The Springfield Thunderbirds split its weekend set of games against the Hartford Wolf Pack and Utica Comets and remained in fifth place in the AHL’s Atlantic Division. The Thunderbirds (21-17-6-4) trail both the Providence Bruins and Lehigh Valley Phantoms by three points.
On Friday, the T-Birds played host to the Wolf Pack and came away with a 5-2 win. Juho Lammikko scored his first goal of the season (finally!) to snap a 2-2 tie late in the second period. Springfield got three goals from defensemen: Thomas Schemitsch, Jacob MacDonald and Riley Stillman, and Dryden Hunt notched his 18th. Assists were collected by Jonathan Ang, Bobby Franham, Ludwig Bystrom, Tomas Jurco, Sebastian Repo, Jake Horton and Harry Zolnierczyk. Chris Driedger made 30 stops to pick up his sixth win.
Saturday saw the visiting Comets jump out to a three-goal lead before holding on for a 4-3 win. Springfield got goals from Sebastian Repo (who also added an assist), Jacob MacDonald and Jamie McGinn. Matt Mangene, Harry Zolnierczyk, Paul Thompson and Anthony Greco picked up assists. Samuel Montembeault was pulled 3:16 into the first period after giving up three goals on five shots. Chris Driedger stopped 23 or 24 shots in relief.
The Florida Panthers are off until Tuesday night when they host the St. Louis Blues at the BB&T Center.
Tonight you’re going to want to root for Anaheim, Los Angeles and Vancouver.