By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
The Providence Bruins clinched the American Hockey League’s best record in 2026 by recording 110 points. Providence had to wait for its Division Semifinals opponent for the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs to be determined, which would be the Atlantic Division’s lowest remaining seed. Now, Providence has a confirmed opponent.
Providence will be playing the Springfield Thunderbirds in the best-of-five Division Semifinals series. Springfield rallied after losing Game 1 to win the next two games in its three-game series against the Charlotte Checkers, setting up a matchup with Providence, as the team is the Atlantic Division’s sixth seed.
In Charlotte tonight for Game 3 at Bojangles Coliseum, Springfield trailed 1-0 heading into the second intermission. At 5:45 of the third period, Aleksanteri Kaskimaki tied the game at one for Springfield, and overtime would be needed to determine the series. With 5:06 remaining in overtime, Julien Gauthier scored the game-winning goal to give Springfield the series win. Springfield goaltender Georgi Romanov made 34 crucial saves to help his team advance. Springfield finished with 21 fewer points than Charlotte in the regular season, but capped off the upset win in the series.
Springfield may be the team Providence worries most about facing in the Division Semifinals. While Providence won seven of the 12 meetings during the regular season, the five losses against Springfield were the most that they suffered against any AHL team this season.
Providence won three of the first four meetings against Springfield to begin the season, with the fourth meeting being a 7-1 win at MassMutual Center on Dec. 27. Then, Springfield won four of the next eight meetings against Providence. After the Dec. 27 meeting, Providence never scored four goals or more against Springfield over the next eight meetings.
Providence won 1-0 against Springfield in the last meeting of the season on April 12 at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Riley Tufte scored the only goal, and goaltender Michael DiPietro recorded a 20-save shutout to help Providence earn the home win.
Springfield has already completed a series upset against Charlotte. Now, Springfield will be eager to do the same against Providence, a team that recorded 38 more points than them in the regular season. However, Providence has shown why the team finished with the AHL’s best record in 2026.
DiPietro won the 2026 AHL MVP behind his incredible 34 wins, 1.91 GAA, and .930 save percentage, and Providence’s depth up front was solid throughout the season. Georgii Merkulov led Providence with 37 assists and 61 points this season, and Tufte’s 32 goals led the team. Forward and captain Patrick Brown recorded 54 points, and his +36 rating led the team. Matej Blumel recorded 52 points to add solid depth.
Providence and Springfield faced each other last year in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, with Providence winning the series in three games. Another competitive series can be expected between Providence and Springfield for the second consecutive year.
Providence vs Springfield Schedule
Game 1: Friday | May 1 @ Amica Mutual Pavilion, 7:05 p.m. ET puck drop
Game 2: Sunday | May 3 | @ Amica Mutual Pavilion, 7:05 p.m. ET puck drop
Game 3: Tuesday | May 5 | @ MassMutual Center, 7:05 p.m. ET puck drop
Game 4: Thursday | May 7 | @ MassMutual Center, 7:05 p.m. ET puck drop*
Game 5: Saturday | May 9 | @ Amica Mutual Pavilion, 7:05 p.m. ET puck drop*
* If necessary
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