Springfield Thunderbirds Push For The Playoffs

Springfield Massachusetts 4/8/2019 - The Springfield Thunderbirds playoff hopes are looking better than ever.

The T-Birds currently sit 8th place in the AHL and 2nd place in the North Division.  9 points separate Springfield from the last remaining playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.  The Thunderbirds will look to remain consistent for the last 18 games of the season.

Forward Sammy Blais and Defenseman Carson Soucy joined the T-Birds after a trade involving The Devils and Blackhawks just under a month ago.  Both Blais and Soucy stepped directly into top line roles, putting up a combined 10 points in the process.  Blais, 22, is a huge addition for the forward corps, and still has potential as a top 9 option for the Devils.  Overall play and production at the AHL level has been terrific, but there is still plenty to prove.  Soucy at 24 is serving as a steady, minute muncher for the T-Birds and has an outside shot at becoming a 5th or 6th Defenseman.

Expectations for Springfield were sky high after a series of changes in the offseason.  The team started its season with one win before dropping 11 straight.  Since their tumultuous start, The Thunderbirds have won 31 of their last 46 games.  Blais and Soucy join the team at a crucial point in the season where The T-Birds sit just 4 points back of Laval for 1st in the North Division.

The youth infused Thunderbirds have been lead by the likes of scoring leader Nick Merkley, along with stud AHL Rookies Casey Mittelstadt Henrik Borgstrom and Dillon Dube. Outside of Assistant Captain's Ryan White and Harry Zolniercyk, the bulk of Springfield's veteran presence comes from the back end.  Blue liners Chad Ruhwedal, Brent Regner, Adam Pardy, Mark Fayne, and newly acquired Soucy bring a wealth of experience.  In goal, Eric Comrie outperformed Jared Coreau thus far, with 18 wins in 33 games, posting a Save Percentage of .914 in the process. 

The next step for this talented Thunderbirds team is to continue coming together down the stretch.

In closing, here’s a look at Springfield’s current depth chart as they embark on the final 18 games of the season.