T-Birds Take Point in Tight Defensive Game @ Hartford

HARTFORD, Conn. - The Springfield Thunderbirds (5-4-0-2) earned a point in a tightly-played defensive contest, but the Hartford Wolf Pack (3-4-1-1) prevailed in a shootout by a final score of 2-1 on Wednesday night at the XL Center.

Coming into Wednesday's action, the T-Birds power play had its troubles away from home, going 0-for-15 in their prior four road contests. However, Springfield would not wait long at all to crack the goose egg as Drew Callin roared up the right-wing side and placed a perfect wrist shot under the crossbar, above the right-hand glove of Louis Domingue, to give the T-Birds the 1-0 lead at 2:09 of the first. Martin Frk picked up his ninth assist in nine games on Callin's second of the season.

Joel Hofer drew the starting assignment in net for Springfield, having won each of his last four starts. He did not have many tough tests in the opening period, but he kept things calm in the defensive zone, stopping each of the eight Hartford shots that entered the crease.

Hartford would bounce back with a purpose in the second, registering 14 shots on Hofer in the middle period. Lauri Pajuniemi would get the Wolf Pack even, using a defender as a screen to beat Hofer from the right-wing circle at the 6:23 mark of the middle frame, tying the game, 1-1.

Hofer needed to be at his best moments later, as, on a Springfield power play, Gustav Rydahl had a chance to break the tie on a breakaway bid, but Hofer got an arm on it to keep the score tied, a 1-1 score that stood up into the final period. Penalty kills from both teams stood out through the last 20 minutes of regulation, as the T-Birds' extended their streak to 13 consecutive penalties killed over their last three contests.

After their power-play goal to start the night, Springfield left three other man-advantage opportunities on the table. Overtime saw very little in the way of offensive chances either direction, with Hartford registering the only two shot attempts at 3-on-3. 

Jonny Brodzinski got the Wolf Pack on the board first in round two of the shootout, beating Hofer over the glove hand. Needing to score to keep the game alive, Will Bitten got the job done in the top of the third round, but Will Cuylle tallied in the fourth round of the shootout, and when Nathan Todd rang his attempt off the iron, the Wolf Pack escaped with the victory.

Springfield's three-game road swing this week continues on Friday night with a 7:05 p.m. tangle in Allentown, Pa. against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

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.