T-Birds Advance to Face Penguins in Atlantic Division Finals
Published on May 7, 2026 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Thunderbirds News Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - After finishing the biggest series upset in Calder Cup Playoff history by point differential, the red-hot Springfield Thunderbirds have punched their ticket to the Atlantic Division Finals, where they will face the number-two seeded Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a best-of-five series.
Steve Ott's T-Birds, who finished 38 points behind the Providence Bruins in the regular season standings, knocked off the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy winners in a four-game series to advance to the Atlantic Division Finals for the first time since 2022.
The T-Birds will open the series in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza. The full series schedule can be seen below:
Game 1 @ Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza - Tuesday, May 12 at 7:05 p.m.
Game 2 @ Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza - Thursday, May 14 at 7:05 p.m.
Game 3 @ MassMutual Center - Tuesday, May 19 at 7:05 p.m.
Game 4* @ MassMutual Center - Thursday, May 21 at 7:05 p.m.
Game 5* @ Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza - Saturday at May 23, 6:05 p.m.
*Games 4 & 5 only to be played if necessary*
The Penguins earned their spot in the Atlantic Division Finals after eliminating the Hershey Bears in four games. This series marks the second time the T-Birds and Penguins will face off in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Springfield completed a three-game sweep of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the 2022 Atlantic Division Semifinals, a series most remembered for Joel Hofer's goalie goal in Game 2 in Springfield on May 12, 2022.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton won three of the four meetings with Springfield during the regular season, but the T-Birds won the latest battle between the clubs, 5-4, on March 4 at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza. The Penguins' 101 points during the regular season was third in the AHL behind only Providence and Grand Rapids.
The series features a tantalizing goaltending matchup between two Russian-born backstops playing at an extremely high level. Since taking over the Springfield net for Game 2 of its First Round series in Charlotte, Georgi Romanov has been the T-Birds' most valuable asset, going 5-1 with a 1.42 goals-against average and .954 save percentage in six starts.
Penguins' rookie netminder Sergei Murashov was named to the AHL's All-Rookie Team after posting a 24-9-4 record during the regular season. He led all rookie goalies with a 2.20 goals-against average and posted a .919 save percentage in 38 games. Murashov won both his starts against Springfield during the regular season, allowing just four goals on 59 shots.
Fans can secure their Game 3 and Game 4 tickets at the Thunderdome right now by visiting www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com or by calling (413) 739-GOAL (4625).
Thunderbirds' Pay As We Play playoff plans are also available now for no upfront cost and ensure your seat for all T-Birds Calder Cup playoff games. In addition, 2026-27 season tickets are available now - fans can order now by visiting www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com or by calling (413) 739-GOAL (4625).
American Hockey League Stories from May 7, 2026
- Pens Win Series against Bears with 4-1, Game 4 Victory - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- P-Bruins Season Ends in Overtime Loss to Thunderbirds - Providence Bruins
- Romanov, Dube's Heroics Complete Series Upset of Bruins - Springfield Thunderbirds
- T-Birds Advance to Face Penguins in Atlantic Division Finals - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Penguins Reveal Atlantic Division Final Schedule - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Pacific Division Semifinals Preview, Game 4 - 5/7 - Ontario Reign
- Atlantic Division Semifinals Game 4 Preview: Bears vs. Penguins, 7 p.m. - Hershey Bears
- Penguins Sign 2025 First-Rounder Bill Zonon to ATO - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Griffins Defeat Moose to Capture 2-1 Series Lead - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Miner Earns Third Shutout of Playoffs in Eagles 4-0 Win in Game Three - Colorado Eagles
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