HERSHEY, PA – The Springfield Thunderbirds (4-8-0-0) took a two-goal lead, but were unable to hold off the defending champion Hershey Bears (8-3-1-0), at the Giant Center on Saturday. night in a 3-2 loss.

Looking to bounce back after being beaten by the Bears two weeks earlier, T-Birds goalie Vadim Zherenko was brilliant in the first period, denying 17 Hershey attempts. There were a few A-plus saves in the mix, as Zherenko blocked Aaron Ness on a post-post save in the splits. Later in the frame, Zherenko held his ground at the edge of the paint with his left pad and skated in to prevent Riley Sutter from scoring in close range.