Springfield, MA – The Springfield Thunderbirds defeated divisional rival Providence Bruins 4-2 in an early season matchup on Friday evening. Both teams have revamped rosters for the 2024-25 season and are still finding their chemistry on the ice. The Thunderbirds opened the scoring late in the first period when defenseman Corey Schueneman put home a wrist shot from the point. The Bruins Fabian Lysell would tie the score a minute into the second period on a snap shot from the bottom of the right face off circle. Less than a minute and a half later Thunderbirds Dylan Peterson in a scrum in the Bruins crease with B’s goalie Brandon Bussi on his back would jam home a tally to retake the lead. Marcus Sylvergard would extend the lead to 3-1 at the midway point of the period with a one timer from the top of the left faceoff circle on the power play. Less than half minute later Dylan Peterson would notch his second of the game on a tip in from a shot from the point. The Bruins John Farinacci would get one back as he slid one under the pads of Thunderbirds net minder Colten Ellis coming across through the crease with 1:36 remaining in the period. The two teams played a scoreless third period as the Bruins had the edge in play but Ellis made some timely saves as the Thunderbirds took a penalty late in the period and the Bruins pulled their goalie with 2 minutes remaining.
See my gallery of game photos by Brian Stone Sr for The Calder Times