SPRINGFIELD – An early deficit proved insurmountable for the Springfield Thunderbirds in their season opener on Saturday night. In front of a raucous sellout crowd, the Thunderbirds fell to the Charlotte Checkers, 4-3.

The fans did not have much time to stay rowdy when the Checkers scored 19 seconds into the game and eventually led 3-0 in the first period. But the Thunderbirds pulled together and got to within one goal on two separate occasions but could not get the equalizer.

“There was no quit, for sure,” Thunderbirds coach Steve Konowalchuk said. “The energy and enthusiasm were there. A lot of energy throughout the game.”

With their net empty and trailing, 4-2, the Thunderbirds made a charge at tying the game in the final minutes. A Juraj Pekarcik slapper beat Charlotte goalie Cooper

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