SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Springfield Thunderbirds (12-6-1-2) will skate in three games in the span of three nights to close the week, beginning with a 7:00 matchup on Friday in Utica against the Comets (10-13-1-1) at the Adirondack Bank Center.

 

Utica has had unusual difficulty on its home ice in the 2018-19 season, posting a record of just 4-7-0-0 at the Adirondack Bank Center. They have also allowed an Eastern Conference high 94 goals in 25 games thus far.

 

The Comets have been paced up front my reigning AHL All-Star Reid Boucher, who has 11 goals and 19 points through just 15 games played. Second-year winger Zack MacEwen has added 10 goals and 19 points of his own.

 

Springfield has picked up five out of a possible six points in their last three games played. Their lone loss in that stretch was a 5-4 overtime defeat at the hands of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Sunday afternoon at the MassMutual Center. The Thunderbirds erased a 4-1 second period deficit to force overtime, with Sebastian Repo tallying a goal and an assist to key the comeback. Josh Ho-Sang would snap the T-Birds' modest two-game winning streak with a breakaway goal in overtime. The Sound Tigers' victory was their first at Springfield since March of 2017.

 

The Thunderbirds' weekend stretch continues on Saturday night for the 3rd Annual Teddy Bear Toss presented by Teddy Bear Pools & Spas. The night marks the first matchup of the season between the T-Birds and the Charlotte Checkers (17-6-1-0 entering weekend). Thunderbirds head coach Geordie Kinnear will take on his former club, which he and his team defeated in three of their four meetings inside the MassMutual Center a season ago. The Checkers enter the weekend with the best record in the Eastern Conference and a conference-high 35 points.

 

After the meeting with their newest divisional foes, the Thunderbirds get right back on the ice for a battle with the Binghamton Devils (10-11-3-0 entering the weekend) on Sunday at 3:05 p.m. at the MassMutual Center. It marks the Devils' first trip to the MassMutual Center this season, and it also stands to be potentially the first game for Jacob MacDonald against his former club. The 2017-18 AHL All-Star has posted seven goals and eight assists, including 10 power play points and team-best +7 rating for Springfield through his first 18 games.

 

Springfield Thunderbirds fans are encouraged to visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com to learn more about 2018-19 Thunderbirds Season Ticket Memberships. Packages include a wide range of benefits, including the lowest prices for the 2019 Lexus AHL All-Star Classic presented by MGM Springfield. For more information or to order now, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.