BELLEVILLE, ONT - The Springfield Thunderbirds (29-34-5-2) begin their final road trip of the season on Wednesday night as they visit the Belleville Senators (26-39-2-3) for a 7:00 p.m. contest at the Yardmen Arena.

 

Springfield's first win of the 2017-18 season came against the Senators back on Oct. 22 in a 7-4 romp. Dryden Hunt recorded his first career hat trick as a professional, including two power play goals. Alex Grenier (1g, 2a) and Eddie Wittchow (3a) also added three-point games that evening, peppering Senators goalie Danny Taylor with 38 shots on the night.

 

The rough-and-tumble game also featured a combined 68 penalty minutes between the two clubs. Springfield allowed a franchise-high 10 power plays to the opposition, but killed off each and every penalty to preserve the victory.

 

The Senators sit out of the playoff picture in the North Division, but have been playing better hockey in recent weeks, climbing above the Laval Rocket into sixth place in the division standings. To this point in the season, only the Rocket (260) have allowed more goals than Belleville's 250.

 

The Thunderbirds will be looking to bounce back from a 6-5 loss on Saturday on home ice to the Utica Comets. Despite holding a 5-4 lead with less than three minutes to play, Springfield could not hold on as Utica roared back for two goals in the final moments to take a regulation win from the T-Birds.

 

Springfield will have two great chances to earn its first road victory since March 4 against the two worst defensive teams in the AHL. The Thunderbirds have scored a combined 13 goals in their two home-ice victories against Belleville and Laval.

 

The Thunderbirds return home on Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14 for Fan Appreciation Weekend, featuring the final 3-2-1 Friday and MGM Springfield Pregame Concert Series to start the weekend. Then on Saturday, the fun begins at Court Square from 4-6 p.m. for a Block Party, presented by Community Bank. Then inside, there will be 2,500 Boomer Bobbleheads as a special giveaway, compliments of Stop & Shop.

 

Springfield Thunderbirds fans are encouraged to visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com to learn more about 2018-19 Thunderbirds Season Ticket Memberships. Packages include a wide range of benefits, including the lowest prices for the 2019 AHL All Star Classic presented by MGM Springfield. For more information or to order now, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.