SPRINGFIELD – Behind two factors from Mackenzie MacEachern and a game-high 38 saves for goalie Joel Hofer, the Springfield Thunderbirds earned a 4-2 win towards the Charlotte Checkers in the course of the franchise’s fifth annual Military Appreciation Night on the MassMutual Center Saturday.
“I thought we started well in the first period by creating opportunities and playing with competitiveness,” Thunderbirds coach Drew Bannister stated. “I thought we had a good forecheck that forced them to defend. On a side note, Hofer was outstanding, especially towards the end.
“Him and Charlie (Lindgren) both play well together; they’re always training and cheering each other on.”
Springfield has claimed seven of its final 10 video games as they sit atop the Atlantic Division with a report of 28-15-5-2, whereas the Checkers (26-20-3-0) stay in fifth place.
With Charlotte trailing by two targets in the course of the ultimate moments of regulation, Springfield’s Hugh McGing was referred to as for tripping. While the Checkers got here up quick on their earlier power-play makes an attempt, Chase Priskie made certain Charlotte had higher luck the third time round when he plucked a free puck out of mid-air.
Once underneath management, the defenseman despatched an ideal cross-pass by means of site visitors to Max McCormick for a one-timer, reducing the Checkers deficit to 3-2 with 11:50 left on the clock. Former Thunderbird Owen Tippett recorded a secondary help on the play.
In the tip, Alexey Toropchenko scored an empty-netter in the course of the ultimate seconds to assist Springfield come away with the two-goal win.
“We’ve been in these situations featuring a tight game against a good hockey team,” Bannister stated. “You just have to get back it and do what you have to do.”
Halfway by means of the opening interval, each side had tried a mixed 18 photographs with nothing to point out on the scoreboard.
All of that modified as soon as Springfield formulated its offense down low.
Tyler Tucker linked with Nikita Alexandrov behind Connor Carrick for a fast one-timer, giving the Thunderbirds a 1-0 lead with 6:58 remaining within the body. The objective was Alexandrov’s eighth, whereas Nathan Walker is now third on the workforce with 22 assists.
Through 20 minutes of motion, Springfield maintained a 1-0 lead whereas additionally outshooting Charlotte, 17-11.
Early within the second, Steven Santini linked with MacEachern alongside the boards with no defenders in sight. The left-winger doubled his workforce’s margin behind a fast wrister from the pink faceoff circle. The objective was MacEachern’s third in as many video games, whereas McGing and Santini every tallied assists on the play.
Both groups then traded targets within the second to maintain issues attention-grabbing.
With the Checkers needing a spark midway by means of the body, Cole Schwindt pressured a turnover and situated an open Henry Bowlby forward of the pack. Once the left-winger maneuvered past Scott Perunovich, he sent a quick wrister past Hofer in the slot, reducing their workforce’s deficit in half at 2-1.
The scoring was simply getting began, as Springfield was awarded its first power-play try following Priskie’s penalty. Fewer than 30 seconds later, Perunovich made his mark, scoring his first objective since rejoining the Thunderbirds and pushing the lead to 3-1 getting into the second intermission.
Through 19 video games with the St. Louis Blues this season, Perunovich tallied six assists. The 23-year-old credited that determine to inconsistent taking part in time. Perunovich stated he’s beginning to really feel like himself after a short rehab project again in Springfield.
“Playing in games helps,” he stated. “When you’re playing more, you get more opportunities to touch the puck and make plays. Our coaches have talked about how other teams are reading off my passes. But, of course, it doesn’t help when everyone knows I’m not going to shoot.
“But I’m trying to shoot more, especially when our presence grows.”
The Thunderbirds will proceed their five-game homestand towards the Hershey Bears on Friday, March 4, at 7:05 p.m.
“We have to keep playing our game,” stated Perunovich of his workforce’s subsequent matchup. “We know we’re a good team, and our forwards are powerhouses. And we don’t know many teams that can skate with them.
“Overall, though, you have to take it one day at a time and keep getting better.”
