Bruins Top T-Birds in Preseason Opener

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Springfield Thunderbirds returned to the ice for preseason action, falling 4-2 to the Providence Bruins on Friday night inside the MassMutual Center in exhibition play.

The T-Birds got off to a 1-0 lead at the 6:23 mark of the first. Nathan Todd dug a puck out of the left-wing corner and spotted Myles McGurty at the right point with a diagonal pass. McGurty's shot glanced off Providence goalie Brandon Bussi, but Greg Printz was positioned perfectly to let the rebound carom off his chest and across the goal line to give Springfield the edge.

That was it on the scoreboard in the opening 20 minutes, as rookie Vadim Zherenko was stout in the Thunderbirds goal crease, denying a dozen Providence shot attempts. Springfield did not go shorthanded in the opening period, while the Bruins killed off a pair of T-Birds man advantages.

Providence had the bulk of the chances in a middle period that saw the visitors outshoot Springfield 18-4. The Bruins earned three power play opportunities, the third of which resulted in the game-tying goal by Georgii Merkulov at 14:43 off a feed from defenseman Victor Berglund.

Just 2:24 later, Springfield restored its lead on a quirky 2-on-1 rush into the Providence zone. Brayden Guy protected the puck into the right circle, but had it swept off his blade by a Bruins defender. The sweep check knocked the puck right into the stick of Nick Isaacson, who deflected it on through Bussi's equipment to make it a 2-1 lead for the T-Birds at 17:07.

That lead would only last for 56 seconds, as Luke Toporowski evened the score on a cross-crease pass from Justin Brazeau at 18:08, sending the game into the third in a 2-2 tie. Providence pulled away in the third on goals from Mitchell Fossier at 2:55 and Curtis Hall at 9:49. Zherenko's busy night concluded with 33 saves on 37 shots. Bussi got the victory with 22 saves on the night.

The Thunderbirds begin their 2022-23 regular season by unveiling their Eastern Conference Championship banner on Opening Night on Saturday, October 15 as they welcome the Bridgeport Islanders for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop. The day begins with a Block Party, presented by Community Bank N.A., from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Court Square, featuring live music by Fever.

Thunderbirds fans can reserve their seats for the 2022-23 season and lock in the best prices and member benefits by calling (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visiting www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.