AHL Game Recap: Springfield on the Verge of Advancing Following OT Win Against Providence

The Springfield Thunderbirds and Providence Bruins met in game three tonight. The best-of-five series was tied 1-1. The series has now shifted to the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA. Georgi Romanov got the start for Springfield. In the playoffs, he is 3-1-0 with a 1.66 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage. Michael DiPietro is 1-1-0 with a 2.06 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage.

Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster

Providence Bruins vs. Springfield Thunderbirds

First Period

The Thunderbirds came out firing with the first three shots on goal in the first four minutes. Providence then woke up with five straight shots on goal of their own. The Bruins and Thunderbirds each got called for a penalty, as Simon Robertsson was called for unsportsmanlike conduct and Riley Duran was called for roughing. Providence got a power play after both were out of the box, as Zach Dean went for hooking. Providence then took over with eight straight shots on goal before Chris Wagner broke that stretch.

Calle Rosen scored to give Springfield a 1-0 lead. After a few shots from Providence, Matthew Poitras tied the game at 1-1. Dillon Dube went to the box for tripping with 54 seconds left. Providence would break the tie with a power play goal as Riley Tufte scored to make it 2-1, and that was the score after 20 minutes. Providence outshot Springfield 17-9 in the first 20 minutes.

Second Period 

The middle period was quiet, with each team registering a shot on goal in the first four minutes. Springfield would tie the game up as Rosen scored his second of the game to make it 2-2. Providence had two power play chances in the period, but they couldn’t convert, and the period ended with the game tied 2-2. Springfield outshot Providence 2-2.

Third Period

In the final 20 minutes, just over a minute in, Springfield got a power play chance as Dean went to the box for high-sticking, but the Thunderbirds killed it off. Springfield dominated the third, even getting a power play chance as Ty Gallagher went to the box for tripping. The Thunderbirds just couldn’t break through, and the game went to overtime tied 2-2. Springfield outshot Providence 12-8 in the final period.

Overtime

Providence came out roaring, but 3:45 into overtime, Springfield scored to come away with the win as Dean scored to make it 3-2.

Wrap Up

Romanov stopped 33 of the 35 shots he faced, finishing as the third star. DiPietro stopped 31 of the 34 shots he faced. Dean, with his game-winning goal, was the first star. Rosen, with his two goals, was the second star.

Next Up

The next game will be on Thursday night at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA. Springfield can advance with a win while Providence looks to return home for a winner-take-all game five. Puck drop is set for 7:05 PM EST.