Springfield Thunderbirds Unveil Full 2021-22 Regular Season Schedule
July 23, 2021 - American Hockey League (AHL) - Springfield Thunderbirds News Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Springfield Thunderbirds, in conjunction with the American Hockey League, released their full schedule for the 2021-22 regular season on Friday. The season marks the first year in the Thunderbirds' new affiliation agreement with the NHL's St. Louis Blues. It will also be the 5th Anniversary season of Thunderbirds hockey after the club opted out of the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign.
For the second straight occasion, the Thunderbirds will begin their regular season home ice when they play host to the Hartford Wolf Pack on Sat., Oct. 16 at 7:05 p.m. inside the MassMutual Center for Opening Night. It marks the first of six contests on home ice against the I-91 rivals, as the Wolf Pack will also visit Springfield on Fri., Nov. 12, Sat., Nov. 27, Sat., Dec. 18, Fri., Feb. 4, and Fri., Feb. 25.
The Thunderbirds' 2021-22 schedule features new puck drop times on a handful of occasions, including matinee 2:05 p.m. Saturday games on Nov. 27 vs. Hartford and on Jan. 1 vs. Rochester. The team will also play host to 6:05 p.m. contests on Wednesdays (Nov. 24 vs. Bridgeport and Dec. 29 vs. Utica).
Finally, Saturday night game times in April will be shifted to a 6:05 p.m. puck drop, as Springfield will host Belleville on April 2, Charlotte on April 16, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on April 23.
The Thunderbirds will once again compete in the AHL's Atlantic Division, and Springfield will face every Eastern Conference team at least twice during the 2021-22 regular season, with the exception of the Cleveland Monsters. The 76-game regular season schedule includes 38 home and 38 away games. Springfield is one of 10 AHL teams that will play a 76-game slate this upcoming season. Division rivals Hershey, Lehigh Valley, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will also play 76 contests, while Bridgeport, Charlotte, Hartford, and Providence will each play 72 games.
The staggered schedule in 2021-22 will be the final such season in the AHL, as all 32 member clubs, including the new Seattle Kraken affiliates in Palm Springs, Ca. will play 72 games in the 2022-23 regular season.
Springfield will play a total of 62 games against Atlantic Division opponents, including 31 at the MassMutual Center. One of the Thunderbirds' most common opponents in 2021-22 will once again be the Providence Bruins, who will visit the MassMutual Center on six occasions. The Bruins make their first trip to Springfield on Sat., Dec. 11 for a 7:05 p.m. start. Other matchups in Springfield between the T-Birds and Bruins are slated for Sat., Jan. 15, Sat., Jan. 29, Sat., Feb. 12, Sat., March 5, and Sun., April 24.
The Thunderbirds will host their fourth T-Birds 101 School Day Game in the month of March against the Bridgeport Islanders at 10:35 a.m. on Weds., March 16. The Islanders will make five other trips to Springfield prior to the School Day Game. Those contests are scheduled for Sun., Oct. 17, Fri., Oct. 22, Sat., Nov. 20, Weds., Nov. 24, and Weds., Feb. 23.Â
The Charlotte Checkers will make four visits to the MassMutual Center as familiar foes, as they will now feature the AHL prospects from both the expansion Seattle Kraken and the Florida Panthers. Springfield and Florida were affiliated for the Thunderbirds' first four AHL seasons from 2016-2020. The Checkers, who hoisted the Calder Cup the last time the trophy was awarded in 2019, will visit the Thunderbirds on Sun., Oct. 31, Sat., Feb. 26, Fri., April 15, and Sat., April 16.
The Thunderbirds will also play 14 games (7 home, 7 away) against teams from the AHL's North Division, including a back-to-back set with the Belleville Senators on Sat., April 2, and Sun., April 3 at the MassMutual Center. The Laval Rocket (Fri., Jan. 14), Rochester Americans (Sat., Jan. 1), Syracuse Crunch (Weds., April 13), Toronto Marlies (Fri., Dec. 10), and Utica Comets (Weds., Dec. 29) will each make one visit to the MassMutual Center.
