T-Birds Look to Extend Home Point Streak to Eight against Utica

December 21, 2018 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Thunderbirds News Release

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Springfield Thunderbirds (15-8-2-3) will look to set a new franchise record as they go for their eighth straight game with a point on home ice as they face the Utica Comets (15-13-2-1) on Friday at 7:05 p.m. at the MassMutual Center.

The Thunderbirds are coming off a 3-2 win on Wednesday night over another North Division opponent, the Syracuse Crunch. Dryden Hunt scored twice, including the game-winning goal in the final four minutes, while Ludwig Bystrom added three assists in the victory. Sam Montembeault picked up his 11th win of the season in the Springfield net, stopping 27 of 29 shots. The 22-year-old goaltender improved his record to 8-0-1-1 inside the MassMutual Center this season.

Springfield will look to exact some revenge against the Comets, who came away with a 5-2 victory on Dec. 7 in the first meeting between the clubs this season. The Thunderbirds took 33 minutes in penalties and allowed two power play goals on eight Utica power play opportunities in the loss. Jayce Hawryluk and Sebastian Repo scored for the Thunderbirds.

After the matchup with Utica on Friday night, the Thunderbirds welcome their division rival Providence Bruins (12-12-5-0 entering weekend) into the MassMutual Center for the third time this season. Springfield won each of the first two meetings by final scores of 6-3 on Oct. 14 and 4-2 on Oct. 27.

Friday night is another 3-2-1 Friday with live music in the MGM Springfield Pregame Concert Series, beginning at 6 p.m. Through the end of the first period on Friday, Coors Light drafts are $3, hot dogs are $2, and sodas are just $1 each.

The Thunderbirds will bring back the Saturday Night Trivia Series presented by Bobby's Roast Beef for the matchup with Providence. The trivia contest will begin at 6:00 p.m. on the concourse. For more information on each of the games this weekend, fans can visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com or call (413) 739-GOAL (4625).

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 December 21, 2018

• Bridgeport rolls to biggest win of the season against first-place Charlotte on Friday - Bridgeport Islanders
• Wolf Pack Double Americans, 4-2 - Hartford Wolf Pack
• Devils Score Four Unanswered in 6-3 Comeback Win over Bruins - Binghamton Devils
• Penguins Lose Close One to Bears, 3-2 - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
• Broadhurst Nets Hat Trick as Monsters Throttle Senators, 6-3 - Cleveland Monsters
• Checkers Fall to Sound Tigers 6-1 - Charlotte Checkers
• Crunch Defeat Phantoms, 3-2, in Shootout - Syracuse Crunch
• Late Charge Not Enough to Get T-Birds Past Comets - Springfield Thunderbirds
• Power Play Thrives, Bears Edge Penguins - Hershey Bears
• Sens Fall to Cleveland in First Ever Meeting - Belleville Senators
• Gignac's Hat-Trick Powers Devils over P-Bruins - Providence Bruins
• Bachman, Demko Slam Door on T-Birds - Utica Comets
• Hogs to Host Blood Drive at the BMO Thursday, December 27 - Rockford IceHogs
• Devils Sign Forward Conor Riley to PTO - Binghamton Devils
• Senators Announce Boxing Day Sale - Belleville Senators
• Coyotes Recall Bunting from Tucson - Tucson Roadrunners
• Game #27 Preview: Tucson at San Jose - Tucson Roadrunners
• Amadio, Wagner, Walker Recalled by Kings - Ontario Reign
• Flames Assign Buddy Robinson to Stockton - Stockton Heat
• Marlies Set for Back-To-Back Games in Laval - Toronto Marlies
• Heat Open Road Swing with Wild - Stockton Heat
• Join the Griffins for a Bluetooth Speaker Giveaway and the 22nd Annual NYE Celebration - Grand Rapids Griffins
• Lindholm Called up to Avalanche, Eagles Recall Anderson - Colorado Eagles
• Bears Sign Defenseman Cliff Watson to Tryout Agreement - Hershey Bears
• Admirals Sign Pendenza, Carlson to PTOs - Milwaukee Admirals
• Game Day Build-Up: Senators at Monsters, December 21 - Belleville Senators
• AHL's Top Two Teams Go Head-To-Head this Weekend - Bridgeport Islanders
• Game Preview: Penguins at Bears, 7 p.m. - Hershey Bears
• Canes Reassign Bishop to Charlotte - Charlotte Checkers
• American Hockey League Announces Suspension - AHL
• T-Birds Look to Extend Home Point Streak to Eight against Utica - Springfield Thunderbirds

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.

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