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AHL Springfield Thunderbirds

T-Birds Outlast Bruins in Hard-Fought Shootout Win

January 29, 2022 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Thunderbirds News Release


SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Springfield Thunderbirds (21-13-4-1) were able to come away with two points and a 3-2 shootout victory in a fierce battle with the Providence Bruins (17-11-3-3) on Saturday night inside the MassMutual Center.

This night would not start as promisingly for the T-Birds, who tallied five goals through the first 20 minutes of action on Friday night. The Bruins got the game's first power play just 17 seconds into the action, and Cameron Hughes and Jack Studnicka teamed up to get Providence ahead 1-0 just 31 seconds later. Hughes held the puck in the left-wing circle, drawing two sets of eyes to him, before sliding a pass right across the slot to Studnicka in the right circle, where the Bruins centerman beat Springfield netminder Charlie Lindgren with a high wrist shot.

Down but not deterred, the T-Birds responded with a strong pushback, generating a dozen shots on the net of Bruins goalie Kyle Keyser in the first period. After going eight games without a goal, Matthew Peca returned to that department at 14:30 as the beneficiary of a beautiful backhand tap feed from Hugh McGing just outside the crease area. Peca deposited his career-high 14th of the season to even the score. Sam Anas picked up the secondary helper on the game's tying goal.

Save for the two goals, Keyser and Lindgren were terrific in the opening period, stopping a combined 24 of 26 shots faced in the game's opening 20 minutes.

The second period began in a similar fashion for the Bruins, who once again took a one-goal edge in short order. This time, the damage came at 5-on-5, as Matt Filipe cut down the left-wing side toward the goal mouth. His deke attempt skittered off the pads of Lindgren but bounced right to the tape of Chris Wagner, who deposited the puck into the yawning net to restore the Providence lead just 1:31 into the second.

Keyser was able to make that 2-1 margin hold up into the third period, turning away 11 more Springfield shots in the second, and the Providence penalty kill stiffened to fend off a pair of Springfield man-advantage chances. The Bruins had a chance late in the frame while skating 4-on-4 to extend the lead. Eduards Tralmaks sneaked in behind the T-Birds defense in between the circles, fielded the pass on his backhand, and tried to slip it past Lindgren on the glove side as he cut to his left. Despite the dangerous look, Lindgren slid right with his combatant and stonewalled the Bruins winger, and as a result, the T-Birds deficit was just one heading into the third.

Springfield's power play would get yet another chance to equalize, and at the 8:44 mark of the third, Nathan Walker took a perfect rink-wide feed from Peca and elevated a shot over Keyser to tie the game, 2-2. It was Walker's 14th goal of the season to tie Peca for team leadership in that department, as well as the Australian's fourth goal of the weekend.

Overtime was needed on this night, and the goaltenders continued to shine through an energetic extra period, as each goalie was tasked with making three saves in the 3-on-3 period. Springfield edged Providence in the shootout as Anas and Will Bitten each were able to beat Keyser, while only Studnicka could get one in behind Lindgren in the three-round competition.

With the win, Springfield moves within less than one percentage point of second place in the Atlantic Division. The Thunderbirds look to climb back to the top of the division on Wednesday night in their next contest against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins from the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. in Pennsylvania.

For more information on the Springfield Thunderbirds and to order tickets, please visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com. To learn more about becoming a Thunderbirds ticket member, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) to speak to a Thunderbirds representative.

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