AHL: Springfield Thunderbirds Are Red Hot

The Springfield Thunderbirds are one of the hottest teams in the AHL. They are 7-2-0-1 in their last ten games averaging 3.50 goals per game while allowing 2.70 goals per game. They are 4-1-0-0 in March averaging 3.20 goals per game while allowing 2.20 goals per game. The period of being one of the hottest teams in the AHL dates back even further. Since January 26^th they are 12-3-0-2 averaging 3.76 goals per game while allowing 2.53 goals per game. They turned in a 6-2-0-2 February averaging 4.10 goals per game and 2.90 goals allowed per game.

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Offense

The stretch has been led by Matthew Peca. The 31-year-old center is currently on an 11-game point streak. In that stretch, he has 13 points on nine goals and four assists. He has scored a goal in two straight games. Since the stretch started on January 26^th, he has 20 points on 12 goals and eight assists. This season in 53 games he has 50 points on 26 goals and 24 assists. He is fifth in the league in goals, and ninth in points.

Goaltending

The goaltending has also been key with Colten Ellis taking home player of the week honors for last week going 2-0-0-0 in three games posting a 0.72 goals-against average, a .944 save percentage, and a shutout. Since January 26^th he is 7-1-1 with a 1.83 goals-against average, a .989 save percentage, and a shutout. This season he is 20-7-3 with a 2.36 goals-against average, a .928 save percentage, and two shutouts. Ellis leads the league in save percentage, he is second in wins, and ninth in goals-against average. The Thunderbirds backup Vadim Zherenko since January 26^th is 5-2-1 with a 2.96 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage. This season Zherenko is 10-12-3 with a 3.41 goals-against average, and a .898 save percentage.

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What’s Ahead

The Springfield Thunderbirds currently sit in fifth place in the Atlantic Division at 30-20-2-4 and 66 points this weekend they will have three games. First, they play Friday at 7:00 PM EST against the Syracuse Crunch at the Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial in Syracuse, NY. Saturday they will play the Crunch at home at 7:05 PM EST. Sunday they wrap up the weekend with a big game against the Providence Bruins who they trail by four points for fourth place in the division. That will be a home game starting at 3:05 PM EST.

ITR 30: Down The Stretch – Inside The Rink

Join Conrad and Chris as they discuss the NHL General Managers Meetings, Connor Bedard's antics, Mikko Rantanen returning to Colorado, Gabriel Landeskog resumes skating with the team, Ovechkin's Gr8 Chase, and NHL Playoff updates.

1. ITR 30: Down The Stretch 59:42
2. ITR 29: Trade Deadline Review 01:02:40
3. ITR 28: Deadline Week 44:07
4. ITR 27: Trade Season Begins 01:07:33
5. ITR 26: 2 Nations Fighting 42:17