Cossa, Griffins beat T-Birds

SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Thunderbirds (2-4-0-0) could only score one goal against two goaltenders in a hard-fought 2-1 loss Friday night to the Grand Rapids Griffins (4-1-0-0) at the MassMutual Center.

The T-Birds were the first to score after 6:14 of the first half after an accidental deflection of Corey Schueneman’s shot, which bounced off the end glass and glided towards the blue paint. After Griffins goalkeeper Ville Husso saved his first shot, T-Birds captain Matthew Peca found the net with his second shot to give his team a 1-0 advantage with his first goal of the season.

Over the next 30 minutes of play, the T-Birds ran into penalty trouble as Grand Rapids converted on five different power play chances. T-Birds goalie Colten Ellis was up to the challenge after a penalty kick in the first four, but Nate Danielson finally scored his first professional goal at 16:46 of the second, tying the Griffins and adding momentum for the visitors going on the offensive. in the third.

It was a different story at the other end of the ice as Husso left the game 6:09 into the middle period. Detroit’s 2021 first-round draft pick Sebastian Cossa came on in relief and immediately shined, turning around back-to-back chances for Nikita Alexandrov and Peca.

The 1-1 tie remained until 5:30 of the final period, when a turnover in the defensive zone presented Springfield with a dominant offense. Alex Doucet worked his way down the right circle before sending Gabriel Seger on a smart pass inside, and the rookie Swede scored his first AHL goal to give the Griffins a 2-1 advantage.

In the third quarter, Springfield threw a dozen pucks into Cossa’s net, including several 6-on-4 in the final two minutes, but the Grand Rapids defense avoided the Thunderdome and won 2-1. In their four wins over 12 hockey periods, the Griffins have scored just two goals against their opponent.

In that defeat, Ellis made his third straight start, scoring just two goals while turning down 21 of Grand Rapids’ 23 shots.

On Saturday, the T-Birds hope to get back in the win column when the two-time defending Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears travel to Springfield for the first time this season. Puck’s drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Saturday evening.