The Springfield Thunderbirds, in conjunction with CHD and Springfield College’s Department of Occupational Therapy, will host their fifth annual sensory-friendly game on Sunday, March 16, at 3:05 p.m., when the Thunderbirds host the Providence Bruins.
The game presentation will feature decreased stimulation, including no goal horn or noise meters, decreased microphone and music volume, no strobing lights, and consistent lighting throughout the game and pregame, as well as two “cool-down stations”—quiet areas away from the seating bowl—and a “sensory story” booklet and other supportive items for guests.
Since their inaugural season in 2016, the Springfield Thunderbirds have been partners with CHD, celebrating community-focused initiatives and difference makers in the western Mass. community. At each T-Birds home game, a Game Changer award is presented to a member of the crowd who has bettered his or her community in ways both large and small. Additionally, the two organizations have partnered to create an opportunity for all—including those with physical limitations—to enjoy the game of hockey with the introduction of the CHD Sled Hockey Thunderbirds. The Springfield Thunderbirds, through Hockey Fights Cancer and other initiatives, have also been steadfast supporters of the CHD Cancer House of Hope, which is committed to providing access to free services and therapies that bring comfort, care, strength, resilience, and hope to patients with cancer and their loved ones.
Ben Craft, vice president of Community Engagement at CHD, noted that “CHD and the T-Birds started the sensory game five years ago, and it quickly became a favorite among families and fans who may not otherwise have been able to fully enjoy the excitement of hockey in Springfield. Inclusion and opportunity are at the core of CHD’s mission, and in our strong partnership with the Thunderbirds, we are together demonstrating that care finds a way.”
If you are interested in purchasing tickets with a REDUCED ADMISSION PRICE, starting at $17, click here.