Bridgeport, CT – The Springfield Thunderbirds (0-1-0) hope to bounce back from a 4-2 Saturday night loss in their season opener as they visit the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (1-0-0) at Webster Bank Arena at 3:00 p.m. ET. Coverage can be heard on NewsRadio 560 WHYN and on the iHeartMedia app.

 

The Thunderbirds found themselves on the defensive quickly into the first period of its inaugural season on Saturday, as the Phantoms struck first off the stick of Mark Zengerle just 56 seconds into the first period. Zengerle was parked to the left of Thunderbirds starting goaltender Mike McKenna, and the puck found the new Phantom, who lifted the puck past McKenna to give the Phantoms the early lead.

 

A 3-1 first period start for the Phantoms proved to be too much for the Thunderbirds on a night when Anthony Stolarz made 31 saves in the Lehigh Valley net.

 

Anthony Greco and Dryden Hunt picked up their first AHL goals, as well as the first two goals in Thunderbirds history, in the effort. With 3:19 left in the first, Greco had a wrist shot attempt knocked down by Stolarz into the right wing corner. As Stolarz scrambled to get back to the post, Greco fired the puck to the goal crease area, banking it off of the goaltender and into the net.

 

Hunt's goal became the first power play goal in Thunderbirds history in the third period. On a night when the Thunderbirds hit four posts on power play chances and finished their night with just one conversion in seven power play chances, Hunt parked himself in the high slot and one-timed a Chase Balisy pass through Stolarz for his first AHL goal.

 

Another first was checked off in the form of fisticuffs as Paul Thompson challenged Danick Martel late in the first period. Greco's goal came less than five minutes after the Thompson scrap.

 

Following the Sunday matinee, the Thunderbirds play one more road game before the home opener, as they will travel to northeast Pennsylvania for a date with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins on Friday, Oct. 21 at 7:05 p.m. ET. 

 

The Thunderbirds will then open their home ice schedule at the MassMutual Center on Saturday, Oct. 22 for Opening Night presented by MGM Springfield against the St. John's Ice Caps. Preceding the game is the T-Birds Tailgate from 4-6 p.m. at Court Square, adjacent to the MassMutual Center. 

Opening Night packs are available, courtesy of Dunkin’ Donuts, for the first regular season home game in Thunderbirds history. Packages start at $75 and feature two Opening Night tickets, four ticket vouchers, a commemorative puck, and a $5 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card.

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).