T-Birds make it four in a row against the Islanders

Story By: Matthew Wiernasz

Photo Courtesy of the Springfield Thunderbirds

SPRINGFIELD, MA-  Thunderbirds forward Martin Frk scored two goals including the game-winning goal in overtime as they defeated the Bridgeport Islanders for the fourth time in a row 4-3 at the MassMutual Center on Friday evening.

” Not an ideal night way to win the game but did give up a 3-1 lead going into the third period. It’s an important two points. Didn’t have an issue with the effort.” Thunderbirds Head Coach Drew Bannister Said

“We’re in a tough spot.  We’ve been grinding these last two-three weeks. Disappointing result but I do like the character in the group. I thought the group found a way to get a point. That’s a big point for us. We want to take it and build on it.” Islanders Head Coach Brent Thompson Said

Both goaltenders were tested in the opening period. Thunderbirds goaltender Joel Hofer denied scoring chances on Islanders forward Jeff Kubiak. Thunderbirds forward Will Bitten had a breakaway scoring chance but was denied by Islanders goaltender Ken Appleby.

The Thunderbirds got on the board in the second period as Martin Frk accepted the pass from Mathias Laferriere.  Frk would score on the one-timer for his first goal of the evening to make it 1-0 with 15:28 remaining in the second period.

The Islanders would tie the game four-minutes later as Kyle McLean scored to make it even at 1-1.

Keean Washkurak retook the lead for the Thunderbirds as he scored from the right faceoff circle as he used the wrist shot to beat Appleby stick side to make it 2-1 with 6:01 remaining in the second period.

Steven Jandric extended the lead for the T-Birds as he deflected a shot from Thunderbirds defenseman Dmitri Samorukov to make it 3-1 after two periods of play.

The Islanders would respond in the third period. William Dufour took the loose puck and was to put it past Thunderbirds goaltender Joel Hofer with 14:59 remaining in regulation to cut the score down to one to make it 3-2. Chris Terry would end up tying the game for the Islanders with 11:17 remaining in regulation as he scored with a one-timer goal.

The game would head into overtime as this would be the third time during the season series. Martin Frk would put an end to the game with 1:13 left in the extra period as he scored the game-winning goal with the wrist shot to make the score 4-3.

The Islanders did take on the Providence Bruins on Saturday in Bridgeport and would lose 6-3 at Total Mortgage Arena.