After struggling right out the gate, the Springfield Thunderbirds wound up turning it around. Just eight games into the 72 game AHL season, they now sit at 4-4 after the first month of play.
The Thunderbirds have had some really good play, but like every other team, they’ve also had some lackluster play as well. This is about the former.
Here’s who I see as the Thunderbirds’ three stars for the month of October.
Third Star – Matthew Peca (F)
The third-star was tough to pick for the first month, as there were a few tough choices to make in this one, but in the first month of the season, captain Matthew Peca was a force to be reckoned with on the ice.
Peca has played in all eight games thus far this season, and has collected nine points in that span. In the nine points, he has amassed two goals and seven assists. It is the latter that really puts him on this list. As the captain, sometimes it is key to help the team at all costs. Sometimes that even involves taking a backseat for your own statistics.
Throughout the first eight games, Peca has also only been assessed four penalty minutes. In addition to that, he has also collected a +6 plus/minus rating, where he ranks third in the league. If Peca keeps up this torrid track, he may be in line to move up the stars list for November.
Second Star – Nathan Walker (F)
The second star of the month, and star of the third episode of Calder’s Calling, is Nathan Walker. Much like Peca, Walker has been tough to wrangle out on the ice.
Walker has also played in all eight games for Springfield, and has racked up 10 points. He has four goals, and six assists thus far. Among those four goals was the first goal of the season for the Thunderbirds.
With his level of NHL experience, he may be one of the first call-ups this season if any injuries pop-up for St. Louis or the need for depth arises.
First Star – Adam Gaudette (F)
Okay, be honest with me, are you really surprised by this pick? In the first month of the season, Adam Gaudette played out of his mind to say the least.
With points in every game of the Thunderbirds’ first eight games but one, there was no doubt that Gaudette would be the best fit to be the first star. In fact, him being named the AHL Player of the Month, further solidified this position. Gaudette finished the first month with a league-leading nine goals, and two assists (11 points). Among those nine goals six came on the power play.
Gaudette also set a franchise record with goals in six consecutive games, beating out a previous record of five in a row. That record was previously held by Anthony Greco. Gaudette is not long for the AHL, don’t be surprised if you see him get called up to the Blues anytime soon.
Honorable mention: Vadim Zherenko (G)
Coming off a season where he played second fiddle to Joel Hofer just about the whole season, Springfield head coach Drew Bannister was expecting big things out of goaltender Vadim Zherenko.
After not being named the opening night starter, and once again being relegated to back-up duties, Zherenko decided to show the league who’s boss. Zherenko, quite possibly, could have taken the job back for himself going into the second month of the season.
In the month of October, Zherenko went 3-1 and held a 2.25 GAA, and a .937 SV% which was good for seventh-best in the AHL.
What’s next for Springfield?
Springfield’s next game is on Friday, November 3 when they take on the Belleville Senators at the MassMutual Center – puck drop is slated for 7:05 p.m.
