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AHL Springfield Thunderbirds

Peca Propels T-Birds to Yet Another OT Win

March 16, 2022 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Thunderbirds News Release


Springfield Thunderbirds center Matthew Peca shoots against the Bridgeport Islanders
Springfield Thunderbirds center Matthew Peca shoots against the Bridgeport Islanders
(Springfield Thunderbirds)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Springfield Thunderbirds (32-17-5-2) once again emerged victorious in extra time with a 3-2 win over the Bridgeport Islanders (23-25-6-4) on Wednesday night at the MassMutual Center.

As they have done almost all season, the T-Birds had a shoot-first mentality in a first period that made Islanders goalie Cory Schneider stop 19 Springfield offerings while killing a pair of Thunderbird power plays. Despite numerous chances, the home team could not dent the 35-year-old netminder, and the first stanza ended in a scoreless tie.

Making his second consecutive start at the other end, Charlie Lindgren had a far quieter first period, but he was there to make all eight saves that needed to be made against Bridgeport.

The goalies maintained a high level in the second period, with Lindgren the busier man this time around. A pair of defensive zone mistakes proved to be the impetuses for the opening goal each way. First, Dakota Joshua pilfered a puck away in the slot area inside the Bridgeport end and sneaked a wrist shot off Scheider's stick and arm and across the line to give Springfield the 1-0 lead at 2:26.

Kyle MacLean would answer back for the Islanders at 11:23 when he intercepted a Springfield clearing attempt in the left circle before chasing down his own rebound off of Lindgren's left pad to tie the score, 1-1.

A slower start to the third period gave way to a frenetic final 10 minutes, beginning when James Neal earned himself a penalty shot when he was taken down at the 10:33 mark of the period. With the go-ahead goal on his stick, Neal patiently outwaited Schneider and beat him to the stick side over the blocker to give the T-Birds a 2-1 lead. It was Neal's ninth goal in 11 games with Springfield.

The Thunderbirds and Lindgren held on into the game's final two minutes, but back-to-back penalties set Bridgeport up with an eventual 6-on-4, and Chris Terry found a way to beat Lindgren high to the glove side with exactly a minute to play to force overtime.

The stalemate went into the final minute of the extra period. With time dwindling, Calle Rosen carried the puck in on the right-wing side with Matthew Peca crashing the net. Rosen threw the puck toward the crease, where it ricocheted into the blue paint. Peca stopped on a dime and patiently settled the puck down before sliding it home to seal the victory on his career-high 19th of the season at 4:34 of the 3-on-3 session.

Winners of three of their last four games, the Thunderbirds continue their home-ice week with back-to-back matchups against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Friday and Saturday. Each game will feature a 7:05 p.m. puck drop.

For more information on the Springfield Thunderbirds and to learn more about becoming a 2022-23 ticket member, please visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com or call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) to speak to a Thunderbirds representative.

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Springfield Thunderbirds center Matthew Peca shoots against the Bridgeport Islanders
Springfield Thunderbirds center Matthew Peca shoots against the Bridgeport Islanders
   

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