Thunderbirds Go For 5 Straight Wins @ Providence

Mar 18, 2017

Providence, RI - The Springfield Thunderbirds (26-26-8-2) look to tie a franchise record win streak as they go for their fifth straight triumph on Saturday night against the Providence Bruins (35-18-5-4) at the Dunkin' Donuts Center for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop. 

The Bruins have had loads of success against Springfield at the Dunkin' Donuts Center this season, going 4-1-0-0 in the first five tangles in Providence. Zane McIntyre recorded his first career AHL shutout in a 3-0 Providence win on Feb. 26 in the clubs' last meeting. McIntyre was in net an evening ago for Providence's huge 3-0 shutout win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The win bumps Providence two points ahead of Bridgeport as they, the Hershey Bears, and Sound Tigers joust for two available playoff spots.

McIntyre leads the AHL in both goals against average (1.93) and save percentage (.935). For the Thunderbirds, though, Adam Wilcox has been just as stellar in his last three starts, going 3-0 and allowing just three goals in the three triumphs, including his first shutout as a Thunderbird on Sunday against Rochester.

Wilcox again starred in a big way on Friday night in Albany. He had his shutout streak snapped at 133:06 when Jacob MacDonald tied the score, 1-1 late in the third period. Not to be outdone, though, Wilcox kept Albany off the scoresheet in 3-on-3 overtime and then through six shootout attempts. All it took for Springfield to earn the win was a beautiful Thomas Schemitsch shootout winner in the top of round six.

Springfield is now 9-1-0-0 in its last ten games that took place in the midst of three-game weekends. The Thunderbirds have won eight of their last 12 contests overall.

The Thunderbirds saw the three-game goal streaks of both Paul Thompson and Anthony Greco come to a close, but Dryden Hunt and Jared McCann continued their torrid times of late. Hunt picked up an assist in his fourth straight game, while McCann added an assist on a Chase Balisy power play goal in the second, giving the 20-year-old McCann seven helpers in his last seven games.

The Thunderbirds will get another crack at their Friday opponents on Sunday afternoon when the Devils visit the MassMutual Center for a 3:05 p.m. ET puck drop to close out the teams' season series. 

Interested in being part of the next era of AHL hockey in Springfield? Springfield Thunderbirds 2017-18 Ticket Memberships start as low as $12 per game and feature the most exclusive benefits, including a commemorative jersey and brand new Collectors Mug. For more information, fans may call the Thunderbirds ticket office at (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.

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