AHL Springfield Thunderbirds

Hofer Outduels Domingue as T-Birds Win Legendary Goaltenders Showdown

March 3, 2023 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Thunderbirds News Release


Springfield Thunderbirds' Joel Hofer versus Hartford Wolf Pack's Ryan Carpenter
Springfield Thunderbirds' Joel Hofer versus Hartford Wolf Pack's Ryan Carpenter
(Springfield Thunderbirds)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Springfield Thunderbirds (27-20-2-4) and Hartford Wolf Pack (23-20-3-7) went 65 minutes without a tally before Springfield eeked out a 1-0 shootout win on Friday night inside the MassMutual Center in a fantastic goaltenders duel.

After a four-goal first period on Sunday against Charlotte, the T-Birds' opening 20 minutes were far more defensive-minded on Friday, as Joel Hofer and Louis Domingue were not overly tested in the first period. Hofer stopped 10 Hartford shots, while the Wolf Pack netminder made seven stops.

Each team had one power-play chance, but neither club could generate even a shot on goal on the advantage, and the quiet opening frame ended without any dent on the scoresheet.

Domingue would be far busier in the second period, as Springfield uncorked seven shots in just six minutes en route to a 16-shot period, but the veteran backstop had each and every answer for Hartford, including point-blank saves off Mitchell Hoelscher and Greg Printz.

Hofer was equally strong, albeit not as busy as his counterpart in the second. The Wolf Pack came the closest to breaking the scoreless deadlock past the midpoint of the period when Turner Elson beat Hofer with a snap shot, but saw his shot clang off the crossbar and stay out.

Penalty kills for both teams were stellar all night, and Hartford's rose to the occasion with two monster performances at the end of regulation and into the overtime as well. The Wolf Pack finished the night 5-for-5 on the PK, while Springfield kept Hartford off the board on three different man advantages throughout the night.

Fittingly, the outstanding goaltending of Domingue and Hofer carried all the way into the shootout. With both men earning shutouts for going 65 minutes without an opposition tally, the shootout yielded similar goose eggs as neither team connected on a shootout attempt through the first five attempts. Finally, in round six, Matthew Highmore lifted a forehand try over Domingue's glove to give Springfield a chance for victory on another Hofer save.

However, veteran Adam Clendening, in his Hartford debut, kept the night going as he beat Hofer off the inside of the post on the blocker side, forcing a seventh round in the mano-a-mano matchup. Matthew Peca calmly stepped up next and fired a soft forehand chip over Domingue's glove to once again give Springfield the advantage in the top of round seven.

This time around, Hofer would not be denied the ultimate victory, as he stonewalled Bobby Trivigno to close the night on a high note. It was Hofer's 20th win of the year and his third shutout performance of his All-Star season.

The T-Birds play the last of five consecutive home games on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. as they welcome the Charlotte Checkers to the Thunderdome, where Springfield emerged with a 5-2 victory in the clubs' last meeting on Feb. 26. The first 3,000 fans through the doors get a Joel Hofer Bobblehead compliments of Stop & Shop.

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

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Images from this story

Springfield Thunderbirds' Joel Hofer versus Hartford Wolf Pack's Ryan Carpenter
Springfield Thunderbirds' Joel Hofer versus Hartford Wolf Pack's Ryan Carpenter
   



American Hockey League Stories from March 3, 2023


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