By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
After getting rest for round one of the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs as the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy winners, the Providence Bruins finally got to hit the ice for their Division Semifinals series against the Springfield Thunderbirds. Heading into the best-of-five series, there was reason to worry about how Providence would fare against Springfield, considering the five losses to them were the most the team had against any American Hockey League team this season, and it continued to do so at the start of the playoffs.
Springfield won 3-2 in Game 1 over Providence at Amica Mutual Pavilion to take a 1-0 series lead. Despite an early lead, Providence, not playing since April 18, showed rust throughout the game.
First Period
Forward Drew Callin only played in four games with the Bridgeport Islanders during the AHL season. On April 24, Providence signed Callin to a PTO contract. In his first game with Providence, Callin made an immediate impact in his first shift when he scored an unassisted goal just 3:12 into the first period. However, Callin’s goal would be the only one as Providence scored, and Springfield dominated the rest of the period.
Springfield had a 5-on-3 power play for 20 seconds after Providence defensemen Frederic Brunet and Ty Gallagher were each called for penalties. After failing to convert on the 5-on-3 power play, Akil Thomas capitalized for Springfield on the 5-on-4 power play to tie the game at one. Springfield finished the period outshooting Providence 11-5, and the game was tied 1-1 heading into the first intermission.
Second Period
Providence remained flat in the second period, failing to convert on both of its power play opportunities. While Providence struggled, Springfield picked up where it left off in the first period. Five seconds after Providence successfully killed off defenseman Christian Wolanin’s tripping penalty, Thomas Bordeleau scored 3:40 into the third period to give Springfield a 2-1 lead.
Springfield goaltender Georgi Romanov was solid with stopping all eight Providence shots on goal in the period to keep his team in front. Springfield led 2-1 heading into the second intermission. Providence goaltender Michael DiPietro made 18 saves through two periods.
Third Period
Like the second period, Springfield scored an early goal to begin the third period. Just 3:21 into the period, forward Dylan Peterson scored to extend Springfield’s lead to 3-1. Springfield forward Dillon Dube recorded his second assist of the game on Peterson’s goal to be the only player in Game 1 to finish with a multi-point game.
With 37 seconds remaining in regulation, Providence forward Matej Blumel scored a power play goal to cut the deficit to 3-2. However, a Providence comeback wasn’t meant to be. Romanov was excellent with 24 saves to earn his third consecutive playoff win, while DiPietro made 23 saves in the loss.
Providence and Springfield will resume their series on Sunday night at Amica Mutual Pavilion for Game 2, with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET. Springfield has a chance to sweep the series over Providence in three games at the MassMutual Center if they win Game 2. If Providence wins Game 2, the series will go at least four games.
Leave a Reply