AHL Playoff Recap: Springfield Stays Alive

Originally posted on Inside The Rink | By Chris Lavallee | Last updated Apr 24, 2026 11:19 PM ET

The Springfield Thunderbirds entered tonight in a win-or-go-home situation against the Charlotte Checkers in the first round of the playoffs. The Checkers dominated game one with an 8-1 rout of Springfield. Tonight, Georgi Romanov got the start. Romanov didn’t suit up for the game. In the regular season, he went 9-12-4 with a 3.29 goals-against average, a .896 save percentage, and a shutout. Charlotte countered with Cooper Black, who got the start in game one, stopping 18 of the 19 shots he faced

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Springfield Thunderbirds vs. Charlotte Checkers

First Period

Charlotte came out ready to put Springfield away with two shots on goal in the first two minutes. The Checkers would strike first as Trevor Carrick scored his first of the playoffs. Springfield then came alive but couldn’t find the back of the net. Charlotte led 1-0 after 20 minutes and outshot Springfield 8-6.

Second Period

Charlotte came out firing in the second with four shots on goal before the two-minute mark. Springfield then got the first power play as Carrick went to the box for roughing. Charlotte killed the penalty off. Springfield, just before eight minutes in, tied the game as Wyatt Newpower scored to make it 1-1. Less than a minute later, Charlotte was back on top as Ludvig Jansson scored his first of the playoffs to make it 2-1. Not long after, Robert Mastrosimone went to the box for roughing. Springfield also had two go to the box as Chris Wagner and Calle Rosen each went. Wagner for roughing and Rosen for tripping.

Charlotte had the man advantage for 30 seconds before Jansson went to the box for high-sticking. All the penalties were killed off. Springfield started putting pressure on the Checkers and would tie it up as Zach Dean scored to make it 2-2. It was his first of the playoffs. It took 14 seconds after the goal for Springfield to go back on the man advantage as Brian Pinho went to the box for tripping. 35 seconds later, and Thunderbirds captain Chris Wagner gave them their first lead of the series, now leading 3-2. That’s how the period would end with Charlotte outshooting Springfield 14-11.

Third Period

The majority of the third period was relatively quiet, but in the final five minutes, things got chaotic, breaking Springfield’s way. Dean went to the box with just over three minutes left for tripping. Hugh McGing would provide a shorthanded goal for the Thunderbirds to make it 4-2. Just over a minute later, Wagner scored his second of the game to put things away. Charlotte outshot the Thunderbirds 9-6 in the final 20 minutes.

Wrap Up

Romanov stopped 29 of the 31 shots he faced. Black stopped 18 of the 22 shots he faced. Wagner was the first star with his two goals and an assist. McGing was the second star with a goal and an assist. Dean was the third star with a goal.

Next Up

The Springfield Thunderbirds and Charlotte Checkers meet tomorrow for a winner-take-all game three with puck drop at 7:00 PM EST.

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This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

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