Springfield, MA – The Springfield Thunderbirds (3-1-0) look to continue their winning ways on Friday night as they welcome the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (2-2-0) to the MassMutual Center for a 7:05 p.m. ET puck drop. Tonight marks the first $1 Night, with hot dogs, sodas, and popcorn on sale for just a dollar through the start of the second period.

 

The Thunderbirds and Sound Tigers met on Oct. 16 at Webster Bank Arena in the clubs' first contest. With the support of goals from MacKenzie Weegar and Brody Sutter, Springfield prevailed 2-1 in the franchise's first-ever victory.

 

Reto Berra got the start in net 12 nights ago in Bridgeport, and the Swiss goalie turnedaside 17 of 18 shots to pick up his first of two victories. Berra has allowed just one goal in his first two starts with the Thunderbirds with a save percentage of .976. 

 

The Thunderbirds have won three straight games since a season-opening 4-2 loss against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Oct. 15. Of the 10 goals scored by the Thunderbirds this season, either Weegar (two goals, two assists) or Dryden Hunt (three goals, one assist) has had a hand in seven of those tallies. The 20-year-old Hunt is tied for second among AHL rookies with his three goals.

 

The Thunderbirds showed their comeback resolve on Oct. 22 in their last game, the home opener against the St. John's IceCaps. Trailing 4-2 with less than nine minutes in regulation, Ian McCoshen and Hunt scored in the span of less than two minutes to tie the score, and with the sellout crowd providing the energy, Weegar buried the game-winning goal in overtime's second minute to move Springfield's record to 3-1-0.

 

The Sound Tigers have had a see-saw campaign to this point, holding a win-loss pattern through their first four games. They are coming off a 5-2 defeat at the hands of the Hershey Bears last Saturday. Tanner Fritz scored both goals for Bridgeport in the loss. Stephon Williams gave up four goals on 20 shots faced for the Sound Tigers. Williams got the loss on Oct. 16 against Springfield, a night where he made 23 saves on 25 shots.

 

In celebration of this sell out milestone, the Thunderbirds will be offering up to $5 off the price of a ticket for tonight's and tomorrow's games.  This is an opportunity both for those who were unable to make it to Opening Night as well as those who want to come back for more. Tonight's game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers is $1 Night (with $1 hot dogs, soda, and popcorn) and launches the Pregame Concert Series presented by MGM Springfield. Tonight's featured music act is Peter Newland & RadioXile. Saturday against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins features T-Birds Trick or Treat for Halloween. Each game is set for a 7:05 p.m. ET puck drop.

 

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).