Springfield Thunderbirds 2021-22 Schedule Breakdown:
Start Times at Home: 
Wednesdays: 10:35 a.m. ET (March 16 vs. BRI: School Day Game); 6:05 p.m. ET (Nov. 24 vs. BRI, Dec. 29 vs. UTI); 7:05 p.m. ET (Feb. 23 vs. BRI, April 13 vs. SYR)
Fridays: 7:05 p.m. ET
Saturdays: 2:05 p.m. ET (Nov. 27 vs. HFD, Jan. 1 vs. ROC); 6:05 p.m. (April 2 vs. BEL, April 16 vs. CLT, April 23 vs. WBS); 7:05 p.m. ET on all other occasions
Sundays: 2:05 p.m. ET (Oct. 31 vs. CLT, April 3 vs. BEL, April 24 vs. PRO); 3:05 p.m. ET (Oct. 17 vs. BRI)
Total Weekend Games (Friday - Sunday) Home/Away: 33/28
Total Weekday Games (Monday - Thursday) Home/Away: 5/10
Atlantic Division Games Home/Away: 62 total - 31/31
North Division Games Home/Away: 14 total - 7/7
Monthly breakdown Home/Away: Oct. 7 total - 5/2, Nov. 12 total - 6/6, Dec. 11 total - 5/6, Jan. 12 total- 5/7, Feb. 11 total - 5/6, March 11 total - 5/6, Apr. 12 total - 7/5
Three-games-in-three nights: 8
First 38 Games Home/Away: 19/19
Last 38 Games Home/Away: 19/19
Springfield Thunderbirds fans are encouraged to visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com to learn more about 2021-22 Ticket Memberships, which feature the best benefits, including a special edition season ticket holder jersey. For more information or to order now, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com. A full promotional schedule for the 2021-22 season will be released at a later date.
Springfield Thunderbirds 2021-22 Schedule - By Month - Home Games in Bold
OCTOBER:
Sat., Oct. 16 vs. HFD, 7:05 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 17 vs. BRI, 3:05 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 22 vs. BRI, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 23 @ BRI, 7:00 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 24 @ PRO, 3:05 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 30 vs. WBS, 7:05 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 31 vs. CLT, 2:05 p.m.
NOVEMBER:
Fri., Nov. 5 vs. HER, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 6 @ BRI, 7:00 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 7 @ HER, 3:00 p.m.
Weds., Nov. 10 @ PRO, 7:05 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 12 vs. HFD, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 13 @ LV, 7:05 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 19 vs. WBS, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 20 vs. BRI, 7:05 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 21 @ BRI, 3:00 p.m.
Weds., Nov. 24 vs. BRI, 6:05 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 26 @ HFD, 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 27 vs. HFD, 2:05 p.m.
DECEMBER:
Weds., Dec. 1 @ HFD, 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 3 @ ROC, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 4 @ TOR, 4:00 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 10 vs. TOR, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 11 vs. PRO, 7:05 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 12 @ WBS, 3:05 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 17 vs. HER, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 18 vs. HFD, 7:05 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 19 @ HFD, 3:00 p.m.
Tues., Dec. 28 @ BRI, 7:00 p.m.
Weds., Dec. 29 vs. UTI, 6:05 p.m.
JANUARY:
Sat., Jan. 1 vs. ROC, 2:05 p.m.
Sun., Jan. 2 @ PRO, 3:05 p.m.
Weds., Jan. 5 @ LAV, 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 7 @ BEL, 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 8 @ BEL, 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 14 vs. LAV, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 15 vs. PRO, 7:05 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 18 @ CLT, 7:00 p.m.
Thurs., Jan. 20 @ CLT, 7:00 p.m.
Sun., Jan. 23 @ BRI, 3:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 28 vs. LV, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 29 vs. PRO, 7:05 p.m.
FEBRUARY:
Weds., Feb. 2 @ WBS, 7:05 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 4 vs. HFD, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 5 @ UTI, 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 11 @ HFD, 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 12 vs. PRO, 7:05 p.m.
Weds., Feb. 16 @ LV, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 19 @ WBS, 6:05 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 20 @ LV, 3:05 p.m.
Weds., Feb. 23 vs. BRI, 7:05 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 25 vs. HFD, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 26 vs. CLT, 7:05 p.m.
