SPRINGFIELD ― Nathan Walker and Dylan Coghlan’s multi-point performances lifted the Springfield Thunderbirds past the Bridgeport Islanders, 5-1 during their seventh annual Teddy Bears Toss event in front of a sold-out crowd of 6,793 on Saturday night.
Vadim Zhrenko remained hot with his fourth-straight win thanks to a 34-save performance.
“Our game started in the first,” Thunderbirds coach Drew Bannister said. “I thought we got to our forecheck early and gave their defense some issues. It forced them to defend more. Overall, I thought our first period was strong.”
Once the puck dropped, The Thunderbirds didn’t look back as they garnered an offensive faceoff when Adam Gaudette fired a simple wrister that Bridgeport netminder Jakub Skarek cast aside, resulting in an offensive faceoff for Springfield.
The home team then capitalized on the early momentum when the faceoff broke, as the puck found its way to Leo Loof, who waited patiently at the point until he found Mackenzie MacEachern in the high slot outside of Skarek’s crease, setting the play in motion.
MacEachern then found Mathias Laferriere as he would slip a quick pass to him. Laferriere then corralled the puck and faked a wrister as he danced around Skarerk’s crease, luring him out of his net before forcing a clean backhander stick side, giving the home team the 1-0 lead at 18:20 remaining in the opening period. Loof and MacEachern each assisted in the play.
“It’s once a year, and you’re just happy to get the team going,” Thunderbirds forward Mathias Laferriee said. “It was a special moment, and I certainly enjoyed it.”
A few moments later, a special moment transpired within the Thunderdome as the fans in attendance showered the ice with various stuffed animals that filled the ice and stopped play for a time, exemplifying what the Teddy Bear Toss event truly represents: giving back to those just in time for the holidays. All the toys that made the ice will be spread out and donated to various charities across the Western Mass area.
Moments later, once play resumed, Springfield continued to gel on offense, foreshadowing they were merely warming up.
Towards the later half of the opening frame, Nathan Walker entered the offensive zone as he faked a slapper and decided to pass the puck back to Gaudette, who then located Dylan Coghlan as he entered the high slot. From there, Coghlan led the charge as he waited for his chance; once he felt comfortable, he fired a quick wrister that blanked Skarek, extending Springfield’s lead 2-0 at 12:10 remaining in the first period. Walker and Gaudette both garnered assists on the play.
The second period was the tale of the goalies, as both Jakub Skarek and Vadim Zhrenko stepped up for their respective teams when it mattered most. In addition, Chances would manifest for both teams, but neither could break through.
Bridgeport struggled to create any offensive presence due to the inability to stretch the ice along with being forced out of the Thunderbirds zone, as Zhrenko continued to make the necessary saves, as the Islanders remained diligent in looking to find a chink in Zhrenko’s armor. Still, the main takeaway was the young netminder’s performance, which kept his team’s lead in effect as the Islanders looked for any signs of offensive scoring.
“I don’t think he(Zhrenko) had a tough night,” said Bannister. “I do admit I think he had some struggles over the last couple of weeks, but he has certainly strung some wins together, and I think see a little bit of confidence present.”
In contrast, Skarek started to settle in during the second period, as he recorded 11 saves, as Springfield’s offense started to fizzle out, running a little cold. Bridgeport then switched up their game plan as they increased their forecheck, swarming the Thunderbirds as they entered the offensive zone, looking to extend their 2-0 lead, but they couldn’t finish.
The third period showed a sense of resurgence for the T-Birds. Sam Bitten provided his teammates a necessary jolt of momentum, leading to an offensive scoring assault after he and Islanders defenseman Travis Mitchell exchanged personal greetings, which resulted in both men going to the penalty box for matching five-minute majors for fighting after dropping the gloves.
“I mean (Sam Bitten) brings all the energy for the whole room,” Thunderbirds forward Nathan Walker said. “You know, he’s a great player and fighter, and it’s nice for him to be in the lineup.”
Seconds later, Joseph Duzak and Bridgeport forward Kyle MacLean were the next sent to the penalty box as both men joined the troops for matching roughing penalties, resulting in a quick sequence of 4-on-4 play.
The Thunderbirds would score twice in 22 seconds as they extended their lead, 4-0.
Calle Rosen located Nathan Walker racing into the offensive zone as he fed him a long cross-ice pass that Walker glued to his stick; once he entered the Bridgeport zone with the puck on his stick, he noticed two defenders trailing behind him. Walker then slipped a forehander that beat Skraek’s glove side, extending their lead 3-0 at 12:42 left in the 3rd period. Kessel and Rosen assisted in the play.
Springfield didn’t let up as minutes later, Walker entered the offensive zone. Puck in hand, he danced around the crease as he noticed Wyatt Kalynuk skated over to the high slot. Kalynuk then sent the one-timer toward Skarek, which zipped through the pads, pushing Springfield ahead, 4-0 at 12:20 left in regulation.
Bridgeport would find the back of the net as Zhrenko’s only blemish would come from a Matthew Maggio one-timer from the red face-off circle, getting the Islanders on the board 4-1 at 9:33 in the 3rd period.
The Thunderbirds would bounce back as Walker skated behind Skarek’s net until he found Springfield captain Matthew Peca sending a quick pass to Dylan Coghlan, who resided in the slot, where he knotted his second goal on the night while on the powerplay after Islanders defenceman Seth Helgeson fell victim to a delay of game penalty, minutes prior. The T-Birds would extend their lead 5-1 at 6:01 left in regulation.
“I think overall, our goaltending tandem, we’re happy where we are with them,” said Bannister after Saturday’s victory. “I think both of them have more to give to as we get forward here, and I think we got to play better in front of them at times.”
The T-Birds return to the ice on Wednesday as the Rochester Americans come to town for the only time this season. The puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m.
