T-Birds Visit Binghamton; Florida Assigns F Harper to SPR

Binghamton, NY– The Springfield Thunderbirds (6-4-1-0) continue their third consecutive weekend of three games in three nights on Saturday as they tangle with the Binghamton Senators (3-6-0-1) at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena at 7:05 p.m. ET.

 

The Thunderbirds are coming off of one of their most complete performances of the season in a 3-1 victory against St. John's on Friday in Springfield. Reto Berra made 20 saves on 21 shots while Sena Acolatse and Stephen MacAulay provided their first goals of the season to make the difference.

 

Acolatse's power play goal at 8:13 of the first was the quickest goal to start a game this season for Springfield, and MacAulay's third-period marker provided some added insurance. 

 

The tide of the game could have changed just under five minutes into the second period when Berra was forced to face a penalty shot after IceCaps forward Mark MacMillan was taken down on a breakaway attempt. Berra stood up to the challenge, knocking away the forehand attempt to preserve the Thunderbirds lead, a lead that the IceCaps would not be able to erase.

 

The first meeting between Springfield and Binghamton last Sunday at the MassMutual Center was a tentative affair, with each side mustering single goals in the first and second periods. With the score deadlocked at 1-1 with less than five minutes to play, Max McCormick fired a quick snap shot that eluded Mike McKenna to end Binghamton's four-game losing streak.

 

Coming off a 4-2 loss on home ice to the Providence Bruins on Friday, the Senators will look to pick up their second win in the span of six days against Springfield.

 

In other roster news, the Florida Panthers announced on Saturday that forward Shane Harper has been assigned to the Thunderbirds following Florida's waiver claim of former Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Seth Griffith. 

 

A native of Valencia, Calif., the 27-year-old Harper made his NHL debut with the Panthers this season, scoring two goals and three points in 14 games with Florida. He is a veteran of 340 AHL games dating back to 2009. 

 

Coverage of the Thunderbirds' affair in Binghamton kicks off at 7:05 p.m. ET on NewsRadio 560 WHYN, with pre-game beginning 15 minutes beforehand. Fans can listen live through the iHeartRadio app on your mobile or tablet devices.

 

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).