Frk OT Winner Gives T-Birds First Two Points of the Season at Home
October 28, 2022 – American Hockey League (AHL) – Springfield Thunderbirds News Release
Springfield Thunderbirds’ Martin Frk and Will Bitten celebrate win
(Springfield Thunderbirds)
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – With his 1st goal of the season, Martin Frk scored the game winner in overtime to give the Springfield Thunderbirds (3-3-0-0) their first win on home ice this season, beating the Bridgeport Islanders (4-1-1-0) 7-6, on Friday night inside the MassMutual Center.
It was a multi-point night for Nikita Alexandrov (3G, 1A), Frk (1G, 3A), Nathan Todd (2G, 1A), Tommy Cross (3A), Hugh McGing (1G,1A) and Matthew Highmore (2A).
A busy first 20 minutes of play, left the Thunderbirds with a 2-0 lead on goals from Alexandrov and Todd. There was a total of 33 shots on goal in the first, with 17 for Bridgeport and 16 for Springfield.
On the first powerplay of the game at 14:19, Springfield started their scoring with Alexandrov putting the puck in on a rebound from just outside of the paint. Highmore took the initial shot from high in the slot, on a pass from Todd.
Just two and a half minutes later at even strength, Todd was able to take a few steps down into the slot for a clear shot on goaltender Jakub Skarek. He beat Skarek high blocker side, hitting the puck off the post and in to take the 2-0 lead.
The second and third periods saw a flurry of goals from both teams, with 10 goals total.
The Islanders cut the lead in half early in the second period on a goal from Ruslan Iskhakov, which was his team leading 7th point of the season.
Just 17 seconds later with his 2nd goal of the night, Alexandrov put the rebound in the net once again, on the initial shot from the point from Cross.
On a Springfield powerplay with just 1 second left, there was a turnover at the defensive blue line when Simon Holmstrom skated in alone to beat goaltender Joel Hofer. This is the first shorthanded goal that the Thunderbirds have given up this season and brought the Islanders within 1 goal.
Less than a minute later, Grant Hutton tied the game at 3, on a shot from outside of the top of the right circle to beat Hofer.
The T-Birds kept coming and Alexandrov earned the team’s first hat trick of the season, to give Springfield the lead once again. On a shot from Matthew Kessel, Alexandrov was able to corral the rebound and while dropping to his knees, he beat Skarek for his 3rd goal of the game and his 1st AHL hat trick.
The Islanders had a 5 on 3 powerplay to start the third period, but the Thunderbirds were able to kill it off. Immediately, Springfield took a 5-3 lead, when Todd scored his 2nd goal of the night. Alexandrov was able to turn the puck over in the corner and it bobbled out in front of the net to Todd who was all alone. Incredible hand eye coordination allowed Todd to bat the puck into the back of the net.
As a Springfield penalty expired, the Islanders broke down the ice on a 2-on-1, with William Dufour scoring on a one timer from Aatu Raty, to bring the Islanders back within 1 goal once again.
With just 4:32 left in the third period, the Islanders tied the game for the second time, on a goal from Erik Brown who was able to beat Hofer.
Springfield took a tripping penalty at 16:20 and just 11 seconds later on the powerplay, Andy Andreoff gave the Islanders the lead for the first time in the game on a tip right in front of Hofer.
That wasn’t it for the Thunderbirds, as McGing scored on a one timer to tie the game at 6 with just 2 minutes left in the third. Highmore was able to thread a pass right through the slot to a waiting McGing who stepped into the shot for the goal.
The game went to overtime, and it was a powerplay goal that gave the Thunderbirds the 7-6 win. With his 1st goal of the season, Frk scored the game winner on a one timer at the top of the left circle, on a pass from Cross who was at the top of the slot.
The T-Birds continue their three-game weekend with a rematch against the Providence Bruins at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. Springfield will also visit the Bruins on Sunday afternoon at 3:05 p.m. at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Thunderbirds fans can reserve their seats for the 2022-23 season and lock in the best prices and member benefits by calling (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visiting www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.
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