AHL: Zherenko Stands Tall; Thunderbirds Win First Home Game

This morning, the Springfield Thunderbirds and Laval Rocket faced off at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA. The Thunderbirds came into the game on an eight-game losing streak, while the Rocket came in riding a three-game winning streak. Vadim Zherenko got the start in net for the Thunderbirds coming into this one 1-3-2 with a 3.06 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage. Jacob Fowler was in for Laval, bringing in a 5-2-0 record with a 2.29 goals-against average, a .914 save percentage, and two shutouts.

Laval Rocket vs. Springfield Thunderbirds

First Period

The Thunderbirds had their chances in the opening period as they got the game’s first power play. Springfield had a chance to get on the board during the man advantage, but the puck slid through the crease with three Thunderbirds standing in front of the net. They would strike, though, just a few minutes after the power play ended, as Nikita Alexandrov, while falling to the ice, scored his second of the season with assists from Matt Luff and Marc-Andre Gaudet. That would be the lone goal in the period as Springfield outshot Laval 9-7.

Second Period

The middle period saw each team go on the power play, with Laval getting one chance while Springfield had two chances, but neither team could find the back of the net. Springfield also once again outshot the Rocket as they had seven shots while Laval had six in the period.

Third Period

The Rocket started the final period on the power play, but they couldn’t convert. The Thunderbirds, after the halfway point of the period, finally solved Fowler again as Nikita Susuyev fed Hugh McGing, who beat Fowler top shelf to make it 2-0. It was McGing’s second of the season. The Rocket got one back just over a minute later as Luke Tuch beat Zherenko with a wrister glove side to make it 2-1. Tuch hit Otto Stenberg, and McGing responded as he and Tuch dropped the gloves. The Rocket had their chance on the power-play late in the third, but Zherenko stood tall. Matt Luff would score an empty-netter to secure the win for Springfield. It was Luff’s fifth of the season. The Rocket outshot the Thunderbirds 12-10 in the final period.

Wrap Up

Zherenko stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced, earning him the second star of the game. Fowler stopped 23 of the 25 shots he faced in the loss. McGing was the first star, and Luff was the third star.

Next Up:

The Thunderbirds return on Friday when they face the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on the road at 7:05 PM EST. The Rocket face the Hartford Wolf Pack on Saturday in Hartford with puck drop at 6:00 PM EST.