MARCH:
Fri., March 4 vs. HER, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., March 5 vs. PRO, 7:05 p.m.
Weds., March 9 @ PRO, 7:05 p.m.
Fri., March 11 @ CLT, 7:00 p.m.
Sat., March 12 @ CLT, 6:00 p.m.
Weds., March 16 vs. BRI, 10:35 a.m.
Fri., March 18 vs. LV, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., March 19 vs. LV, 7:05 p.m.
Weds., March 23 @ HFD, 7:00 p.m.
Fri., March 25 @ HFD, 7:00 p.m.
Sat., March 26 @ PRO, 7:05 p.m.
APRIL:
Fri., April 1 @ PRO, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., April 2 vs. BEL, 6:05 p.m.
Sun., April 3 vs. BEL, 2:05 p.m.
Fri., April 8 @ SYR, 7:00 p.m.
Sat., April 9 @ HER, 7:00 p.m.
Sun., April 10 @ HER, 5:00 p.m.
Weds., April 13 vs. SYR, 7:05 p.m.
Fri., April 15 vs. CLT, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., April 16 vs. CLT, 6:05 p.m.
Fri., April 22 @ BRI, 7:00 p.m.
Sat., April 23 vs. WBS, 6:05 p.m.
Sun., April 24 vs. PRO, 2:05 p.m.
Single game tickets will go on sale at a later date. For more information or to become a 2021-2022 Springfield Thunderbirds ticket member, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from July 23, 2021
- Anaheim Ducks Select Mason Mctavish Third Overall in 2021 NHL Draft - San Diego Gulls
- Toronto Marlies Announce 2021-22 Regular Season Schedule - Toronto Marlies
- Phantoms Announce Full Schedule for 2021-22 Regular Season - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Abbotsford Canucks Announce Inaugural Season Schedule - Abbotsford Canucks
- Roadrunners Release Regular Season Schedule for 2021-2022 - Tucson Roadrunners
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Announces 2021-22 Schedule - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Phantoms Announce Full Schedule for 2021-22 Regular Season - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Rocket Announce 2021-22 Season Schedule - Laval Rocket
- Texas Stars, AHL Reveal 2021-22 Schedule - Texas Stars
- Barracuda Announce 2021-22 Regular Schedule - San Jose Barracuda
- Colorado Eagles Announce 2021-22 Regular Season Schedule - Colorado Eagles
- Condors 2021-22 Schedule Unveiled - Bakersfield Condors
- Moose Announce 2021-22 Regular Season Schedule - Manitoba Moose
- Wolves Battle Rockford in 2021-22 Home Opener - Chicago Wolves
- Henderson Silver Knights Announce Full Schedule for 2021-22 Regular Season - Henderson Silver Knights
- San Diego Gulls 2021-22 Schedule Announced - San Diego Gulls
- Iowa Wild Announces Full 2021-22 Schedule - Iowa Wild
- Hershey Bears Announce Schedule for 2021-22 Season - Hershey Bears
- Amerks Announce 2021-22 Regular Season Schedule - Rochester Americans
- Springfield Thunderbirds Unveil Full 2021-22 Regular Season Schedule - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Providence Bruins Announce Full 2021-22 Regular Season Schedule - Providence Bruins
- Admirals 2021-22 Schedule Set - Milwaukee Admirals
- Cleveland Monsters Announce 2021-22 Regular Season Schedule Presented by SeatGeek - Cleveland Monsters
- Reign Announce 2021-22 Regular-Season Schedule - Ontario Reign
- Bridgeport Islanders Announce 2021-22 Schedule - Bridgeport Islanders
- American Hockey League Announces 2021-22 Schedule - AHL
- Charlotte Checkers 2021-22 Schedule Released - Charlotte Checkers
- Utica Comets Announce 2021-22 Season Schedule - Utica Comets
- Syracuse Crunch Announce 2021-22 Regular Season Schedule - Syracuse Crunch
- Rockford IceHogs Unveil 2021-22 Regular Season Schedule - Rockford IceHogs
- Heat Announce 2021-22 Schedule - Stockton Heat
- Griffins Release 2021-22 Schedule - Grand Rapids Griffins
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
