T-Birds Suffocate Phantoms, 3-1

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Springfield Thunderbirds (26-14-5-2) received a stellar defensive effort from the collective unit in a 3-1 win over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (17-19-6-3) on Sunday afternoon at the PPL Center to maintain their position atop the Atlantic Division.

A relatively quiet first period saw little in the way of action for Springfield starting netminder Charlie Lindgren, who blocked the five Phantoms shots he faced in the opening 20 minutes. Things were slightly busier for Phantom netminder Kirill Ustimenko, who fended off 10 Thunderbird attempts, including a handful on Springfield's lone first-period power play. 

Springfield's fourth line would get the scoring started at the 4:11 mark of the second period when Keean Washkurak stepped around Adam Clendening at the Phantoms line to start a 2-on-1 for Mathias Laferriere and Drew Callin. Laferriere looked off the pass and fired a shot from the left circle that bounced off the glove of Ustimenko and down to the feet of Callin who shuffled the rebound home to give the T-Birds the 1-0 edge. It was Callin's second goal and third point in his last three contests. 

As the game passed its midpoint, Lehigh Valley would get back even under unfortunate circumstances. As Tyler Tucker looked to step out from behind his net, he appeared to get tripped up by Phantoms forward Charlie Gerard, but no penalty was called, and as a result, Tanner Laczynski jumped up to steal the puck and wrist a shot over Lindgren from the right-wing circle at 10:42 to tie the game, 1-1. It was Laczynski's first goal of the season in just his second game back from injury.

The game started to open up more offensively in the back half of the second period, but Ustimenko and Lindgren were up to the challenge, bringing their save totals to 19 (Ustimenko) and 15 (Lindgren) as the game went to the final period deadlocked.

Springfield would go ahead for good at 8:25 of the third period as James Neal sneaked a shot past Ustimenko on the glove side from a severe angle to give the T-Birds the 2-1 lead. It was Neal's fourth goal in as many games, and it would go down at the game-winner.

Lehigh Valley would not be able to get any closer to denting Lindgren, who was perfect in the third period on nine shots. He has now stopped 45 of 47 shots in his two victories against Lehigh Valley this season.

The Thunderbirds, who remain first in the Atlantic Division with the win, return home on Wednesday, Feb. 23 to kick off a five-game homestand against the Bridgeport Islanders. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. inside the MassMutual Center. 

For more information on the Springfield Thunderbirds and to order tickets, please visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com. To learn more about becoming a Thunderbirds ticket member, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) to speak to a Thunderbirds representative.