SPRINGFIELD, Mass.  - The Springfield Thunderbirds mounted a third-period charge to force overtime, but ultimately fell 4-3 to the Providence Bruins on Friday night in exhibition action inside the MassMutual Center.

Providence opened the scoring just 1:14 into the first period as Robert Cronin netted a power-play strike past Parker Gahagen.

The Bruins would outshoot Springfield 14-6 in the first period, and the visitors added one more when Kalle Vaisanen cashed in on a rebound at the net front at 15:40 to make it 2-0 heading into the middle frame.

The Providence penalty killing unit was the busiest group on the ice in the middle stanza, as the Bruins were forced to go shorthanded five different times, but Simon Zajicek kept Springfield off the board with 17 stops through 40 minutes. 

Ryan Tattle added to the Bruins lead when he beat Gahagen from the right circle at the 50-second mark of the third to make it 3-0.

Things looked dormant on the offensive front for Springfield until captain Chris Wagner broke the T-Birds' goose egg with a one-time goal from newcomer T.J. Tynan at 12:45.

Not even two minutes later, Matt Demelis pulled the T-Birds to within one at 3-2 as he found a loose puck in the low slot and roofed it over Zajicek.

With Gahagen on the bench, Justin Carbonneau tied it with 1:20 remaining on a jam play at the side of the goal, forcing overtime. However, Carbonneau was whistled for a slash in overtime, and Cross Hanas tallied on the ensuing 4-on-3 power play to give Providence the 4-3 triumph. 

The T-Birds and Bruins reconvene on Saturday night in Providence for one final tune-up before the regular season. Springfield begins the 2026-27 season in Wilkes-Barre for a rematch of the Atlantic Division Finals against the Penguins. The puck drops at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday, October 3. 

Thunderbirds' 2026-27 season tickets are available now - fans can reserve their seat by visiting www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com or by calling (413) 739-GOAL (4625).