T-Birds and Sound Tigers Square off in Home and Home Series Friday & Saturday
Published on November 1, 2018 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Thunderbirds News Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Springfield Thunderbirds (6-0-0-2) will look to pick up a team-record sixth consecutive victory on Friday night when they open a home-and-home series with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (4-4-1-0) at the MassMutual Center for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop. The two clubs will rematch at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
This will mark the first of ten regular season matchups with the Sound Tigers. Springfield won all five matchups inside the MassMutual Center against Bridgeport in 2017-18, scoring four or more goals in each of those triumphs.
This year's Thunderbirds boast the AHL's top offense through the first eight games of their season, with an average of 4.75 goals per game. The Thunderbirds have been almost as stout defensively, sllowing just 2.50 goals per game, the third-best mark in the AHL. Three different Thunderbirds forwards have already eclipsed double digits in points: Harry Zolnierczyk (12), Henrik Borgstrom (11), and Anthony Greco (10).
Borgstrom was honored on Thursday by the AHL as the CCM Rookie of the Month after putting up two four-point games in his first seven AHL contests. The 21-year-old former first round selection of the Florida Panthers had two goals and two assists in Springfield's latest win, a 6-2 defeat of Hartford on Oct. 28.
Bridgeport has opened the season with wins in four of their first nine contests. They have been paced offensively by veterans Michael Dal Colle (eight points in seven games) and Steve Bernier (five goals in nine games). Goaltending has been a weakness in the early season for the Sound Tigers, as their netminders have combined for an .874 save percentage and 3.84 goals against average through the season's opening month.
Springfield will look to piggyback off the performance of Jayce Hawryluk, who picked up the AHL's third different five-point performance in Sunday's win against Hartford. His goal and four assists marked the first time in the Thunderbirds' team history that a player picked up five points.
On the back end, both Sam Montembeault and Chris Driedger have remained stout. Montembeault has won each of his first four starts, posting a .938 save percentage and 2.00 goals against average in the process. Driedger, meanwhile has earned five of a possible six points in his three starts, posting a 2.60 goals against average and .923 save percentage.
Upon completing the home-and-home with the Sound Tigers, the Thunderbirds will make another trip to the state of Pennsylvania for matchups at Lehigh Valley on Nov. 9 and in Hershey on Nov. 10.
Springfield Thunderbirds fans are encouraged to visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com to learn more about 2018-19 Thunderbirds Season Ticket Memberships. Packages include a wide range of benefits, including the lowest prices for the 2019 Lexus AHL All-Star Classic presented by MGM Springfield. For more information or to order now, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.
American Hockey League Stories from November 1, 2018
- Barracuda Set to Become Cleveland Barons on November 18th - San Jose Barracuda
- T-Birds and Sound Tigers Square off in Home and Home Series Friday & Saturday - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Chicago Wolves Skating Rink Opens Saturday at Brookfield Zoo - Chicago Wolves
- Heat, SUSD & Mayor Tubbs to Kick off Second Year of Reading Faceoff Challenge to Five SUSD Elementary Schools - Stockton Heat
- Minnesota Wild Inks Colton Beck to Two-Year, Two-Way Contract - Iowa Wild
- AHL Joins NHL, NHLPA in 20th Annual Hockey Fights Cancer Initiative - San Diego Gulls
- Roadrunners 'I Voted Night' Takes Place Wednesday - Tucson Roadrunners
- Thunderbirds F Henrik Borgstrom Named CCM/AHL Rookie of the Month for October - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Antoine Bibeau Named CCM/AHL Goaltender of the Month - San Jose Barracuda
- Amerks Forward Victor Olofsson Named CCM/AHL Player of the Month for October - Rochester Americans
- Olofsson, Borgstrom, Bibeau Named CCM/AHL Monthly Award Winners for October - AHL
- Veterans and Active Military to Receive Free Entry on November 11 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Sean Walker & Austin Wagner Recalled by Kings - Ontario Reign
- Canes Assign Di Giuseppe to AHL - Charlotte Checkers
- Sens to Support Hockey Fights Cancer - Belleville Senators
- Mustaches and Movember Are Back at the Q - Cleveland Monsters
- Penguins Partner with Hockey Fights Cancer - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Ottawa Recalls Three from Belleville - Belleville Senators
- American Hockey League Joins NHL, NHLPA for 20th Annual Hockey Fights Cancer Initative - AHL
- Chicago Wolves Loan Lough to Adirondack - Chicago Wolves
- Sound Tigers Recall Gillam from Worcester - Bridgeport Islanders
- Mangiapane's Two-Point Night Helps Heat Win First Home Game - Stockton Heat
- Currie Scores Twice in Condors Loss, 4-3 - Bakersfield Condors
- Laval Rocket Fall to Belleville Sens 2-1 - Laval Rocket
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