Thunderbirds come up short against Checkers in front of team’s 10th consecutive sellout (photos)

SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Thunderbirds (27-29-3-2) had no shortage of offensive pressure with 30 shots on net but could not solve the Charlotte Checkers (32-23-6-0) in a 2-0 loss on Friday night before the club’s 10th consecutive sellout crowd of 6,793 fans. T-Birds starting netminder Vadim Zherenko had to be ready from the drop of the puck as Charlotte raced out on the shot board, taking 14 of the first 18 attempts on goal. “Big Z” was there to answer each challenge, which included a shorthanded breakaway save on Rasmus...