T-Birds Look For 2-0 Weekend vs. Hartford

Springfield, MA – The Springfield Thunderbirds, sitting at 1-0-0 on their preseason schedule, will look to make it a two-for-two weekend on Saturday as they host the Hartford Wolf Pack at the MassMutual Center for a 7:05 p.m. ET puck drop.

 

The Thunderbirds picked up a 2-1 victory in overtime on Friday night against their fellow Atlantic Division rivals, the Providence Bruins. Goaltender Sam Brittain made 30 saves for Springfield, and Rihards Bukarts scored a power play goal late in the second period for the Thunderbirds.

 

Prior to Bukarts' goal however, it was Brittain who kept the Thunderbirds' hopes alive, as he denied Mark Naclerio on a penalty shot with less than four minutes to play in the middle frame. The shorthanded penalty shot attempt could have put the Bruins up 2-0, but Brittain stood tall, and less than 60 seconds later, Bukarts tallied the tying goal for the Thunderbirds in the five-on-four advantage. 

 

Following a scoreless third period, the two squads hit the ice for three-on-three overtime, and just as quickly, the Thunderbirds picked up the winner. Following an Anthony Greco dash to the net, the speedy forward hit Chase Balisy in the slot area. Balisy, in turn, found Michael Downing in the right circle, and the defenseman rifled a one-time slapper past Bruins goalie Matt Ginn to preserve the victory for Springfield.

 

Saturday's tilt pits the Thunderbirds against their closest geographical rivals, but it will be the only time Springfield will face the Wolf Pack until the teams' first regular season meeting on Nov. 16 at the XL Center in Hartford. 

 

Tickets to the Thunderbirds' Saturday preseason tilt can be purchased for $10 each on www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com or at the MassMutual Center box office. 

Opening Night packs are available, courtesy of Dunkin’ Donuts, for the first regular season home game in Thunderbirds history. Packages start at $75 and feature two Opening Night tickets, four ticket vouchers, a commemorative puck, and a $5 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card.

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).