SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Springfield Thunderbirds (1-6-1-0) again fell victim to a second-period blitz and some poor puck luck in a 5-3 loss to the Charlotte Checkers (4-3-1-0) on Saturday night inside the MassMutual Center.

Special teams units were taxed in the opening period as the two foes combined for five power plays in the first 20 minutes. Yet despite all that man-advantage time, the T-Birds struck first at even strength when former Checker Matt Luff roared up the left-wing side and snapped a wrister past the glove of Cooper Black to make it a 1-0 score at 6:52.

With the T-Birds trying to add to their lead on an abbreviated power play, a misplay of the puck gave Sandis Vilmanis a breakaway while shorthanded, and the second-year pro successfully slipped a forehander under the legs

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