SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Thunderbirds (1-7-1-1) had a tough go on special teams, falling 6-2 to the Bridgeport Islanders (4-6-1-0) on Friday night inside a sold-out MassMutual Center.

The Islanders wasted little time taking a lead 1:39 into the action, as Marc Gatcomb cashed in on a rebound after Vadim Zherenko denied an initial breakaway chance for ex-Thunderbird Matthew Highmore.

After seeing their first power play go by the wayside, the Thunderbirds succumbed to a late-period goal from Joey Larson, as the rookie gathered a puck in the right circle and surprised Zherenko with a turnaround bid at 18:16 of the frame.

A fortuitous break got Springfield within a goal at 8:34 of the second period. After Zherenko outletted the puck to Juraj Pekarcik at center ice, the rookie winger fli

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