Springfield, MA - The Springfield Thunderbirds (12-18-1-0) will play their third of five consecutive home games at the MassMutual Center on Friday night, as they host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (13-11-2-1) for the third time in 14 nights.

 

Springfield has won two straight against the Sound Tigers, with the home team winning each of the four games thus far in the season series. In the teams' last meeting on Dec. 15, the sides traded goals through the opening 40 minutes, with the Thunderbirds eventually holding on for a 5-4 victory.

 

The Thunderbirds' clicking offense chased Bridgeport starting goaltender Christopher Gibson from the game in the middle period by virtue of scoring five times on 19 shots. Kristers Gudlevskis would only need to make five saves on five shots in relief of Gibson in the defeat.

 

At the other end, Sam Montembeault picked up the first of two straight wins on the weekend with 29 stops, including a perfect 12-for-12 showing in a third period that saw Bridgeport outshoot Springfield 12-2.

 

Springfield has won its last three home contests against the Sound Tigers, outscoring them 16-7 in the process. Ryan Horvat had a goal and two assists in his return to the Springfield lineup last Friday, whileJuho Lammikko also added a goal and two assists. Horvat will be unavailable to the Thunderbirds this weekend, however, as he serves a two-game suspension.

 

The Sound Tigers snapped a five-game losing skid on Saturday in a 3-2 overtime defeat of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, but fell in another overtime contest on Sunday, a 3-2 loss at the hands of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

 

Bridgeport has skated past regulation in six of their last ten games, and the Sound Tigers have scuffled in December, with a record of just 2-4-1-1 this month. In the midst of the struggles, Bridgeport's power play has undergone an improvement, going 3-of-6 over its last two contests. Both teams' power plays were silent in the game last Saturday, with Bridgeport going 7-for-7 on the penalty kill and Springfield going a perfect 6 out of 6.

 

The Thunderbirds complete their five-game homestand on Saturday night with a pre-holiday tuneup with the Providence Bruins at the MassMutual Center. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. ET.

 

Springfield Thunderbirds fans are encouraged to visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com to learn more about Thunderbirds Ticket Memberships. Packages include a wide range of benefits, including a refillable collector’s mug. For more information or to order now, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.