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AHL Springfield Thunderbirds

T-Birds Battle, But Drop 4-3 Decision to Bruins

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


Springfield Thunderbirds' Hugh McGing in action against Providence Bruins' Connor Carrick and Kyle Keyser
Springfield Thunderbirds' Hugh McGing in action against Providence Bruins' Connor Carrick and Kyle Keyser
(Springfield Thunderbirds)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Springfield Thunderbirds (0-2-0-0) erased one-goal deficits on three separate occasions, but the Providence Bruins (2-0-0-0) held on for a 4-3 win on Sunday afternoon inside the MassMutual Center.

Power plays would have a handprint on this contest, and it began with Providence rookie Georgii Merkulov capitalizing on a rebound in the crease next to Joel Hofer's net, as the centerman shuffled the second chance home after an initial shot from fellow rookie Fabian Lysell. That goal came at the 8:02 mark of the opening frame.

The 1-0 Providence lead lasted just 3:02, as Springfield's power play got a fortunate bounce to deadlock the score at 11:04. Matthew Highmore moved to a loose puck between the circles and fired a snap shot toward Kyle Keyser's goal. Nikita Alexandrov saw the puck bounce down to his backhand right outside a vacant goal, and the second-year center shoveled home his first goal of the season to tie the game, 1-1.

A late first-period power play for Providence nearly saw the deadlock snapped, but Hofer came up with a remarkable post-to-post glove save on Merkulov to keep the game tied heading to intermission.

The second period saw the offensive fireworks begin quickly from an unlikely source, as Bruins captain Josiah Didier joined a rush from the blue line and, like Merkulov in the first, got to a rebound to beat Hofer at 2:16 of the second, making it 2-1 for Providence. Didier scored one goal in the entire 2021-22 season, and his first of the new campaign restored the Bruins' lead.

Once more, though, Springfield had a quick reply on a power play. This time, defenseman Brady Lyle hoisted a wrist shot into traffic, and Nathan Todd redirected it beautifully over Keyser's shoulder to make it 2-2 at 3:39.

The pattern did not change, though, and Providence again took a one-goal lead, 3-2, as newcomer Vinni Lettieri received a pass in the left circle from Lysell and one-timed home a power-play goal at the 10:08 mark.

Lettieri's first goal as a Bruin was answered just 3:08 later by a T-Birds newcomer, as Dylan McLaughlin skated around the offensive zone in 4-on-4 play before wristing a forehander off the inside of the left post to tie the game, 3-3, at 13:16. Both McLaughlin and Todd registered a goal and assist in the second period.

The Bruins never would let the T-Birds get a lead, and Luke Toporowski jumped into a 3-on-2 rush, grabbed a pass from Lysell, and uncorked a shot under the crossbar to make it a 4-3 game heading into the second intermission.

After the frenetic five-goal second period between the clubs, the third period came and went with both Hofer and Keyser keeping the puck out of the net on a combined 17 shots. For a second straight night, the T-Birds sent their goaltender to the bench but could not find the equalizing tally in the closing seconds.

The T-Birds take to the road for the first time on Wednesday for a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals in Laval against the Rocket. Springfield returns home to face Bridgeport on Friday, Oct. 28 at 7:05 p.m. at the MassMutual Center. 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' Hugh McGing in action against Providence Bruins' Connor Carrick and Kyle Keyser
Springfield Thunderbirds' Hugh McGing in action against Providence Bruins' Connor Carrick and Kyle Keyser
   



American Hockey League Stories from October 16, 2022


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