It’s another big weekend for the red hot Springfield Thunderbirds. They are seeking a team record tenth consecutive win when they play tonight against the Providence Bruins.
The Bruins are in first place in the Atlantic Division of the American Hockey League with a one point lead over the Hershey Bears.
The Thunderbirds are in 5th place 14 points out of first place.
Both teams are playing strong hockey. Both the Bruins and Thunderbirds are 5-0 in their last five games.
Matthew Highmore continues to lead the Thunderbirds in scoring with 45 points.
Providence left wing Georgil Merkulov leads the Bruins with 35 points.
The Thunderbirds will have a vastly different roster from the last time they squared off against the Bruins on Dec. 3, the clubs' fifth meeting of 2022-23. The Bruins have won four of the first five meetings, holding the Springfield offense to just 12 goals over those five games. During their nine-game win streak, Springfield has outscored the opposition 39-15, averaging 4.33 goals per game in that time while allowing a minuscule 1.67 goals against.
The Bruins also have yet to face a Thunderbirds team featuring Matthew Pecca this season, as the T-Birds' veteran centerman has been lighting up opposing netminders since his return to the lineup on Jan. 13. Peca's 15 points in 12 games are tied for sixth-most in the AHL dating back to his return, and defenseman Brady Lyle also has posted 15 points in that time frame, the second-most among AHL blueliners.
From Providence, the Thunderbirds are in Bridgeport Saturday night before returning to The Amp in Providence for a rematch.
All games- home and away are right here on Newsradio 560 WHYN.
(Photo Credit: Lucas Armstrong, Springfield Thunderbirds Media)
(Ryan Smith/Springfield contributed to this story)