Springfield, MA– On Veterans Day, the Springfield Thunderbirds (5-4-1-0) kick off the last of three consecutive three-game weekends as they welcome the  St. John's IceCaps (6-5-1-0) to the MassMutual Center on Friday for a 7:05 p.m. ET puck drop.

In celebration of Veterans Day, all active and veteran military personnel are eligible to receive a free ticket to the game. This military offer is available via walk-up sales at the MassMutual Center box office only. 

On the ice, it is a rematch of the Thunderbirds' home Opening Night from Oct. 22, an evening that saw Springfield erase a 4-2 deficit in the third period on goals from Ian McCoshen and Dryden Hunt.

As the game made its way to overtime, the Thunderbirds quickly capped off the comeback as Chase Balisy found MacKenzie Weegar for the game winning goal in the 5-4 triumph. 

Springfield has fallen on tougher times lately, as they went 0-2-1 a weekend ago against Hershey, Lehigh Valley, and Binghamton. The Thunderbirds saw third period leads slip away on Friday in a 3-2 overtime loss at home to the Bears, as well as on Saturday in a 6-4 defeat in Allentown against the Phantoms.

Offensively, Balisy and Paul Thompson lead Thunderbirds skaters with seven points in the first ten games. Of the Thunderbirds' five power play goals this season, Balisy has a point on three of them (one goal, two assists). 

The Thunderbirds have continued to rely upon the veteran duo of Mike McKenna and Reto Berra in the blue paint. Despite a tough defeat in Allentown on Nov. 5, Berra maintains strong 2.21 goals-against average and .916 save percentage figures. McKenna, meanwhile, has earned at least a point in three of his last four starts. 

St. John's has been prone to high-scoring games for much of the 2016-17 season. While the IceCaps have scored 42 goals, the highest figure in the Eastern Conference, they have also allowed 39 goals against, second-worst in the East behind Hartford.  

The IceCaps will be without Sven Andrighetto, who recorded three points in the teams' first matchup on Oct. 22, as the Swiss-born forward was recalled by the Montreal Canadiens.

For fans in attendance at the MassMutual Center, tonight marks another $1 Night and Pregame Concert Series presented by MGM Springfield. The musical act tonight features Eagle Eyes. Tickets are available online at www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.

Following the conclusion of action Friday, the Thunderbirds immediately take to the road for a rematch on Saturday in Binghamton against the Senators. First puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. ET on NewsRadio 560 WHYN. 

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).