Another O-Fer - T-Birds All-Star Shuts Out Hartford

March 8, 2023 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Thunderbirds News Release

Springfield Thunderbirds' Joel Hofer on game night
(Springfield Thunderbirds)

The opening period began with no indication that things would be any different than the teams' prior meeting on Friday night, as Joel Hofer and Louis Domingue continued their amazing goaltending duel with 30 saves through the first 20 minutes alone.

The only power play of the opening period, which went to the T-Birds, finally cracked the goose eggs with some old-fashioned grit work in the crease area. Mathias Laferriere took a feed between the circles from Matthew Highmore and pushed a low shot on Domingue, forcing a rebound. With Highmore and Laferriere both jockeying for position, the puck eventually squirted free behind Domingue's reach, and Laferriere touched it across the line to break the ice, 1-0, at 16:30. It was just Springfield's second power-play goal in its last 22 man-advantage chances.

Domingue and Hofer were otherwise brilliant again in the opening stanza, with Domingue denying 17 pucks and Hofer turning away 13.

Special teams took over the spotlight for the T-Birds when the second period began. Forced to a penalty kill to begin the frame, Springfield not only took care of the Hartford power play but also chipped in an 11th shorthanded goal of the season as Matthew Peca stormed in scot-free from the neutral zone and snapped a perfectly placed low snapper past Domingue just 55 seconds into the period to make it 2-0.

The T-Birds would go on to kill both Hartford power plays in the second en route to a 4-for-4 night on the man disadvantage. In the opening minute of the third, Springfield's top line continued its noticeable night when Highmore redirected a Dmitri Samorukov shot past Domingue to extend to a 3-0 lead at the 37-second mark.

The power play capped the night with a bow as Martin Frk uncorked a one-time howitzer to the top shelf from the high slot at 12:08 to make it a 4-0 final. Hofer finished the night with 31 stops for his fourth shutout of the season, which pulls him into a tie for the league lead with Calgary's Dustin Wolf.

The busy home-ice stretch continues on Friday and Saturday as the T-Birds host Providence and Laval respectively.

Saturday is the 6th Annual Pink in the Rink, which benefits the Rays of Hope Foundation in Western Massachusetts. The ice will be painted pink, while the T-Birds will sport specialty pink jerseys for the evening. After the game, fans are welcome to stay for a postgame jersey auction, where proceeds raised will directly benefit the Rays of Hope. For more information on the Pink in the Rink game, click here!

Thunderbirds fans can reserve their seats for upcoming games by calling (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visiting www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.

Springfield Thunderbirds' Joel Hofer on game night

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American Hockey League Stories from March 8, 2023

• Belleville Sens Dominate Rocket in Thrilling Win - Belleville Senators
• Wranglers Rallies for 2-1 Victory Over Eagles - Colorado Eagles
• Penguins Stone-Wolled in 3-1 Loss to Marlies - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
• Wolf Pack Blanked 4-0 by Springfield Thunderbirds - Hartford Wolf Pack
• Another O-Fer - T-Birds All-Star Shuts Out Hartford - Springfield Thunderbirds
• Checkers' Latest Comeback Attempt Falls Short Against Bridgeport - Charlotte Checkers
• Islanders Score Three Times on Special Teams in the First Period - Bridgeport Islanders
• San Diego Gulls to Host Bowling Night Fundraiser on Sunday, March 12 - San Diego Gulls
• IceHogs and Lamonica Beverages Hosting Craft Beer Tasting Event - Rockford IceHogs
• Blues Trade Anthony Angello to Nashville for Future Considerations - Springfield Thunderbirds
• Wolves to Host Women in Sports Day - Chicago Wolves
• Valleau Released from PTO - Rockford IceHogs
• Phantoms Power Play Presented by Provident Bank - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
• Bears Trade Kale Kessy to Colorado for Future Considerations - Hershey Bears
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• Wolf Pack Kick off Three-Game Road Trip with Visit to Thunderbirds - Hartford Wolf Pack
• Belleville Sens Sign Goaltender Francis Marotte to Professional Tryout Offer - Belleville Senators
• Capitals Loan Dylan McIlrath to Hershey - Hershey Bears
• Bruins Buzz - March 8 - Providence Bruins
• Bridgeport Islanders Face Checkers Three Times in Four Days - Bridgeport Islanders
• Wranglers' High-Flying Offence Downs Eagles - Calgary Wranglers

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