T-Birds Erase Two-Goal Hole, Complete Midwest Sweep
Published on January 21, 2023 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Thunderbirds News Release
Springfield Thunderbirds battle the Grand Rapids Griffins
(Springfield Thunderbirds)
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Springfield Thunderbirds (18-17-1-4) erased a 2-0 first intermission to pick up a 3-2 overtime win over the Grand Rapids Griffins (15-19-2-2) on Saturday night inside Van Andel Arena.
Playing in front of a sellout crowd, the Griffins raced out to another quick first period, as Albert Johansson one-timed a slap shot through heavy traffic and past Joel Hofer to make it a 1-0 Grand Rapids lead at 7:24 of the opening period.
Springfield was by no means a spectator in the opening 20 minutes, as they forced veteran netminder Alex Nedeljkovic into a heavy workload, but the former Calder Cup champion had the answers on all 12 T-Birds shots. His steady play was rewarded with an insurance marker from Jakub Vrana, who beat Hofer upstairs on a 2-on-1 rush at 13:44 of the marker, giving Grand Rapids a 2-0 lead at the intermission.
Springfield remained confident in its game, and at 7:20 of the second, the fourth line got the T-Birds on the board when Jacob Hayhurst feathered a pass from the left corner out to the right side, where Drew Callin fired a forehand shot through Alex Nedeljkovic, cutting the Griffins' lead to 2-1.
Early in the third, Springfield's penalty kill turned offensive when Will Bitten entered the offensive zone on the left wing and saucered a pass into the slot area, where Matt Kessel pushed a snapper through Nedeljkovic to get the T-Birds even, 2-2, just 2:18 into the frame. It was Springfield's second shorthanded goal in two nights, as well as Kessel's first goal since Nov. 16.
Hofer was crucial to the T-Birds' comeback, as he locked down the Grand Rapids offense in the final 40 minutes, making 19 saves in that time.
With overtime required to bring about a winner, Springfield flipped the script from the clubs' first meeting when Nikita Alexandrov received a pass at the offensive blue line and wristed it through Nedeljkovic at 1:31 of the extra period, securing the third and final leg of the midwest sweep.
With a three-game win streak in tow, the T-Birds return home for four of the next games, beginning with a back-to-back set of games at the Thunderdome on Friday and Saturday against Belleville. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. each night.
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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 Springfield Thunderbirds battle the Grand Rapids Griffins |
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