T-Birds Ride 9-Game Win Streak into 3-in-3

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Springfield Thunderbirds (24-17-1-4) ride a team-record winning streak of nine games into a three-game, three-day road trip this weekend. It begins Friday night at Amica Mutual Pavilion for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop against the first-place Providence Bruins (29-9-7-2). The two clubs will also match up on Sunday afternoon at 3:05 p.m. in Providence.

On Saturday night, another divisional battle looms inside Total Mortgage Arena, where the T-Birds will visit the Bridgeport Islanders (19-19-7-1) for a 7:00 p.m. contest.

The Thunderbirds will have a vastly different roster from the last time they squared off against the Bruins on Dec. 3, the clubs' fifth meeting of 2022-23. The Bruins have won four of the first five meetings, holding the Springfield offense to just 12 goals over those five games. During their nine-game win streak, Springfield has outscored the opposition 39-15, averaging 4.33 goals per game in that time while allowing a minuscule 1.67 goals against. 

The Bruins also have yet to face a Thunderbirds team featuring Matthew Peca this season, as the T-Birds' veteran centerman has been lighting up opposing netminders since his return to the lineup on Jan. 13. Peca's 15 points in 12 games are tied for sixth-most in the AHL dating back to his return, and defenseman Brady Lyle also has posted 15 points in that time frame, the second-most among AHL blueliners. 

Joel Hofer, the T-Birds All-Star netminder, enters the weekend riding a six-game win streak of his own, which includes a league-best 1.64 goals against average since Jan. 17 among qualified goalies. He has allowed just 10 goals on his last 189 shots faced. Vadim Zherenko has been equally splendid in net, as the rookie backstop is 3-0 with a .949 save percentage in his last three outings, stopping 94 of 99 shots.

The T-Birds' visit to Bridgeport on Saturday marks the 10th of 12 meetings between the rivals in a busy season series. Springfield is 6-3-0-0 in the first nine installments, including wins in each of the last two meetings in Bridgeport. All-Star Matthew Highmore has been a one-man demolition crew against the Islanders, posting 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in nine games, while Nikita Alexandrov has added seven goals and 11 points in just six games.

The T-Birds will seek their first ten-game win streak in team history on Friday, and a win or overtime loss would also set the T-Birds' team record for most consecutive games earning at least one standings point. Springfield enters the weekend tied for fourth in the Atlantic Division with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, but Springfield has played in two fewer games than Lehigh Valley.

At the conclusion of this three-game weekend, the T-Birds return to the Thunderdome for a trio of contests on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. 

Thunderbirds fans can reserve their seats to upcoming games by calling (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visiting www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.