AHL MVP, Providence Goalie DiPietro's 27-Save Game Evens Atlantic Division Semifinals
Providence/Boston Bruins goaltender Michael DiPietro (80) makes a save during a game against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Source: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images) The Providence Bruins beat the Springfield Thunderbirds 2-1 to level the Atlantic Division Semifinals 1-1 in the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs. After Providence started out slow and put up only one shot before the 4:23 mark of the first period, they would outshoot Springfield 7-2 for the next 4:24 minutes including putting the game-opening goal by forward Matej Blumel.
However, a lapse of discipline would cost the Bruins as a Thunderbirds man-advantage off a tripping penalty would convert into a goal by forward Dillon Dube. Providence would finish the final 8:15 minutes of the frame outshooting Springfield 5-1 and eventually pocketing the game-winning goal. In the second period, while the Bruins outshot the T-Birds 12-6, no team scored.
Both teams went 0-for-4 on the man-advantage in this frame. Springfield came shot out of a cannon in the final period, scoring 10 of the first 11 shots in the top 10:50 minutes of frame aided by two power plays. Yet, the T-Birds could not find the all-important equalizer.
With the extra attacker in the end, the T-Birds showered Bruins goalie and AHL All-Star Micheal DiPietro with four shots in a span of 20 seconds but the AHL MVP stood strong and got Providence the series-leveling win. Providence goalie DiPietro made 27 saves off 28 shots for a save percentage of 0. 964.
Springfield goalie Georgi Romanov made 29 saves off 31 shots for a save percentage of 0. 935.