T-Birds face tough loss against Providence

Story By: Matthew Wiernasz

Photo Courtesy of the Springfield Thunderbirds

SPRINGFIELD, MA- The Springfield Thunderbirds lost to the Providence Bruins 4-1. Providence would get two quick goals in the first period.

Curtis Hall scored his first goal of the season beating T-Birds goaltender Garret Sparks to make it 1-0 5:44 into the opening period. John Beecher extended the lead for the Bruins 90 seconds when he took the centering pass from Chris Wagner and went to the crease to make it 2-0 for the Bruins.

Martin Frk would score the only goal for the Thunderbirds as he was able to put the backhander past Bruins goaltender Brandon Bussi to make it 2-1 with 1:01 remaining in the second period.

However, the Bruins would get two more goals in the third period. Georgii Merklouv took the puck and would use the wrist shot that went Sparks to extend the lead for the Bruins to 3-1.

Bruins forward Chris Wagner would give his team insurance with an empty net goal with 2:09 remaining in regulation to make it 4-1 for the Bruins.

The T-Birds did receive a point in a shootout loss the following day in Providence. The final score was 2-1.  T-Birds goaltender Vadim Zherenko made a career-high 57 saves.