Bears Take Defensive Dominance on the Road to Springfield
The Hershey Bears head to the MassMutual Center tonight to open a back-to-back weekend series against the Springfield Thunderbirds. With a 7-4-0-0 record, the Bears arrive in Massachusetts carrying the momentum of a 4-1 victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack this past Wednesday. For the Thunderbirds, the 7:05 p.m. puck drop marks a chance to finally break a cold streak on home ice, as they remain one of two teams in the American Hockey League yet to secure a win in front of their own fans this season.
The matchup highlights a stark contrast in defensive discipline. Hershey currently ranks third in the league in shot suppression, allowing an average of just 24.45 shots per game. The team has been remarkably stingy, holding opponents to single-digit shot totals in 10 straight periods, a streak that stretches back to their October 30 victory in Rochester. In their most recent outing against Hartford, the Bears limited the Wolf Pack to just 15 shots on goal.
In contrast, the Springfield Thunderbirds have struggled to keep the puck away from their own net, allowing 32.80 shots per game. Springfield’s home woes have been compounded by a defensive vulnerability that has seen them concede 4.50 goals per game at the MassMutual Center. They enter tonight’s contest looking to recover from a 4-2 loss to Hartford last Sunday.
T.J. Tynan Leads Thunderbirds with Decorated AHL Resume
Despite their slow start, the Thunderbirds possess a potent playmaker in T.J. Tynan. Signed to a one-year contract on July 2, Tynan brings a decorated resume to Springfield, including back-to-back Les Cunningham Awards as the AHL’s most valuable player in 2020-21 and 2021-22. With 587 career assists, he ranks seventh in league history, and he currently leads the Thunderbirds with 10 points through 10 games.
The roster overlap between these two clubs adds a layer of familiarity to the game. Hershey’s lineup includes Jacob MacDonald, who is set to play his first game against his old team since departing the franchise following the 2018-19 season—a year in which he led all Springfield defensemen with 43 points. Other Bears with ties to the T-Birds include Sam Bitten and Dylan McIlrath. On the other side, Springfield features Nathan Walker, Kale Kessy, and Calle Rosén, all of whom have previously played for the Bears.
Statistical Stakes for the Weekend
For the Bears, the primary challenge tonight is adjusting to life on the road. Having played nine of their first 11 games at home, Hershey has the lowest road-game count in the AHL. While they hold a lifetime record of 33-9-3-1 against the Thunderbirds at the MassMutual Center, the lack of travel experience could be a variable as they begin this two-game set.
The individual performances have been equally telling. Louie Belpedio, who scored in Wednesday’s win, currently sits tied for the league lead for game-winning goals by a defenseman. Meanwhile, Andrew Cristall and Spencer Smallman lead the Bears with 10 points on the season.
As the two teams prepare for a rematch tomorrow, November 7, the pressure is squarely on the Thunderbirds to tighten their defensive shell. Springfield’s inability to close out home games—highlighted by their 0-3-2-1 record in their own building—suggests that tonight’s game will be decided by whether the T-Birds can find a way to handle Hershey’s disciplined, shot-suppressing structure.
