AHL Game Recap: Thunderbirds Comeback Comes Up Short

Originally posted on Inside The Rink | By Chris Lavallee | Last updated Feb 5, 2026 1:19 AM ET

The Springfield Thunderbirds continue their road trip tonight with the second of a six-game trip as they face the Syracuse Crunch. The Thunderbirds are coming off a 4-0 loss to the Islanders on Sunday afternoon. The Crunch are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Penguins on Saturday. Vadim Zherenko got the start for the Thunderbirds, bringing a 10-10-3 record with a 3.08 goals-against average, and a .904 save percentage. Brandon Halverson got the net for the Crunch, bringing in a 13-6-3 record with a 2.40 goals-against average, a .904 save percentage, and three shutouts.

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Springfield Thunderbirds vs. Syracuse Crunch

First Period

Syracuse had the first shot on goal, then Springfield took momentum with three shots before Chris Wagner got on the board with his 14th of the year to make it 1-0. Springfield then got a power play as Steven Santini went to the box for tripping. Syracuse killed off the penalty without allowing a shot on goal. Shortly after their penalty ended Syracuse tied the game as Tristan Allard scored his fifth of the season. It took 21 seconds after the goal for Springfield to take the lead back as Michael Buchinger scored his fourth of the year. Just as the period was about to come to a close all chaos happened. Marc-André Gaudet took a penalty for Springfield for holding with 26 seconds left. Nine seconds into the man advantage Dylan Duke scored his 21st goal of the season. Then with one second left, the Crunch took their first lead of the game as Wyatt Newpower scored his first of the season to make it 3-2. Each team finished with seven shots on goal.

Second Period

The middle period started with Syracuse recording three shots on goal before Springfield got one. Just over five minutes into the period Syracuse added to their lead as Maxim Groshev scored his second of the season. Later with 7.5 minutes left in the period Springfield took a penalty with Wagner going to the box for unsportsmanlike conduct. Over a minute later it was four on four with Ethan Gauthier going to the box for hooking. Neither team would convert in the period after with the game still 4-2. Syracuse outshot Springfield 9-6.

Third Period

Syracuse took a penalty 45 seconds into the final period as Lucas Mercuri went to the box for hooking. Springfield had six shots on the power play before Aleksanteri Kaskimaki scored his tenth goal of the year to make it a one-goal game. The Thunderbirds had one more power play chance but they couldn’t convert and Halverson continued to shut down Springfield after the goal to hang out for a 4-3 win. Springfield finished with 17 shots on goal in the period outshooting Syracuse 17-4 in the final 20 minutes.

Wrap Up

Zherenko stopped 16 of the 20 shots he faced. Halverson stopped 27 shots of the 30 shots he faced. Allard was the first star with his goal. Duke was the second star with his goal and an assist. Newpower was the third star with a goal and an assist.

Next Up

Springfield continues the road trip as they’ll head to Rochester on Friday night to face the Americans with puck drop at 7:05 PM EST. The Crunch welcome the Belleville Senators on Friday night, with puck drop set for 7:00 PM EST.

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This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

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