Springfield Thunderbirds Season Thread

[theohall]

T-Birds will face Charlotte in the Atlantic Division Final beginning Sunday. Springfield won season series 5-2-0-0.

[theohall]

T-Birds took 1-0 series lead with a 6-0 drubbing of Charlotte. Hofer named first star for the 35 save shutout.

Scoring:
Todd from Lyle and Bitten PPG
Anas on a Penalty Shot
Anas from Peca and Lyle
MacEachern from Bitten and Cross
Kostin from Peca and Wesley
Tucker from Peca and Anas

[theohall]

T-Birds took a 2-0 series lead with a 4-3 win over Charlotte. James Neal scored the GWG with 5 seconds remaining in the 3rd period on a 4-on-3 power play. Lyle's 3 assists were his first assists in the playoffs. Springfield is currently 5-0 in the playoffs this season. Springfield only managed 23 shots on goal to the Checkers 50 who came out firing after being shutout in the opener.

Scoring:
Cross from Todd and Alexandrov
Lyle from Anas and Neal PPG
Bitten from Kostin and Lyle
Neal from Lyle and Anas

Hofer stopped 47 of 50 shots. 1 of the goals allowed was a PPG. Hofer was named 2nd star.

[theohall]

Springfield thundered past Charlotte with a 5-1 win to complete a series sweep while staying undefeated in the playoffs. Springfield will face Laval in the Eastern Conference Final beginning Saturday June 4th.

Scoring:
Alexandrov unassisted
McGing from Kostin and Hofer PPG
Neal from Todd
Joshua unassisted
MacEachern from Joshua ENG

Hofer stopped 34 if 35 shots earning the #1 Star.

If Hofer isn't backing up Binnington next season, I'll be surprised. His assist was a 2 line pass to Kostin who was at the offensive blue line.

[theohall]

T-Birds continued their unbeaten streak in the playoffs with a 2-1 come from behind OT win over Laval.

Scoring:
Lyle from Neal and Todd
OT winner Peca from Kessel and Cross

Hofer 41 saves on 42 shots continuing his outstanding playoff run. Hofer has a .965 SV% in the playoffs and has faced at least 35 shots in all 5 of his starts.

[theohall]

What Hofer is doing now is what will allow the Blues to let Husso walk. Right now, he is Springfield's playoff MVP.

[theohall]

Chucky Sideburns broke the T-Birds unbeaten streak in the playoffs taking a 4-2 loss to Laval. Guessing Hofer gets the next game. 1st playoff game Springfield outshot their opponent in the playoffs, but come away with a loss. Shots were 36 for Springfield and 26 for Laval. Lindgren not being sharp is what happens when a goalie doesn't start or play in any games for 2 weeks.

Scoring:
MacEachern from Bitten and Joshua
Kostin from McGing

Lindgren 22 saves on 26 shots.

[glen a richter]

What Hofer is doing now is what will allow the Blues to let Husso walk. Right now, he is Springfield's playoff MVP.

I alluded to this one of the other threads, but building on it with this... if Hofer is ready to step in and they let Husso walk Edmonton is a great destination for him. I think I'd be comfortable with a Binner/Hofer or a Binner/Lindgren duo next season and use one of the draft picks this year on a goalie.

[theohall]

Bolduc has joined the T-Birds for the remainder of the AHL playoffs.

[theohall]

Former Canadiens draft pick Will Bitten scores 4 as Springfield takes 2-1 series lead with a 6-3 road win in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final

Scoring:
Todd from Alexandrov
McGing from Joshua and MacEachern
Bitten from Santine and MacEachern
Bitten from MacEachern and Joshua
Bitten from Alexandrov
Bitten unassisted (ENG)

Hofer stopped 37 of 40 and remains unbeaten in the playoffs with a .958 SV%

Next 2 games are Friday and Saturday @ Laval

[theohall]

Scary situation for Luke Witkowski from Game 1 I hadn't heard about.

Witkowski narrowly avoids life threatening injury

[glen a richter]

Scary situation for Luke Witkowski from Game 1 I hadn't heard about.

Witkowski narrowly avoids life threatening injury

Holy crap Glad he escaped a worse fate.

[theohall]

Springfield lost 3-2 in OT tonight to Laval. Series is tied 2-2. Game 5 is Saturday night at Laval. Springfield needs to get their power play working which hasn't scored a single marker in 18 attempts in this series. One of the few times T-Birds scored first in the playoffs, only time in this series, but they weren't able to close it out. They also need more than one line scoring.

Scoring:
MacEachern from Bitten and Joshua
Joshua from MacEachern and Lyle

Hofer stopped 48 of 51 shots taking his first loss of the playoffs. Laval's 1st goal of the game was on a 5-on-3 power play. That PPG is the only PPG scored so far in this series. Going to need to find video, because looking at the scoresheet, craziness ensued after Laval scored the game-winner in OT, including Hofer getting a Spearing Major.

[theohall]

Springfield won win 3-2 in OT to take a 3-2 series lead with a potential series deciding Game 6 at home on Monday.

Scoring:
Todd from Neal and Santini
Joshua from Rosen and Bitten
Neal from Peca and Lyle at 18:35 of OT

Lindgren stopped 25 of 27 and one was a PPG. First time in the playoffs T-Birds allowed less than 35 shots, but once again, Laval scored first. Seems like Springfield needs to be behind early to sort out their game.

[theohall]

T- Birds going to Game 7 after losing 5-1 to Laval. T- Birds power play should have been the difference but failed to score again and has yet to score 1 power play goal 6 games into this series. First playoff game Hofer had a sub 900 SV% giving up 4 goals on 30 shots. Basically, the T-Birds defense broke down enough tonight it was beyond Hofer's ability to save them.

The 5-1 is a bit exaggerated by 1 ENG and 1 PPG in the last minute.

[theohall]

T-Birds and Rocket faceoff in Game 7 tonight to decide who plays Chicago for the Calder Cup.

[theohall]

Springfield advanced to the Calder Cup Final with a 4-0 win over Laval. Lindgren got the shutout along with the T-Birds finally scoring on the power play for the first time in the series. Dominant effort from start to finish from the T-Birds.

Scoring:
Peca from Rosen and Neal PPG
Joshua from Bitten and Cross
Todd from McGing and Anas PPG
Joshua from Rosen ENG

Lindgren 34 saves for the shutout.

[theohall]

Matt Kessel's 1st goal in the AHL was the OT winner in Game 1 of the Calder Cup Final. Springfield rallied from 2 down in the 3rd to win 5-4. Acquiring Bitten looks like a brilliant move given how well he's produced ever since arriving in Springfield.

Scoring:
McGing from Rosen and Peca PPG
Peca from Lyle and Bitten
Cross from Neal and Peca
Lyle from Joshua and Bitten
Kessel from Neal and Cross

Lindgren stopped 33 of 37. 2 allowed were PPGs. Chicago was 2 for 3 on the power play.

T-Birds went 1 for 5 on the power play. If Springfield can get more from their power play, they should win the Calder Cup.

[theohall]

T-Birds lost to the Wolves 6-2 in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Final. Series is tied 1-1. Games 3 thru 5 are Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at Springfield.

Scoring:
Rosen from Anas and Kostin PPG
Bitten from Joshua and MacEachern

Hofer stopped 35 of 41. 2 allowed were PPGs.

[theohall]

Chicago shutout Springfield 4-0 taking a 2-1 series lead.

Lindgren stopped 30 of 33. 1 allowed was on the power play.