
Thunderbirds vs. Wolves
AHL CALDER CUP FINALS - GAME 5
Thunderbirds vs. Wolves
AHL CALDER CUP FINALS - GAME 5
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Springfield Thunderbirds rode a 34-save shutout from ex-Laval Rocket goalie Charlie Lindgren on Wednesday night in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, and the T-Birds advanced to Springfield's first AHL Calder Cup Finals since 1991, as well as the first in T-Birds club history, with a 4-0 win over the Rocket.
Laval earned the first power-play chance of the night just 2:40 into the contest, and it put Springfield starting goaltender Charlie Lindgren to work early. "Chuckie Sideburns" answered the call with flying colors with a pair of stellar in-tight saves against Joel Teasdale and Cedric Paquette to keep the game scoreless.
Then the T-Birds' power play, which was 0-for-29 in the series entering Game 7, finally broke through to get the vital first goal of Game 7. Just eight seconds into Springfield's first man-advantage of the night, Matthew Peca curled the puck up from the left circle and snapped a wrist shot over the glove of Cayden Primeau to give the home team the 1-0 edge at 6:45 of the opening frame.
The Rocket would have a seemingly easy chance to tie the score, 1-1, as Alex Belzile fielded a puck in the right circle with nothing standing between him and an empty net. Somehow, the Laval winger pushed the shot off the outside of the net, and Springfield escaped that scare to leave the first period with the 1-0 advantage.
The Thunderbirds' offensive purpose was palpable in a second period that saw them unleash 20 pucks on Primeau in 20 minutes of action. Dakota Joshua finally got Springfield some insurance with a high-rising wrister that went into the top shelf on the glove side to make it 2-0 at 9:33 of the middle period.
Belzile got himself into more trouble when he tripped up Hugh McGing at 12:43, setting the T-Birds up with a third power play in the game. Springfield's newly revived power play made Laval pay again, as Sam Anas and McGing combined to set up Nathan Todd, who patiently held onto the puck in the left circle, waited for Primeau to drop to the butterfly, and elevated a shot into the upper corner on the blocker side to make it 3-0 at 13:31.
Lindgren was locked in late in the period as Laval had its second power-play chance of the night to cut into the lead, but the longtime Laval goaltender had every answer to 13 second-period Rocket attempts. As the third began, Lindgren had one more amazing save in him as he robbed Danick Martel with a seemingly open net early in the third, all but sealing Laval's fate.
Joshua added an empty-netter at 19:18 of the final period to round out the scoring and send Springfield to its first Calder Cup Final in 31 years.
VIP Suites
For a VIP experience in our arena during a Thunderbirds Hockey Game, our VIP Suites are available to book. From incredible views, to a private bar and catering options, this exclusive area is the perfect setting for company outings, parties or gatherings.
The VIP suite features 8 comfortable seats and 4 standing room tickets for a total of 12 guests in the Suite. Work with the MassMutual Center Food & Beverage team to build a custom food and drink menu for your party to enjoy. Any questions, please call the Thunderbirds front office at 413-739-4625 or email tickets@springfieldthunderbirds.com.
Executive Perch
Looking for the perfect setting for your next company party, business meeting, or friends & family gathering?
The Thunderbirds Executive Perch inside the MassMutual Center is the answer for you!
This exclusive, premium location provides comfort and privacy, in addition to catered food and drink packages and 40 tickets. Should your party have more than 40 people, additional Perch tickets may be purchased.
For more information on pricing and availability, contact the Thunderbirds office at (413) 739-4625 or email tickets@springfieldthunderbirds.com.
Prohibited Items
- No Bags, backpacks, or brief cases except for:
1. Clutch/Purse no larger than 5"x 7"
2. Medical Bag
3. Diaper Bag (with child in attendance) - Cameras with interchangeable/detachable lens or external flash (No Professional Photography)
- Audio/Visual Recording Devices (includes GoPro, Google Glass, Spectacles, etc.)
- Selfie Sticks, Tripods, Monopods
- Outside Food, Beverage, or Alcohol
- Cans, Metal/Glass/Plastic Containers, Bottles, or Flasks (empty or sealed bottles included)
- Laptops, Tablets, Personal Computers, or Two-Way Radios
- Weapons, Firearms, Pepper Spray, Pocket Knives or Mace
- Illegal Drugs or Substances
- Flammable Liquids, Aerosol Cans, or Permanent Markers
- Flashlights, Laser Pointers, Flares, or Fireworks
- Noise Making Devices (i.e. Air Horns, whistles, bells, vuvuzelas, etc.)
- Balloons, Balls, Projectiles, or Optical Illusions
- Skateboards, Segways, Scooters, Rollerblades, Bicycles, Hover boards, and Helmets
- Coolers, Ice Chests, Folding Chairs, or Pointed-Tip Umbrellas
- Flowers (unless otherwise permitted by Tour Production)
- Seat Cushions or Booster Seats
- Patrons Without Shoes or Shirt
- Masks, Chains, or Studded Belts/Bracelets
- Drones (without prior written consent from MassMutual Center Management)
- Animals or Pets (accommodations made for trained, harnessed, and housebroken service animals)
- Unapproved Pamphlets, Handouts, Ads, or Flyers without prior consent from Arena Management
- Clothing, garments, or signs displaying explicit language, profanity, or derogatory characterization toward any person(s)
- Signs, Flags, or Banners exceeding 11” x 17” or attached to a pole/stick. Signs must be relevant to event. Signs may not contain or display obscene or offensive language and/or pictures as determined by MassMutual Center Management. Management reserves the right to prohibit or remove a sign or banner at any time.
Terms and Conditions
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ:
ASSUMPTION OF RISK: The Venue operates and maintains its premises to protect against the exposure of the COVID-19 virus in accordance with federal and state guidelines. As noted by government health officials, complete isolation from the virus is impossible. Accordingly, the Venue cannot and does not promise to eliminate the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and cannot and does not promise that the Ticket Holder will not contract COVID-19. The Ticket Holder acknowledges that the Venue has informed him/her that the Venue is not risk-free, that it is possible that the Ticket Holder may contract COVID-19 during his/her presence at the Venue, and that Ticket Holder freely chooses to enter and/or reside in the Venue with awareness of the associated risks.
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