Springfield, MA – The Charlotte Checkers delivered another untimely defeat to the slumping Springfield Thunderbirds Saturday evening with a 2-0 shutout behind stellar play from goaltender Spencer Knight. Vadim Zherenko kept Charlotte off the score sheet with some stellar saves. Springfield picked up their pace late in the first period and came out in the second with that same energy. After a back-and-forth period, it was Charlotte’s Michael Benning who lit the lamp late with a shot from the point that had eyes. Charlotte would score again early in the third when Will Lockwood tipped in Benning’s shot from the end. With just over two minutes left, Springfield pulled their goalie but couldn’t put one by Knight, who earned his fourth shutout of the season.Â
Springfield has fallen out of the last playoff position behind the surging Lehigh Valley Phantoms, who have two games in hand with the Thunderbirds, entering the season’s final stretch.Â
See my gallery of game photos by Brian Stone Sr for The Calder Times.
