SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Springfield Thunderbirds will begin their preseason slate on Friday night as they host the Providence Bruins for a 7:05 p.m. ET start at the MassMutual Center.

 

Tickets for tonight's preseason contest are $10 and can be purchased by clicking here or calling (413) 739-GOAL. Thunderbirds Full Season, 22 Game and 10 Game members are reminded to use their preseason tickets included in their ticket packages.

 

The Thunderbirds and Bruins will get to know one another very well during the 2017-18 season. The two teams play a home-and-home series this weekend in preseason play, with the two squads reconvening on Saturday night at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence at 7:05 p.m. ET.

 

Once the regular season begins, three of Springfield's first five games will take place against their division rivals from Rhode Island, including two straight to open the regular season in Providence (Oct. 7, Oct. 13). By season's end, the two teams will have met 14 times. A season ago, the Thunderbirds posted a 4-6-1-1 record in 12 contests against the Bruins in 2016-17, winning each of the final two games of the season series in Springfield on April 1 and April 12.

 

Springfield's preseason roster will include familiar names from the 2016-17 season, including leading returning scorer Chase Balisy, alternate captain Ryan Horvat, and second-year forwards Dryden Hunt, Juho Lammikko, and Jayce Hawryluk. On the blue line, the Thunderbirds preseason roster includes returners Mike Downing, Thomas Schemitsch, and Matt MacKenzie.

 

The Thunderbirds open their 2017-18 home ice schedule on Saturday, Oct. 14 for a matchup with the rival Hartford Wolf Pack. Ticket memberships, including season tickets, are on sale now, starting at just $12 per game. Thunderbirds Full Season Ticket Members receive the most benefits, including a refillable collector’s mug and a commemorative jersey. For more information or to order now, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.