T-Birds Go For Weekend Sweep of Bruins
Springfield, MA- The Springfield Thunderbirds (14-12-4-2) will look to piggy-back one of their strongest performances of the season on Saturday as they host the Providence Bruins (19-8-4-3) at the MassMutual Center.
Preceding the puck drop tonight is a special rendition of the national anthem, to be performed by Boston anthem legend Rene Rancourt.
With the Bruins entering action on Friday riding a six-game winning streak, the Thunderbirds showed no mercy or fear, racing out to a 2-0 first period lead.
Juho Lammikko opened the scoring after was left unchecked on the doorstep, where the rookie knocked home a rebound to give Springfield a 1-0 lead at 7:39 of the first.
Jayce Hawryluk, who recorded two assists on the night, then made life difficult for Bruins goalie Malcolm Subban, who played it right onto the Springfield forward’s stick. Hawryluk, in turn, fed Chase Balisy in the slot, and the Thunderbirds’ leading scorer finished into the vacated net to make it a 2-0 Springfield lead at 13:26.
Providence fought back in the third, as they finally struck on their third power play chance of the night at 6:40, with Alex Grant blasting a point try through traffic and past Berra to make it a 2-1 game.
With the Bruins knocking on the door, Tyler Randell then killed his team’s momentum by taking a major penalty and game misconduct for boarding Mike Downing.
After going 4:55 of the 5:00 advantage without denting Subban, Josh Brown then ripped a slapper that made its way in front, where Brody Sutter shuffled home the loose puck to give Springfield added insurance and a 3-1 lead.
With Providence attacking 6-on-5 in the final moments, MacKenzie Weegar then picked up his eighth goal of the season into an empty twine to wrap up the 4-1 win.
Juho Lammikko opened the scoring after was left unchecked on the doorstep, where the rookie knocked home a rebound to give Springfield a 1-0 lead at 7:39 of the first.
Jayce Hawryluk, who recorded two assists on the night, then made life difficult for Bruins goalie Malcolm Subban, who played it right onto the Springfield forward’s stick. Hawryluk, in turn, fed Chase Balisy in the slot, and the Thunderbirds’ leading scorer finished into the vacated net to make it a 2-0 Springfield lead at 13:26.
Providence fought back in the third, as they finally struck on their third power play chance of the night at 6:40, with Alex Grant blasting a point try through traffic and past Berra to make it a 2-1 game.
With the Bruins knocking on the door, Tyler Randell then killed his team’s momentum by taking a major penalty and game misconduct for boarding Mike Downing.
After going 4:55 of the 5:00 advantage without denting Subban, Josh Brown then ripped a slapper that made its way in front, where Brody Sutter shuffled home the loose puck to give Springfield added insurance and a 3-1 lead.
With Providence attacking 6-on-5 in the final moments, MacKenzie Weegar then picked up his eighth goal of the season into an empty twine to wrap up the 4-1 win.
The loss for the Bruins was their first in seven games, and only their second defeat in the last dozen contests. Both the Thunderbirds and Bruins have won two of four matchups in the season series. Springfield has won four consecutive games at the MassMutual Center dating back to Dec. 3 against the Bruins.
Springfield, by virtue of its win and a regulation loss by the Hershey Bears, now sits just nine points back of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference's tough Atlantic Division. The Thunderbirds also hold a game-in-hand on Hershey.
Interested in being part of the next era of AHL hockey in Springfield? Springfield Thunderbirds 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) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.
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