Springfield Thunderbirds Claim Victory over Lehigh Valley Phantoms in School Day Showdown
In a thrilling School Day Game held at the MassMutual Center, the Springfield Thunderbirds emerged victorious, defeating the Lehigh Valley Phantoms by a score of 4-2. The Thunderbirds (7-5-0-0) once again demonstrated their skill and determination, securing their second consecutive win against the Phantoms (4-5-2-0).
Malcolm Subban, the starting goaltender for the Thunderbirds, showcased his talent by making 22 saves out of 24 attempts from the Lehigh Valley skaters. On the opposing end, Phantoms’ netminder Parker Gahagen made 28 saves out of 31 shots fired at him by the relentless Thunderbirds’ offense.
Right from the start, Springfield made their intentions clear. Just 20 seconds into the game, Adam Gaudette found the back of the net, scoring his 10th goal of the season. Gaudette capitalized on a 2-on-1 opportunity, with Matthew Peca providing the assist, and Nathan Walker also contributing to the play. This goal not only gave the Thunderbirds an early lead but also propelled Gaudette and Walker into a tie for first place in the AHL scoring race with 16 points each.
Despite the Thunderbirds’ early dominance, the Phantoms managed to level the score before the end of the first period. Wade Allison capitalized on a 2-on-1 rush, beating Subban and netting his first goal of the season at 16:04. As the teams headed into the first intermission, the score was tied at 1-1, with the Thunderbirds maintaining a slight advantage in shots on goal, leading 11-7.
The second period saw the Thunderbirds continue to control the game, particularly during 5-on-5 play. However, it took until the 13-minute mark for them to regain the lead. Mackenzie MacEachern capitalized on a perfectly executed 2-on-1 play, courtesy of a pinpoint pass from Hugh McGing, to register his third goal of the season and give the Thunderbirds a 2-1 edge.
Once again, the Phantoms fought back. Cooper Marody scored on the power play with a skilled wrist shot from the top of the right circle at 15:53, equalizing the score at 2-2. As the second period concluded, both teams retreated to their respective dressing rooms, deadlocked in a highly competitive contest.
The tension continued to rise in the third period, with the Thunderbirds nearly breaking the tie on their second power play opportunity. Defenseman Calle Rosen set up Zachary Bolduc for a one-timer from the right circle, only for the puck to strike the crossbar. However, the Thunderbirds’ persistence paid off as Gaudette once again proved to be the catalyst for their success. Gaudette received a precise pass from Rosen in the slot area, executed a deceptive move to the backhand, and outsmarted Gahagen with a forehand-to-backhand deke, scoring his 11th goal of the season and securing his second goal of the game.
With the Phantoms pulling Gahagen from the net with 1:45 remaining in the game, the Thunderbirds took advantage of the opportunity. After MacEachern cleared the puck past a Phantoms attacker, McGing seized the chance and shot towards the vacated net, with the puck finding its way into the back of the net. McGing’s efforts earned him his second point of the day and solidified the Thunderbirds’ victory.
This win marks the Thunderbirds’ second consecutive triumph against the Phantoms, setting a positive tone as they prepare to hit the road and face off against the Providence Bruins and Bridgeport Islanders. The Thunderbirds will then return home next Friday, November 17, for an exciting matchup against the Utica Comets, the first of four meetings between the teams this season. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Thunderdome.
The Springfield Thunderbirds have once again displayed their skill and determination, securing a well-deserved victory over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. With each passing game, the Thunderbirds are solidifying their standing in the league and showcasing their potential for greatness.
Keywords: Springfield Thunderbirds, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, School Day Game, victory, Malcolm Subban, Parker Gahagen, Adam Gaudette, Matthew Peca, Nathan Walker, AHL scoring race, Wade Allison, Mackenzie MacEachern, Hugh McGing, Cooper Marody, Calle Rosen, Zachary Bolduc, third-period goal, resilient Thunderbirds, deceptive moves, Providence Bruins, Bridgeport Islanders, Utica Comets, Thunderdome, triumph, skill and determination.
