Calder Cup Playoffs: Springfield Staves Off Elimination, Forces Game 5 Against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins couldn't eliminate the Springfield Thunderbirds on Thursday.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton had a chance to eliminate Springfield in Game 4 of the Atlantic Division Final on Thursday night, but it wasn't meant to be. It looked like WBS took the lead in the first period with a goal by Harrison Brunicke but it was disallowed due to goalie interference. The officials felt that Gabe Klassen made contact with Springfield goaltender Georgii Romanov and took the goal away.
However, Inside AHL Hockey's Tony Androckitis noticed via replay that it was Romanov who swept Klassen's leg at the top of the crease. Take a look: Complete & utter nonsense from AHL officiating yet again in these 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs. Thunderbirds goalie Georgii Romanov sweeps the leg of Gabe Klassen atop the crease & they call off the goal due to goaltender interference.
Maybe @DarrenDreger can ask the AHL about it. pic. twitter.
com/zQ7fdN5aPM — Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) May 21, 2026 WBS lost all the momentum after that disallowed goal and couldn't get back to its game. Springfield eventually opened the scoring in the second period, thanks to Dillon DUbe. He scored a power play goal with less than four minutes left in the middle frame.