meanwhile, picked up his fifth point in three games and first AHL goal on a one-time pass from Alex Grenier in the opening period.

 

At the other end, goaltender Harri Sateri appeared in relief of Sam Montembeault and finished the night with a perfect 12-save third period for the Thunderbirds.

 

Last season, the Thunderbirds and Devils went beyond regulation in three of the four regular season meetings. Springfield enjoyed success against New Jersey's AHL affiliate, going 3-0-1-0 in the four contests.

 

Following Saturday's visit to Binghamton, the Thunderbirds will have another three-game, three-night weekend on the slate next week, beginning with a Friday night home matchup against the Hartford Wolf Pack for Willie O'Ree Night on November 3 at 7:05 p.m. ET. It will double as a 3-2-1 Friday with concession deals through the end of the first period.

 

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.