All of the sudden, things are definitely heating up down on the farm.
The Springfield Thunderbirds returned home riding a three-game winning streak and promptly extended it to four, cruising to 5-1 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Maxim Mamim, Dryden Hunt, Chase Balisy, Curtis Valk and Ludwig Bystrom scored the goals and Samuel Montembeault made 26 saves in the afternoon matinee victory. Valk also added two assists, giving him a team-leading 33 points.
The Florida Panthers get a few more days off before they host the Vegas Golden Knights.
The astounding Western Conference-leading Knights, who are 10-1-1 in their last 12 games, will open a four-game road trip tonight in Nashville and play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday before they face the Cats.