(Photo Courtesy Jon Tenca/Puck Stopper Photography)

Bridgeport, CT- The Springfield Thunderbirds (17-20-6-2) will return to the scene of their Saturday success on Tuesday as they visit the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (26-16-1-1) at the Webster Bank Arena for a 7:05 p.m. ET puck drop. 

When the two teams last met on Saturday, it was the Thunderbirds who stifled their opposition, even though they had to start the game from behind following a goal at 5:24 of the first from Sound Tigers defenseman Kyle Burroughs.  

Although they had only won three prior times when allowing the game's first goal, the Thunderbirds had a good response to the game’s opening goal. On a quick passing play at 11:40, Eric Robinson spottedKyle Rau to the left of Bridgeport goaltender Stephon Williams. Rau then quickly shifted from the backhand to the forehand to slide the puck under the legs of the goalie to tie the score, 1-1. 

Rau would be far from finished on the night, and in the second period, he slammed home his own rebound to give Springfield a 2-1 edge at 8:31.  

After Bridgeport got the equalizer, 2-2, the see-saw game continued, and Juho Lammikko put the Thunderbirds back in front, 3-2, on a quick snap shot past Sound Tigers goaltender Stephon Williams at 15:23. 

Springfield’s penalty kill kept strong following  and extended their season-best  penalty kill streak to 27 in a row. Fending off Bridgeport’s toughest advance in the third, Rau finished off his historic night, garnering the first hat trick in T-Birds history at 12:08 of the final period. After a Ryan Horvat shot was knocked down in front, Rau dug the puck out of Williams’ equipment and beat the goaltender on the backhand for his final tally of the night.

Bridgeport got no closer from there, and when Anthony Greco hit the empty net at 17:20, the Sound Tigers’ eight game win streak streak came to an abrupt end. Berra’s 25 stops at the other end snapped the goaltender’s personal five game losing skid.

The Thunderbirds are back on MassMutual Center ice on Friday, Feb. 10 as Ric Flair makes a visit to Springfield for "Throwback Night" with a piece of Flair. Flair's special appearance, presented by Big Y and Lia Auto Group. Additionally, the evening also marks Big Y Family Night, where Big Y Silver Savings Club Card holders can save $5 on tickets (NOTE: this offer cannot be combined with Ric Flair packages).

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.