Thunderbirds' Special Teams Hold Off Phantoms in 2-1 Win

Springfield leaned on special teams and a battle-tested goaltender to grind out a 2-1 victory over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at the MassMutual Center, evening the season series at 2-2. Juraj Pekarcik opened the scoring at 6:32 of the first period on the power play, and Chris Wagner added a one-timer at 18:48 to give Springfield a two-goal cushion. Phil Tomasino responded for Lehigh Valley with a power-play snipe at 16:53 of the second, but the Phantoms could not find an equalizer.

Pekarcik’s goal came after an Otto Stenberg pass caromed off Dillon Dube and skipped into the blue paint, where the rookie “subtly flopped it over Aleksei Kolosov’s shoulder.” Springfield’s club release called it Pekarcik’s first goal in 20 games, while game recaps listed it as his sixth of the season. Wagner’s finish was set up by Alek Kaskimaki and was recorded as his 12th of the year by one boxscore. The quick pair of power-play strikes improved Springfield’s season success against Lehigh Valley to 6-for-11 on the man advantage, a figure that proved decisive in a tightly played contest.

Goaltending shaped the middle and closing frames. Vadim Zherenko weathered a violent mid-third-period collision when Zayde Wisdom crashed the net; Zherenko was bloodied but remained in the game, turning aside seven shots in the third to secure his 10th win of the season. Aleksei Kolosov for Lehigh Valley allowed the two power-play goals but otherwise was staunch at even strength, effectively shutting down Springfield at 5-on-5 after the opening frame. Lehigh Valley’s Anthony Richard produced several dangerous chances, including a pair of point-blank opportunities set up by Oliver Bonk, but could not beat Zherenko.

The game was defensive-minded throughout, with 5-on-5 play a low-event slog into the final period. Lehigh Valley pushed late with the extra attacker, winning a number of faceoffs in the last two minutes, but Quinton Burns and the Springfield penalty killers held firm after a brief flurry that included a later scrap between Burns and Wisdom.

Beyond the scoreboard, the contest crystallizes several trends in the AHL: special teams can swing division-level rivalries, goaltender toughness matters in the grind of midseason schedules, and contributions from depth players and rookies lift marketable storylines. For Springfield, effective power-play execution against a familiar opponent not only delivered two standings points but also fuels momentum for the home crowd as the club closes its five-game homestand. Ticket information remains available through the club; fans may call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) for single-game seats and memberships.

The win keeps Springfield competitive in the matchup with Lehigh Valley and hands the T-Birds a morale-boosting result built on situational hockey and net-front resilience. Springfield now turns its attention to the remainder of the homestand, hoping special teams and Zherenko’s form carry into the next rivalry test.