The Springfield Thunderbirds (14-8-2-3) split its two games this weekend, dropping a 5-3 decision in Bridgeport on Saturday before rebounding with a 4-1 victory over Hershey on Sunday to move into third place in the AHL’s Atlantic Division.
Michael Dal Colle scored twice to spark the Sound Tigers to a 5-3 win on Saturday at Webster Bank Arena. Springfield defenseman Mike Mangene notched two goals and fellow blueliner Josh Brown completed the scoring with three seconds left in the game. Dryden Hunt, Ludwig Bystrom, Jonathan Ang and Riley Stillman collected assists. Samuel Montembeault took the loss, giving up four goals on 24 shots.
Anthony Greco, back from his short stint in Sunrise, lit the lamp twice as the T-Birds cruised to a 4-1 home ice win over the Bears on Sunday. Sebastian Repo opened the scoring with a power-play goal, from Blaine Byron and Dryden Hunt, 6:09 into the first period. Greco struck on the power play, from Joel Lowry and Paul Thompson, 4:45 into the second and again later in the frame from Ryan Horvat and Mike Mangene to put Springfield up 3-1. Jake Horton complete the scoring with 1:38 left in the middle frame, with the assists going to Bobby Farnham and Mangene. Samuel Montembeault turned aside 28 of 29 shots to register his tenth win of the season.
The Florida Panthers get a break from game action today. The Cats will open a four-game road trip Tuesday night in Buffalo.