The Springfield Thunderbirds ended a three-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the St. John’s IceCaps on Friday night in front of a crowd of 3,810 fans at MassMutual Center.
Sena Acolatse opened the scoring with a power-play goal 8:13 into the first period. Acolatse’s first of the season was set up by Logan Shaw and Mackenzie Weegar.
Springfield clung to the one-goal lead until Stephen MacAulay notched his first, with the assists going to Tim Bozon and Eric Robinson, at the 3:06 mark of the final frame.
Shaw clinched the game with a shorthanded empty-netter with 1:39 left before Stefan Matteau ruined Reto Berra’s bid for his third shutout of the year 18 seconds later. Assists on St. John’s power-play goal went to Max Friberg and Daniel Audette.
Berra, who denied Mark MacMillian’s penalty shot bid in the second period, made 20 saves to post the win.
Charlie Lindgren took the loss for the IceCaps, finishing with 30 stops.
The T-Birds will travel to Binghamton to take on the Senators tonight, before returning home to face the Rochester Americans in a Sunday matinee.
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