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AHL Springfield Thunderbirds

Leivo Debuts with Hat Trick as T-Birds Roll Past Hartford

November 4, 2022 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Thunderbirds News Release


Springfield Thunderbirds' Josh Leivo in action
Springfield Thunderbirds' Josh Leivo in action
(Springfield Thunderbirds)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Springfield Thunderbirds (5-3-0-1) rode a hat trick from their newest offensive star en route to a 5-1 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack (2-3-1-1) on Friday night inside the MassMutual Center.

Springfield did not do itself any favors in the opening period from a disciplinary perspective. After going shorthanded 10 times on Sunday in Providence, the T-Birds committed four separate minor penalties in the 1st on Friday. However, Joel Hofer was locked in from the onset, and the second-year backstop had answers on all 12 shots Hartford sent his way.

As the period hit its midpoint, the Springfield offense found its stride in a big way. First, Martin Frk continued his early-season playmaking prowess, firing a perfect saucer pass rink wide to Matt Kessel, who jumped into a zone entry rush and beat Louis Domingue over the right-hand glove to make it 1-0 at 11:34 of the first.

The Thunderbirds were far from finished, though. Springfield's shorthanded machine added yet another tally, their fourth already, as Will Bitten netted his third man-down goal with a bad-angle shot from the right circle that beat Domingue high to the glove side. Springfield's league-leading shorty made it 2-0 at 15:58.

Then it was newcomer Josh Leivo's time to shine. After winning a Calder Cup in Springfield with the Chicago Wolves in June, the Blues' free-agent signing fired home his first goal with Springfield on his first shot, set up nicely by Matthew Highmore, who stripped a Hartford defender against the end wall before spotting Leivo between the hash marks. The veteran winger quickly snapped the shot low and under the legs of Domingue to up the lead to 3-0 at 16:35, capping off a run of three goals in 5:01 of game action.

Leave picked up right where he left off 44 seconds into period two, using Mathias Laferriere as a decoy on a 2-on-1 rush at the left-wing circle and snapping a wrister past Domingue on the short side. His second goal on as many shot attempts made it 4-0 for Springfield.

After failing to dent Hofer with 10 second period shots, Hartford finally broke up Springfield's shutout bid at 8:34 of the third when Turner Elson used screen to slip a shot through Hofer on the glove side to make it 4-1.

Hartford would not draw any closer, and Hofer added some offense himself. After aiming for another goal for himself, Hofer saw his pass knocked down, but right to a waiting Leivo. The stellar debut concluded with an empty-net, hat trick goal with 2:03 to play, rounding out the 5-1 win. Hofer finished with 34 saves to go along with his late assist.

The Thunderbirds have now gone 5-0-0-1 in their last six games. They look to get the better of the Providence Bruins on Saturday night for their third meeting in a week's time. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. inside the Thunderdome.

Thunderbirds fans can reserve their seats for the 2022-23 season and lock in the best prices and member benefits by calling (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visiting www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.

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Images from this story

Springfield Thunderbirds' Josh Leivo in action
Springfield Thunderbirds' Josh Leivo in action
   



American Hockey League Stories from November 4, 2022


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