The Springfield Thunderbirds (15-10-2-3) suffered a pair of setbacks this weekend, dropping tough one-goal decisions to both the Utica Comets and Providence Bruins.
On Friday, the Comets got goals from Darren Archibald and Brendan Gaunce (shorthanded) and Thatcher Demko stopped 10 of 11 shots in relief of Richard Bachman, who departed with 27 saves, in a 2-1 win over the host Thunderbirds. Defenseman Josh Brown scored Springfield’s only goal, from Paul Thompson and Joel Lowry, with 6:22 remaining in regulation, but the T-Birds could not come up with the equalizer. Michael Hutchinson took the loss, making 27 saves.
The Thunderbirds trailed by four goals heading into the third period against the visiting Providence Bruins before rallying and falling short by a 5-4 count. Thomas Schemitsch scored in the first period and Patrick Bajkov, Dryden Hunt, who added an assist, and Paul Thompson tallied in the final frame during the comeback effort. Ian McCoshen collected two assists and Harry Zolneirczyk, Jacob MacDonald, Ludwig Bystrom, Joel Lowry, and Matt Marcinew also registered helpers. Michael Hutchinson started and was pulled after allowing three goals on fifteen shots. Samuel Montembeault got pinned with the loss, stopping eight of ten shots after coming in early in the second period.
The Thunderbirds slid into a fourth-place tie with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, although they do have two games in hand on the Penguins.