T-Birds rebound against Charlotte

Story By: Matthew Wiernasz

Photo Courtesy of the Springfield Thunderbirds

SPRINGFIELD, MA- The Springfield Thunderbirds responded against the Charlotte Checkers with a 5-2 victory including four goals in the first period.

Matthew Highmore got the Thunderbirds 21 seconds into the opening period when he deflected a shot from Matt Kessel past through Checkers goaltender Mack Guzda to make it 1-0.

Scott Perunovich one-timed a pass from Matthew Peca to give the Thunderbirds a 2-0 lead with 14:41 remaining in the first period.

Gerry Mayhew cut into the Thunderbird’s lead as he used the wrap-around and beat Hofer to score for the Checkers to make it 2-1 with 12:17 remaining in the first period.

Mathias Laferriere extended the lead for the Thunderbirds as he took the shot from the left faceoff circle that went through the legs of Guzda to make it 3-1 with 6:21 remaining in the first period. Keean Washkurak made it 4-1 as he centered a pass from Mikhail Abramov to complete the first period.

The Checkers made a goaltending change to start the second period as Jean-Francois Berube replaced Guzda. Lucas Carlsson would cut into the Thunderbird’s lead cutting the deficit down to two goals. Carlsson faked out a Thunderbirds defender and beat Hofer with the shot to make it 4-2 1:08 into the second period.

Nikita Alexandrov scored his 13th goal of the season for the Thunderbirds and on his ninth shot of the game as he beat Berube with the wrist shot to make it 5-2.