UTICA, N.Y. – The Springfield Thunderbirds (22-14-5-1) could not overcome a quick start from the Eastern Conference's top team on Saturday night at the Adirondack Bank Center, falling 5-1 to the Utica Comets (27-6-5-0).

The night did not begin on the best note for the visiting T-Birds, as defenseman Kevin Bahl slapped a point shot through heavy traffic and past Joel Hofer to give Utica the 1-0 lead just 38 seconds into the first.

Hofer and Comets starter Akira Schmid kept offenses quiet for much of the next 15 minutes of play, but Utica would find insurance as the first period drew near a conclusion. Once again, Bahl was in the middle of it, getting another point shot through traffic. This time, Hofer got a piece of it before Brian Flynn dislodged the rebound and stuffed it into the net to give the home side a 2-0 lead at the first intermission.

Utica did not show any letup to begin the second, and they added to their lead at 5:06 on a one-timer from Aarne Talvitie from the right-wing circle, set up beautifully from the opposite circle by Fabian Zetterlund.

Just 3:03 later, Joe Gambardella benefited from a fortunate bounce off the end boards into the right circle, where he backhanded a loose puck into a vacated net to make it a 4-0 score.

Springfield's power play would finally solve Schmid at 13:37, as Nathan Walker picked up his ninth goal in his last nine games at the right post, stuffing a Sam Anas feed over the goalie's shoulder for his team-leading 16th goal of the season overall. Anas' assist gave him five straight games with a helper.

Schmid, armed with a big lead, was the star of the show throughout the final two periods for Utica, turning away 22 of 23 Springfield shots in the final 40 minutes of action. A.J. Greer added one more tally for insurance into an empty net at 14:19 of the third.

The Thunderbirds get a chance at payback on Wednesday night, as they welcome these same Comets to the MassMutual Center for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop. 

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.