T-Birds Visit Hartford for Wednesday Tilt
Dec 7, 2016Hartford, CT– The Springfield Thunderbirds (8-8-3-2) will face off on a Wednesday night against the Hartford Wolf Pack (7-11-3-0) for the second time in three weeks at the XL Center for a 7:00 p.m. ET puck drop.
The team's respective streaks took 180-degree turns on Nov. 16, as the Wolf Pack prevailed over Springfield in a shootout by the final score of 3-2. At the time, the win snapped a Hartford losing streak that stretched eight games. Unfortunately for the Thunderbirds, the loss that evening was the second loss of a seven-game slide that saw Springfield go 0-4-1-2 in that span.
The Wolf Pack has improved its game lately, picking up two wins in their last three road games over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Toronto Marlies. Magnus Hellberg has started each of the last six games in the goal for Ken Gernander's team, going 3-2-1-0 in that stretch.
The Thunderbirds snapped their seven-game slide by virtue of a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday against the Providence Bruins at the MassMutual Center. Sena Acolatse completed a Gordie Howe hat trick (goal, assist, fight) by setting up Shane Harper's overtime winner. Paul Thompson also scored for the Thunderbirds prior to his recall on Sunday to the Florida Panthers.
Springfield picked up another standings point in yet another overtime tilt with Providence on Sunday at the Dunkin' Donuts Center, the third straight game in which Providence and Springfield needed extra time. Alex Grant, a former Springfield Falcon, beat Mike McKenna off the rush in the 3-on-3 period to earn a split of the weekend series for the Bruins, who sit four points ahead of the Thunderbirds in the Atlantic Division standings.
Prior to taking the ice on Wednesday, the Thunderbirds made one other roster transaction, recalling forward Joey Diamond from the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL. The diminutive Diamond (5-8, 175 lbs.) was having a strong start to his season in Manchester, potting 11 goals and 11 assists in 19 games.
Diamond and the Thunderbirds will continue its first of two separate four-game road stretches when they fly north of the border to take on the St. John's IceCaps at 6:00 p.m. ET on Friday and Saturday. All games can be heard on NewsRadio 560 WHYN.
Interested in being part of the next era of AHL hockey in Springfield? Springfield Thunderbirds Season Ticket Memberships start as low as $12 per game and feature the most exclusive benefits, including a commemorative jersey. For more information, fans may call the Thunderbirds ticket office at (413) 739-GOAL (4625).