
Thunderbirds vs. Laval Rocket
Eastern Conference Finals Game 6
Thunderbirds vs. Laval Rocket
Eastern Conference Finals Game 6
LAVAL, QC - The Springfield Thunderbirds came back from 2-0 down late in the second period to stun the Laval Rocket, 3-2, in overtime on Saturday night in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Thunderbirds now lead in the series, three games to two with a chance to clinch a berth in the Calder Cup Finals on Monday night in Game 6.
Penalty troubles would haunt the T-Birds in the first period, as Springfield was forced to go to three penalty kills in period one after having only two shorthanded situations in Game 4. The second of those three resulted in just the second power-play goal of the series, a redirection by Rafael Harvey-Pinard off a Sami Niku point wrister at 11:32 of the period to make it 1-0 Laval.
Charlie Lindgren drew the netminding assignment in Game 5, and after Laval made it 1-0, the Rocket had a glorious chance to make it 2-0 as Joel Teasdale found Jesse Ylonen with a perfect 2-on-1 saucer pass. With the net seemingly empty, Lindgren found a way to extend his left foot to get a piece of the shot and keep the deficit at just one goal heading into the second.
Harvey-Pinard's red hot series continued with a bit of lady luck in period two, when the pesky winger found a loose puck to the right of Lindgren's crease in the left-wing circle. With no real shooting angle, Harvey-Pinard elected to whip a hard pass through the crease, which deflected off a T-Birds' skate and into the vacated net to make it 2-0 Laval at the 12:05 mark of the middle period.
Despite continued hard times for the man advantage, Springfield's 5-on-5 unit finally solved Laval goalie Cayden Primeau at 16:03 as James Neal set up Nathan Todd for a one-timer from high in the right-wing circle. Todd's second goal in three games gave Springfield further life to make it 2-1 heading into the final period, and the T-Birds had another golden opportunity presented when Alex Belzile was whistled for a trip in the closing seconds of period two, giving the Springfield man advantage a crack at tying the game to start the third.
Springfield's man-advantage still was not able to find the mark, and the Rocket clung to the one-goal lead into the final five minutes.
The T-Birds got rewarded with their own puck luck at 15:36 when Dakota Joshua cut through the slot and fired a shot that ricocheted off a defenseman and skipped through Primeau to tie the game, 2-2.
The two teams traded dangerous chances throughout the first overtime period, with Primeau coming up with two point-blank saves on Todd and James Neal, while Lindgren answered with a breakaway blocker denial on J-S Dea.
With time dwindling on the first overtime period, Neal then played the hero role, taking a feed in the right-circle from Matthew Peca and elevating it through Primeau to give Springfield its second overtime win in the series, 3-2. It was "the Real Deal's" first goal of the series and his second point of Game 5.
The Thunderbirds can clinch the Eastern Conference title on Monday, June 13 in Game 6 of the series.
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.
For rates and availability, please call 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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