Dean's OT Game-Winner Gives Springfield 2-1 Series Lead In Atlantic Semifinals

Springfield Thunderbirds/St. Louis Blues forward Zach Dean (52) plays the puck against the San Jose Sharks during a game at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. (Source: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports)

The Springfield Thunderbirds beat the Providence Bruins 3-2 after overtime to take a 2-1 lead in the Atlantic Division Semifinals in the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs.

After being outshot 13-5 in the opening 14:57 of the game, Springfield scored after a shot by Chris Wagner was denied by Providence goalie and AHL All-Star Michael DiPietro, but the MVP netminder was initially unaware of the rebounded puck in the crease, allowing defenseman Calle Rosen to shoot the loose puck into the goal for a 1-0 lead for the T-Birds. However, in the final 2:41 of the frame, the Bruins wiped out the lead immediately by first getting an equalizer from Matthew Poitras, and then a go-ahead power play goal off the first shot in the man-advantage with 4.7 seconds left in the period.

Early in the second frame, Rosen would strike with his and Springfield's second goal of the game with a laser from the left faceoff zone, leveling the game at 2-2. Apart from that, the second period remained relatively even with the T-Birds just barely outshooting the Bruins 11-8. Each team went 0-for-1 in the power play in the period with Springfield putting up one shot and Providence with two in theirs.