URGENT UPDATE: The Springfield Thunderbirds fell to the Hartford Wolf Pack in a decisive 6-3 defeat on October 28, 2023, at the MassMutual Center, continuing their struggles in the Braman Pest Control I-91 Rivalry Series. This loss marks the Thunderbirds’ fifth consecutive defeat, leaving them with a record of 1-5-0-0 this season.
The Wolf Pack came out strong, determined to bounce back from a previous shutout. They dominated early, outshooting the Thunderbirds 17-4 in the first period alone. Springfield’s goaltender, Georgi Romanov, initially thwarted the Wolf Pack’s onslaught, stopping the first 13 shots. However, the tide turned when the Wolf Pack’s Brett Berard scored during a power play at 16:15, leveling the score at 1-1.
Just 2:15 later, Blake Hillman netted another goal, giving Hartford a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission. The second period saw the Wolf Pack extend their advantage rapidly as Brendan Brisson scored just 44 seconds in, followed closely by Carey Terrance and Gabe Perreault, who made it 5-1 by 2:26 into the period.
In a bid to regain momentum, the Thunderbirds switched goaltenders after the fifth goal. Leo Loof finally broke through for Springfield, scoring his first career AHL goal at 3:39, bringing the score to 5-2. However, Hartford’s McConnell-Barker quickly responded, restoring the lead to 6-2.
Despite a late power-play goal from Dalibor Dvorsky at 14:55 in the third period, the Thunderbirds could not close the gap. The game ended with the Wolf Pack claiming their second victory over Springfield in just four nights.
Hartford’s goalie, Dylan Garand, only faced 12 shots yet secured his second win against the Thunderbirds, showcasing a resilient performance despite the limited action. The Thunderbirds will seek redemption as they continue their three-game homestand, facing the Hershey Bears next on Halloween night at 7:05 p.m. in the Thunderdome.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Thunderbirds aim to turn their season around.
